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Last Updated: 5/21/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 98
Sign: Pisces

State: Florida
Country: US
Signup Date: 11/5/2006
February 19, 2008 - Tuesday 

Category: Art and Photography

One of our memebers needs some advice:

"I have a question about pricing and sales tax..and starting your buisness..

BOACKGROUND:I plan on going full speed ahead with my photography buisness this year, as I graduated from college last year with an assiociate's degree majoring in portrait photography. I have booked 4 wedding so far this year, and have alot of people wanting to book for outdoor sessions in the Spring... With Spring approaching quickly, I am frantically trying to set my prices and figure out if I should or need to get a buisness id number, tax id number, and or see an accountant for advice... I will be running the buisness alone, and out of my home, doing on location photography until I can finally afford to open a studio (we are talking years ahead here)....
QUESTION: What are the important things buisness wise I should do?? Is it nesseccary to have a buisenss id? tax id? accountant?? AND, should I charge sales tax on prints? ENDING:This aspect of the business really defers me from wanting to do start a buisiness completely...but, it's my dream, and I have so many people ready to book me asap, it seems to be taking off before I am ready ...( I want to be ready for taxes at the end of the year.. and such)..


Any advice or stories about how you started out in the buisness would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks, Christi"

6:13 AM
 
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©Jennifer Michelle Photography
Jennifer Bennett

 
Hello Christi! Yes, you need a business ID and a sales tax number. Where I live if you are the sole proprioter your business ID is usually your Social Security (except in cases where you have a partner or multiple employees). Your business is the same as every other, the state will see that as income and they are going to want you to pay taxes on those prints. Hope I've helped.
 
Posted by ©Jennifer Michelle Photography on February 19, 2008 - Tuesday - 6:28 PM
[Reply to this] 
Jose Limon Photography
Jose Limon

 
Running a professional studio or any type of business you will need a Business Tax ID number in your city. How it works is you get a city sales tax and a fed sales Tax ID. You have to report each month of the amount of money your business made. I pay taxes every month. So I had to hire an CPA to keep records for me as I hired models and a photo crew to work for me. I need to pay their salary etc..
Only way to find out what you need is to go to your city hall and ask where you can sign up for a business in your town. They will give you papers and ask you questions upon what sort of business your thinking of opening in their town?

Good Luck to you
 
Posted by Jose Limon Photography on February 19, 2008 - Tuesday - 6:48 PM
[Reply to this] 
www.dlynchphoto.net

 
As has already been stated, you will need a Fed. Tax ID, and possibly a state CRS number. You will also need to apply for a business license, which here in NM was very easy. I would also tell you to look into getting your business set up as an LLC. You will also want to get inland/marine insurance on all your camera gear, liability insurance, and you may want to look at joining PPA along with your state PPA association. PPA gives you a E&O policy of up to $30K. I run my business out of my home as most of my shots are done on location. There is a lot to think about and do when starting your own business...I would talk to an accountant or attorney to see what you need to set up in your state if you do not have a clear understanding. Hope this helps.
 
Posted by www.dlynchphoto.net on February 19, 2008 - Tuesday - 8:03 PM
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