Working for Yourself : Law and Taxes for

The new economy has created opportunities for independent contractors -- designers, programmers, proofreaders, sales reps and more.

Working for Yourself provides essential information for working successfully and legally as an independent contractor. It shows readers everything they need to:
-- meet start-up requirements
-- set up an office
-- comply with IRS rules
-- avoid unfair contracts
-- draft good agreements
-- get paid in full and on time

Working for Yourself: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Working for Yourself: The Good

2

(2)

Working for Yourself: The Bad

4

(1)

Working for Yourself: The Ugly

5

(1)

How to Use This Book

6

Choosing the Legal Form for Your Business

Sole Proprietorships

4

(3)

Corporations

7

(14)

Partnerships

21

(2)

Limited Liability Companies

23

Choosing and Protecting Your Business Name

Choosing a Trade Name

2

(2)

Choosing a Trademark

4

(3)

Choosing an Internet Domain Name

7

(1)

Conducting a Name Search

8

Home Alone or Outside Office?

Pros and Cons of Working at Home

2

(3)

Pros and Cons of an Outside Office

5

(1)

Restrictions on Home-Based Businesses

5

(5)

Deducting Your Home Office Expenses

10

Obtaining Licenses, Permits and Numbers

Business Licenses

2

(1)

Obtaining an Employer Identification Number

3

(1)

Sales Tax Permits

4

Insuring Your Business and Yourself

Health Insurance

3

(5)

Disability Insurance

8

(1)

Business Property Insurance

9

(2)

Liability Insurance

11

(2)

Car Insurance

13

(1)

Workers' Compensation Insurance

13

(2)

Other Types of Insurance

15

(1)

Ways to Find and Save Money on Insurance

16

Pricing Your Services and Getting Paid

Pricing Your Services

2

(7)

Getting Paid

9

Taxes and the Self-Employed

Tax Basics for the Self-Employed

2

(3)

Handling Your Taxes

5

(5)

IRS Audits

10

Reducing Your Income Taxes

Income Reporting

3

(2)

Introduction to Income Tax Deductions

5

(7)

Business Use of Your Home

12

(1)

Deducting the Cost of Business Assets

12

(7)

Car Expenses

19

(2)

Travel Expenses

21

(4)

Entertainment and Meal Expenses

25

(1)

Health Insurance Deduction

26

(1)

Deducting Start-Up Costs

27

The Bane of Self-Employment Taxes

Who Must Pay

2

(1)

SE Tax Rates

2

(1)

Earnings Subject to Self-Employment Tax

3

(1)

Computing the SE Tax

3

(1)

Paying and Reporting SE Taxes

4

(1)

Outside Employment

4

Paying Estimated Tax

Who Must Pay

2

(1)

How Much You Must Pay

3

(3)

When to Pay Estimated Tax

6

(1)

How to Pay

7

(1)

Paying the Wrong Amount

8

Rules for Salespeople, Drivers and Clothing Producers

Statutory Employees

2

(4)

Statutory Independent Contractors

6

Taxes for Workers You Hire

Hiring People to Help You

2

(1)

Tax Concerns When Hiring Employees

3

(6)

Tax Reporting for Independent Contractors

9

(5)

Special Reporting Requirements for California

14

Recordkeeping and Accounting Made Easy

Simple Bookkeeping

2

(10)

How Long to Keep Records

12

(1)

Accounting Methods and Tax Years

13

Safeguarding Your Self-Employed Status

Who Decides Your Work Status

2

(1)

If the Government Reclassifies You

2

(2)

Determining Worker Status

4

(1)

IRS Approach to Worker Status

5

(5)

Preserving Your Status

10

Retirement Options for the Self-Employed

Reasons to Have a Retirement Plan(s)

2

(3)

Individual IRAs

5

(1)

Employer IRAs

6

(1)

Keogh Plans

6

(1)

If You Have Employees

7

Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets

Intellectual Property

2

(1)

Copyright Ownership

3

(6)

Patent Ownership

9

(1)

Trade Secret Ownership

10

Using Written Client Agreements

Reasons to Use Written Agreements

2

(2)

Reviewing a Client's Agreement

4

(1)

Creating Your Own Client Agreements

5

(2)

Putting Your Agreement Together

7

(2)

Changing the Agreement After It's Signed

9

Drafting Your Own Client Agreement

Essential Provisions

2

(10)

Optional Provisions

12

(7)

Sample Client Agreement

19

(3)

Using Letter Agreement

22

Reviewing a Client's Agreement

Agreement Consistent With Promises

3

(1)

Reviewing the Contract

3

(1)

Provisions to Avoid

4

(4)

Provisions You May Wish to Add

8

(1)

Client Purchase Orders

9

Help Beyond This Book

Help Resolving Disputes

2

(3)

Finding and Using a Lawyer

5

(2)

Help From Other Experts

7

(1)

Doing Your Own Legal Research

8

(2)

Online Resources

10

A1 Appendix 1: Documents and Agencies

Asset Log

Expense Journal

Income Journal

Invoice Form

Application for Employer Identification Number

Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification

State Offices Providing Small Business Help

State Unemployment Tax Agencies6P

State Sales Tax Agencies

Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries

State Trademark Agencies and Statutes

A2 Appendix 2: Sample Agreements

General Independent Contractor Agreement

Contract Amendment Form

What is included with this book?

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The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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Working for Yourself : Law and Taxes for Freelancers, Independent Contractors, and Consultants

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials