To see larger images, please go to my website: www.outcastgirls.com

To see larger images, please go to my website: www.outcastgirls.com

Sashka Yakimova
www.outcastgirls.com

1. Decide what would be the legal form of your business – Sole Proprietorship, C-Corporation, S-Corporation, LLC, Partnership, etc. A Limited Liability Company has became very popular in recent years because it offers limited liability and avoids double taxation. However,there is a mandatory annual limited liability tax of $800. Check out the different entities here: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business

2. Select your company’s name. To see if the name is available go to:

http://www.lavote.net/clerk/FBN_Search.cfm

3. Download the Fictitious Business Name Statement (DBA – doing Business As) from here: http://www.lavote.net/Clerk/Business_Name.cfm . You can either fill it out in person or mail it to the address provided. The fee is $23.

4. Once you receive the registration, you must publish the FBN statement in a newspaper. Here’s a list of approved newspapers: http://www.lavote.net/Clerk/Newspaper_Circulation.cfm .It costs between $30 and $150 to have it published. Most newspapers offer to fill out the FBN for you and then publish it in their newspaper but this only jacks up the price. File the FBN yourself and save money.

5. Go to http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html and apply for an EIN – Employer Identification Number. You’ll get it instantly. It’s free.

6. Depending on your type of business you may need a special business license/permit. This is where you can find out more: http://www.calgold.ca.gov/

7. Once you have the EIN, and FBN registration you can go ahead and apply for a Seller’s Permit at http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/reg.htm . Scroll down and download BOE 400 SPA. Any business engaged in selling and re-selling in LA (maybe throughout the state) is required to obtain Seller’s Permit. You need to charge a 9.25% sales tax on every product/service you sell. (This is the new sales tax in LA. It varies in different cities in CA)

*Apply for your Reseller’s Permit 30 days prior to starting selling your product. I made the mistake to get it right after obtaining my FBN registration. It’s a mistake because if my business doesn’t generate any income for 6 months, the reseller’s permit will be revoked. Not a big deal because I can always get a new permit, but keep it in mind.

More helpful links:

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/resources.htm

Sashka Yakimova
www.outcastgirls.com