How to start a web business

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Hello all,

I hope this is the right place to post.

I am researching to set up my own webmail service for both family, friends, and for the public. I would like to make a small charge for the service thus accept payments (through PayPal). My questions are, if I am starting this business do I need any of the following:

License to perform business?
Charge taxes?
Anything else?
Where can I find resources to help? iSeriesCodePoet
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

This would depend very much on local law.

I'm not sure where you are but in the UK, money dealings through a bank account for a business should be stored in a business account, not a personal one.

Also check out the data protection act, not sure if this will apply to you either. Here, this is required if you are storing other peoples information on a computer.

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.freshlookdesign.co.uk

http://www.freshlookdesign.com

http://www.mailtosanta.co.uk

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change.
The leader adjusts the sails. - John Maxwell

 

[tanderso]

You don't need a "license" to be in business. You can be a sole proprietor, and use your own personal name as your business name. You just have to be sure to file taxes as necessary (probably quarterly to avoid late/underpayment fees). However, if you are a sole proprietor, you risk your own personal assets if your business loses money. Try looking into forming a "limited liability company" or an "s-corp", or equivalent designations if outside the U.S. Usually there is a small fee to pay to your state or local government in order to process this transaction, but then your business will be a new legal entity seperate from yourself.

You generally need to charge sales taxes on anyone who is required to pay them. This usually means any shipping address in any state/country in which you have a physical location (including your home office).

For the specific legal information which applies to you, try your state (or equivalent) government website. They should have information about starting a business and what you need to know to stay legal. Sincerely,

Tom Anderson
Order amid Chaos, Inc.

http://www.oac-design.com

 

[iSeriesCodePoet]

Thanks.... I do live in the US. I forgot to mention that. iSeriesCodePoet
IBM iSeries (AS/400) Programmer