A Business Question

[Carl Meyer]

Many years ago, here in California, I was walking thru the city hall and saw
a window with a sign saying "Business licenses $30".  So, I asked the guy
"what do I get for my $30?'.  He looked at me like he couldn't believe I'd
ask that and said "You don't get anything for that.  It's a tax!"  I laughed
and walked out.

After being in business for 8 years they caught me.  So I got a license.
Every year I pay $20 plus $15 for a fire inspection.  I think its been 20
years and except for the initial inspection I've never seen an inspector.

They caught me since I had a sellers permit from the state and those guys
talk to each other.

FWIW  I think Nevada is the only state that refuses to share info about its
citizens with the federal government.  No wonder the feds keep hassling
Nevada.

Carl Meyer  Assoc. PTG
Santa Clara, California
cmpiano@attbi.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Greene" <greeneguy63@mindspring.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: A Business Question


> It is a huge headache, but in Tennessee, one has to register with the city
> and county so that you can pay the taxes that are owed to them.  As far as
I
> can tell, I am receiving little in return for my tax investment.  I was
late
> one day paying my taxes and had to pay over $50.00 in late fees.  I wish I
> had never registered as a small business because the county sold my name
to
> telemarketers and now the phone rings off the wall...just not tuning
> clients!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Tvak@AOL.COM>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2001 2:11 PM
> Subject: A Business Question
>
>
> > My bank has been grumbling about the number of checks I deposit,
> suggesting I
> > might need to open a business checking account.  Since personal accounts
> are
> > free, and since I do business under my own name, I'm not eager to do
this.
> I
> > would have to register as a business with the county first.  (I did
> actually
> > a register as a small business with the county when I started out, but I
> no
> > longer use that company name.)  For years, as a pianist I collected
checks
> > from various parties and it never occurred to me to register as a
> business.
> > I play the piano, they pay me.  Now I tuned the piano, they pay me.  Why
> > bother registering as a small business?  They write a check to me, and I
> > deposit it in my checking account.
> >
> > Where I live you must register a business with the county to get a
listing
> in
> > the Yellow Pages.  My registration under the previous company name
> qualifies
> > me even though I am now listed just by my name.  I'm not really
interested
> in
> > going through the expense and hassle of registering as a business again.
> >
> > If I may ask, how many of you have registered as a small business?  Is
> there
> > any advantage or disadvantage to being a small business versus an
> individual?
> >  Are taxes handled the same way?
> >
> > BTW, with tax season coming up, can any of you in the Chicago area
> recommend
> > a good tax guy who is familiar with tuner's deductions, expenses, etc.?
> >
> > Thanks for any advice,
> > Tom Sivak
>
>