Sole Proprietors

Here's where you'll find information about the simplest business structure for a one-person business, the sole proprietorship. Learn how sole proprietorships are created, who can own a sole proprietorship, how they are taxed, and the risks of running a sole proprietorship.

We have books, forms, and online applications to help you create and run your business. For a complete list of our products for starting and running your small business, see the Small Business Products page.

Don't neglect or put off registering your fictitious business name or dba.

Find out when an EIN is required for a sole proprietor--and why it's usually a good idea to get one anyway.

A sole proprietorship is a one-person business that, unlike corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs), doesn't have to register with the state in order to exist.

Sole proprietors do not need an Employment Identification Number, unless certain issues arise.

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Learn what it means to be a sole proprietor and what local registration, business license, and permit laws you may need to comply with.

Find out how pass-through taxation works and learn about other tax issues unique to sole proprietors.

Make sure you understand the rules on paying estimated taxes if you're a sole proprietor.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Manage the legal and tax affairs of your LLC with this set of books. Form and operate your LLC with Nolo's LLC Handbook. Understand LLC taxation with Tax Saavy for Small Business.
Use this pair of Nolo’s bestselling business books to answer your routine legal questions and guide you in filling out the forms, documents, and contracts needed to run your day-to-day operations.
Our form provides everything you need to establish the internal rules of your limited liability company.
Building Your Business is Expensive. Launching Your LLC Shouldn't Be.

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

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Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

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