Anyone know where I file to get one of these. I found a caterer willing to rent space to me, but now what? I know I have to file a dba with the county, get my liability insurance, and call the ag dept for an inspection, but where do I file to get a tax id number? Am I forgetting anything else? I live in Michigan and have never done this before. TIA

It's best to work with a CPA and a paralegal to get your business started with all the proper documentation. They'll know exactly what documents you need, where you need to send them, etc. It costs a bit upfront, but it's so much better to start off properly and not have to go back and try to fix things.

If you're just operating as a sole proprietorship, your SSN is your tax id number. All profits and losses of the business are your personal profits and losses. But you'll need a seperate number for your business if you want to take advantage of any wholesale deals, business-only opportunities, business-to-business companies, and the like. Your cpa will be able to offer advice which method of incorporation will be best for your circumstances. I'm an S-corp, but I'll bet a lot of bakers are LLCs.

Ditto
my accountant takes care of that for me. My accountant charges me $70 month to do sales tax and payroll tax for me and answers questions I have. At the end of the year I do my own taxes on Taxcut
mpc

They are probably asking for your federal tax ID number. it is not necessary to use an attorney or CPA for this. You can either use your personal social security number as your tax ID number, OR you can easily get a Federal ID number on line from the IRS. The EIN (Employer ID number) will allow you at some future date to have employees, but the best part is you don't have to give anyone your SSN.

the EIN will also allow you to participate in some 'business owners only' companies. Some vendor only allow registered business to buy from them, not many but some.

You will also want your state and/or local business ID as well.

I just did this for work. It's simple. Go to your local tax site online. You can file it there and get it instantly. However if you are a sole proprietor you can use your ssn for this purpose. It's best to check with your local governement regarding these issues. But check out you michigan state tax site online you can propably get it there or go to a sba.

If they are asking for your state tax ID # then they want the # you use to file sales tax. When you go and get your DBA ask the clerk where to get your state tax ID# and they should be able to help you. Usually it's at the comptrollers office or court house.

If you are operating as a sole proprietorship then the number you will use, what people are referring to as federal ID #, is your SSN.

There are two different numbers, one on the state level, and one on the federal level.

As for needing an accountant, unless you know how to keep the books for a business it is wise to consult one. They can help you set everything up so you can do it yourself or set you up where they do the work for you. They are very helpful....if you find the "right" one.

Paralegal...not neccessary unless you want to incorporate.

This is just my 2cents but I've been through all of this. I started my shop 2 years ago and the paperwork was a hassle but not nearly as complicated as you might think once you get it going.

When I got my sales tax license, the clerk asked me why I had applied for a Fed ID# since I was a sole proprietor. I told her that everyone had told me I needed one. She said I only needed one (as a sole proprietor) if I had employees. ("EIN" stands for EMPLOYER ID Number")

I have since become an LLC and have a Fed ID#. In one of Martha Stewart's books she said anyone who thinks they are saving money by NOT using an attorney to get set up is just paying for it later. I operated as a sole proprietor for years, so it can be done. My sales tax license got me access to any wholesaler I needed. But I figure since Ms. Martha is a billionaire, then she must know something i don't!