Table of Contents

Your Small Business Start-Up Companion

1. Choosing a Legal Structure

Sole Proprietorships
Partnerships
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Corporations
Choosing the Best Structure for Your Business

2. Picking a Winning Business Name

An Overview of Trademark Law
Trademark Issues Online
Name Searches
Choosing a Domain Name
Trademark Registration
Winning Names for Your Business, Products, and Services

3. Choosing a Business Location

Picking the Right Spot
Complying With Zoning Laws
Commercial Leases

4. Drafting an Effective Business Plan

Different Purposes Require Different Plans
Describing Your Business and Yourself
Making Financial Projections
Break-Even Analysis
Profit/Loss Forecast
Start-Up Cost Estimate
Cash Flow Projection
Putting It All Together
Using Your Plan to Raise Start-Up Money

5. Pricing, Bidding, and Billing Projects

Pricing and Billing for Service Businesses
Bidding and Creating Proposals
Pricing for Businesses Selling Products

6. Federal, State, and Local Start-Up Requirements

Step 1: File Organizational Documents With Your State (Corporations, LLCs, and Limited Partnerships Only)
Step 2: Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number
Step 3: Register Your Fictitious Business Name
Step 4: Obtain a Local Tax Registration Certificate
Step 5: Obtain a State Seller’s Permit
Step 6: Obtain Specialized Licenses or Permits

7. Risk Management

Who Might Sue or Be Sued
Risk Management Strategies
Insurance and Warranties

8. Paying Your Taxes

Tax Basics
Income Taxes for Sole Proprietors
Income Taxes for Partnerships
Income Taxes for LLCs
Estimating and Paying Your Taxes Quarterly
City and County Taxes
Sales Taxes

9. Laws, Taxes, and Other Issues for Home Businesses

Zoning Restrictions
The Home Business Tax Deduction
Risks and Insurance

10. Entering Into Contracts and Agreements

Contract Basics
Using Standard Contracts
How to Draft a Contract
Reading and Revising a Contract
Electronic Contracts

11. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Financial Management

Accounting Basics
Cash vs. Accrual Accounting
Keeping Receipts
Setting Up and Posting to Ledgers
Creating Financial Reports

12. Small Business Marketing 101

Defining Your Market
Learning About Your Market: Market Research
Cost-Effective Marketing Tools

13. Websites and E-Business

Getting Started
Planning and Preparing
Choosing and Working With a Web Developer
Creating Your Website
Domain Names and Hosting
Intellectual Property: Who Owns Your Website?

14. Planning for Changes in Ownership

When You Need a Written Agreement
Buy-Sell Agreement Basics
Limiting Ownership Transfers
Forcing Buyouts
Establishing the Price for Sales
Implementing Buy-Sell Provisions
Sample Buy-Sell Provisions

15. Building Your Business and Hiring Workers

Employees vs. Independent Contractors
Special Hurdles for Employers
Hiring and Managing Staff

16. Getting Professional Help

Working With Lawyers
Working With Accountants and Others
Internet Legal Research

Appendix A: Resources and Contact Information

Small Business Start-Up Information
State Tax Agencies
State Sales Tax or Seller’s Permit Agencies
LLC Offices

Appendix B: How to Use the Forms CD-ROM

Installing the Form Files Onto Your Computer
Using the Word Processing Files to Create Documents
Using IRS Forms
Using the Spreadsheets
List of Forms on the CD-ROM

Appendix C: Tear-Out Forms

Partnership Agreement
Application for Employer Identification Number (IRS Form SS-4)
Instructions for Form SS-4
Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and
Income Tax Withholding (IRS Form SS-8)
Election To Have a Tax Year Other Than a Required Tax Year (IRS Form 8716)
Entity Classification Election (IRS Form 8832)

Index

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