You can operate as a sole proprietorship under your own name and social security number, but if you'd like to give an independent name/doing business as...for your business you can do so by filing an application with the City of Portland Maine.  For the nominal fee of $10 the City of Portland will certify your unique name within the city limits and allows for easy set up of banking and insurance accounts.

This past January you may have heard that the State of Maine is amending their process of certifying who qualifies for subconsultant status.  The state modified the "PREDETERMINATION OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS TO ESTABLISH A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION" questionare to 12 basic questions.  The point of having your subconsultant certified is to clear them from your Workers Compensation Insurance Policy and therefore liability. This survey is intended to be completed by the subconsultant BE...

2013 Income Tax Brackets are in just in case your curious..........

1099's and W-2's are all free directly from the IRS Website and take just 1-2 weeks to arrive. You can find anything you need their quarterly 940/941 reports, to 1098's for dividends.

SMCC seminar on starting and growing small businesses on January 25th, check it out: http://www.smccme.edu/static-content/events/small-business-seminar.html#agenda

Subconsultants certainly require 1099's; but did you also know you're required to send them to your Landlord and your Lawyer as well?  Rents actually get reported in box 1 and attorneys are due a 1099 misc for any funds $600 or more. As many of us are aware 1099 miscellaneous forms are typically given to subconsultants that are not incorporated.  For example if you higher a Graphic Designer and pay them $600 or more during a fiscal year you'll need to send them a 1099 misc by January 31st.  O...

No, but sometimes.... Small Businesses can operate under their primary owners Social Security number. What if you don't want to take a check in your name but rather your businesses name.  Well then just register your business as a DBA (Doing Business As) with your local town for an incidental fee and open a checking account in that name.  You are now operating as a DBA under your personal security number. Doesn't work for partnerships though they must register as an LLC - Limited Li...