Laws That May Apply
to Your Business
Most localities have registration and licensing requirements that will
apply to you. A license is a formal permission to practice a certain
business activity, issued by local, state or federal government. You may
have the type of business that requires a permit from the local
authorities. There is often a small fee for licenses and permits (usually
$25-$100). A license may require some kind of examination to certify that
the recipient is qualified. Your business name must be registered and a
sales tax number must be obtained. Separate business telephones and bank
accounts are usually required. Of course, you will want to have the latter
anyway for accurate bookkeeping purposes. If you have employees, you are
responsible for withholding income and Social Security taxes. You must
also pay worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance and comply
with
minimum wage and employee health laws. If your operations are
intrastate, you will be concerned primarily with state and local, rather
than federal, licensing. Businesses frequently subject to state or local
control are retail food establishments, drinking places, barber shops,
beauty shops, plumbing firms, and taxi companies. They are primarily
service businesses and are subject to regulations for the protection of
public health and morals. Your attorney can help you make sure you have
complied with all licensing and permit requirements. Depending on your
type of business you may have to comply with building and safety codes,
too.
Think twice about the liabilities of operating without proper licenses
and registrations. If you begin to advertise or are fortunate enough to
``make the news’’ in some way, you will probably hear from a local
official. You will pay with embarrassment, time, and money if your
business is not properly licensed.
If you find legal regulations, permits, and licenses confusing, make
sure you find some way to get the information you need to operate legally.
Get help from your lawyer, accountant, business partner, or even your
local librarian. This is not an aspect of business operations that can be
delayed until you "get around to it" Your business reputation
and financial standing are at stake.
|
Internet Marketing Tools | Marketing Software
© 1998 -2006
WGSjostrom Co., All Rights Reserved. This page can not be altered in any
way. Webmasters and publishers are invited to cut and paste this
document (as long as you include this resource box at the end of this
document) to your web site or electronic newsletter.
Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of
the user of this document. Please do not make any substantial editorial
changes without prior to approval to your publication. Links within the
article and resource box can not be altered, and must be 'clickable' on
a web page, Ezine or in an eBook.
http://www.biznetcenter.com |
|
