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Beyond that, I have no idea.

Have been doing this for 15+ years and when I first called the City of Portland, they said no, but they have since changed their lawa and now I need one.   Pay a percentage of what I make per year on the net.  But each city could be different but if you want all the advantages of being a business with write-off's etc. you gotta pay.  I have absolutely no traffice to my house,. my subs work in their own home but still need a City of Portland busoiness license.   Sorry if I made typo's as I am typing without my reading glasses -- kind of like being blind.  

Patti

PS check with your state about registering your name of business also.

You'll probably need an Occupational License if you'll be filing as self employed on your 1040.  Check with your local state or city tax department.  I live in Florida and I'm required to have an OL from both my county and my city and both must be renewed yearly.

You need to check with your city and state to see what you need.  Portland, OR tried to crack down on some IC's especially if you declare yoursef as a small business.  16 years ago they said no, now they say yes.  I just did it this year to be safe and legal.  I also registered the name of my company with the state.   Good luck. 

When you buy software you buy the license to use it. You can use Instant Text  on more than one computer if you are the only user.

You can transfer your Instant Text license to another person (sell the software) by notifying Textware Solutions - once you sold IT - that you are no longer using the software and that you transfer your software license (which includes tech support) to the new user providing name and email of the new user.

The new user should make sure she/he gets the media, the book, and the registration number which is necessary to receive tech support and Upgrade prices on later versions.

Version 1.11 came out in 1996. Nobody is using Windows 3.5 anymore. Why would you buy an obsolete version?

As for Version III Pro, you also will be buying a software that is 10 years old. I know, many Instant Text users are still very happy with it, but they have received the tech support when they needed it, and don't mind that it is not available anymore.

When you look for an expander, consider the quality/price and compatibility equation. You may have to pay more, but you get advanced technology, and compatibility won't be an issue.

I hope this information helps.

Marianne
Textware Solutions

This can be obtained at City Hall for a minimal fee, and then renewed each year according to either city fee or based on gross earnings. Different states and cities have different rules. For example, I am not allowed any foot or car traffic and cannot even post my business name outside on the mailbox. I also had to get my landlord's authorization.

Yes, I require this from transcriptionists. It shows me they are working at a professional level and not just someone setting up shop in their living room, and then recklessly turn in low-quality work, or worse yet pad their invoices repeatedly. It is also required by law. You have to claim your income to the IRS.

If you use your name as your business, then you do not have to file a DBA, but you need a separate bank account for work. I would still file my name if used. Hope this helps.

numbers on the suspended license notice this morning and was told to go to the courthouse, which I did. I told them I was contesting the ticket because it was not me who got it but I know who did get it. I explained what my sister did and the lady told me to go to DMV and file identity fraud charges where I fill out a form saying someone is using my name and give their name if I know who. That's done! She also cleared my name in the computer and gave me a copy of the ticket which says issued in error. The ticket was issued at 3 in the morning so she's lucky she didn't get a DUI on my name. The ticket shows her car and her license plate number. Gee, wonder how that happened? I now have a court hearing middle of September where I explain my case and the officer who wrote the ticket will be there. You can bet I'll be bringing life size photos of her to show that it wasn't me. Now I can breathe again, at least until September.

is warranted...I have absolutely no traffic to my house and I merely work off of computers - I live in Florida so no occupational license is needed for MT work at home.

You will file for the IRS after a year 1099's which you will have to pay taxes on - approximately 30% of what you earn will have to be paid to the IRS.

No question is a dumb question, the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked. 

Best of luck.  I pounded the pavement 10 years ago and still have a bunch of private MDs along with working weekends for a national.

As an IC, you just set your own method of charging/payment, get your work, and go.  Major concern is taxes.  Just be sure you pay taxes on your income.  Personally, I have an accountant and pay quarterly because it's just less worry for me to try to handle my own taxes.  Obviously, that's it in a nutshell, but just need to get some work and get started.

I've decided to get my motorcycle license, already passed my permit test and am starting to learn to ride.  I don't know yet if I'm going to learn on a 350 or a 650, but am starting to get excited.  My state offers a weekend course where you go both days for instruction and training and give your license all in one weekend.  My dad loved motorcycles, my sons both have motorcycles, and now it's my turn.  So, satisfy my curiosity, anyone else have this interest?

For just 25 bucks.  You can renew every year, or decide you would rather pay the X dollars for a license that will not expire.  The 25 a year is best (in my mind) because anymore with license that does not expire can only be used on a single computer and its a hassle, if you have a laptop that you use also - to remove it from one and add to another - and SH has cracked down and gets the computer keys when you purchase the one that does not expire.

With the one for a year, you can put it on your tower, your laptop and then just renew every year, or not. 

I can also help to show you (if you like or need) to turn your autocorrects into ShortHand files. 

www.pcshorthand.com

Good luck!

Michelle,
If you buy a "used" copy of Instant Text, what you are buying is a user license that the seller transfers to you and which means that the seller installs it from her/his computer.
Make sure the seller provides you with the original CD, the manual, and the serial number of the licens.
To be in compliance with the license agreement, the seller of a "used" copy must notify the software publisher about the license transfer so you, the new user, can get tech support.
This may be useful to know whatever you decide to do.

