The Small Business Start-Up Kit

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
• Step 1: Keeping and Organizing Receipts
• Step 2: Entering Receipts Into Bookkeeping Software
• Step 3: Generating Financial Reports

12. Small Business Marketing 101

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

13. E-Business: Selling and Marketing Online

• Defining Your Strategy and Goals
• A Website: Your Online Base Camp
• Online Outreach Methods
• E-Commerce: What’s Involved?
• Website Builder Services and Affiliate Stores: Do or Don’t?
• Planning a Website Project
• Choosing and Working With a Web Developer
• Creating a 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 Other Financial Professionals
• Internet Legal Research

Appendixes

A. Small Business Resources and State-by-State

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

B. How to Use the Forms CD-ROM

• Installing the Files Onto Your Computer
• Using the Word Processing Files to Create Documents
• Using Government Forms
• Using the Spreadsheets
• Opening a File

The following spreadsheets are available only on the CD-ROM:

• Cash Flow Projection Worksheet
• Profit/Loss Forecast Worksheet
• Break-Even Analysis Worksheet
• Billable Rate Worksheet
• Warranty Track Worksheet

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