Marianne
Textware Solutions

Michelle,
I meant to say "which means that the seller uninstalls..."

Marianne
Textware Solutions

There are a lot of companies out there that are really just one person who went to their local hospital, got a contract, and are recruiting you and others to work for them.  They have to have a business license because they have employees that get paid by them.  If you are just working for yourself and not hiring anyone to work for you to help you then this is not a concern and you do not need a license.

Most ICs are technically employed by the company even though they are not getting any kind of benefit but work.  There are many people that choose to get a business license because it allows more of their equipment to be written off for tax deduction - however you have to dedicate the space and equipment to just business - nothing personal on the equipment.  I had a friend who tried this with her Mary Kay, she slept on the couch and kept all her clothes in a storage unit she had to visit every morning.  After her taxes and she didn't even get enough of a deduction to reimburse her for the storage locker she gave up and stopped trying to get this deduction.  Without a business license you can still deduct but the percentage is less; compared with the cost of a business license ($50 in my county) it may or may not be worth the expense.

My friend says to setup or download the template for your end of year taxes in excel or get turbo tax (business write-off) and USE IT for every single paycheck you get.  At the end of the year you will probably have to pay money, but turbo tax can estimate that amount and help you set it aside in a savings account so when the tax man cometh you are ready.  This way you also get to accrue interest on your money instead of letting the government "borrow" it for a year interest free by paying taxes on every paycheck.

The only time you need a business license is when you have more than one person working for you - and that one person has to be yourself first.  The business license just allows the government to track your earnings and wages so that they ensure that your employees are paying their taxes and you are paying yours as you should. 

Working as an IC you need to keep careful records, hold on to every paystub and tax return for 7 years (that is the longest the IRS has to audit you, I have shoeboxes they are all stuffed in and taped up, with the year listed, in the back of the closet) in case the man comes calling.  Be aware that your first year you are a prime candidate for audit, so spend the money and have your taxes done by a professional - make sure they are certified - and make sure they have an audit guarantee that they will back up the numbers.  They won't back you up if you lie, but they will back up their work and their math which is usually the thing that is caught as wrong on your returns.  Otherwise you just file your taxes as self-employed and all income you received gets reported like with a business.  The reason you need to make sure your information is accurate is because the employer will report that you received $X amount from them for work completed - the IRS will match these up if you get audited. 

Don't be too scared about it though, my friend works for herself now and she loves it; when I started doing IC she gave me lots of advice for taxes and I haven't regretted it yet.  Accountants will be glad to sit and talk with you, briefly, about any tax questions you might have so don't hesitate to ask the professionals, that is what they are there for!  I'd just wait until May - when the mad tax rush is over :)

VoiceScribe program?  I am offered a position with a company but they only give you a 30-day trial for this program - then after that you have to purchase license for $600.  I just can't afford that right now.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you. 

I got a Brother fax machine several years ago at Office Depot for around $80 or so.  I later got an HP all-in-one in 2005 at Sam's.  I don't remember what it cost, but it's worth it if you'll be faxing regularly.  Some of your clients may prefer a scanned version.

You could also compare on-line fax capabilities, which seems to be more current, for obvious reasons.  I can't remember the details, but I've heard it advertised on talk radio.

Just a thought, especially if you'll be doing this regularly.  Places like the UPS Store, etc. charge a good bit to fax, not to mention the inconvenience of leaving the house to do it.

I received a notice in the mail that my driver's license is suspended. Why? I had no clue. Looked it up on line and apparently I received a speeding ticket for over $200 back in June. Do I remember getting it? No!  Do I know who could've used my name? Of course, I do. My sister is a &*%$*(*%$$&**$%$$(&%$#@$%. I have received 2 tickets exactly one year apart for the same offense and that was in 86-87 (I think) for not wearing a seat belt as a passenger. Only time I get a ticket is when someone else is driving.

I now have to take tomorrow off to clear up my license. Anyone have a clue as to what I need to do? Do I have to pay it? Do I have to file identity fraud charges? If I file the fraud charges, do I still have to pay the ticket? Obviously they didn't use my car to speed in it so I'm sure that her vehicle tag will be listed on the ticket. I have been freaking out since I got the mail today. Am I going to get arrested since I didn't pay it? I don't know, that's why I'm freaking out. My poor dog and kids won't come near me right now because I keep calling my sister and screaming at her through the phone. Stupid &*^&%^ won't pick up her phone.

You might want to check out some of the earlier posts here as the tax issues have been discussed.  You would probably gain information in that respect.  Also, you might want to have an accountant/tax preparer for your first year.  Some say, you can copy the next year from that first year, but I personally believe in having my taxes prepared for me as these guys are up on things, ya' know.  Most definitely though you will want to get your own freestanding PC because down the road you may want to gain some of your own accounts, so you will need that.  You will be fine.  Some of these people act like you out to take their job or something???  Go figure.  There is always one bad apple in the bunch, right?  I learned that in grade school.  Best wishes in your endeavors....