sarah_ashley2 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 <p>This is not about me. I have my business license and do photography full time but I was curious after it had come up on another website: Do you need a business license if you only plan on doing about one photo shoot a month or less? It had been my understanding that if you charge (even if its only $40 a shoot) then technically you are a business and should have a business licenses. Though if you don't advertise yourself as a business and only charge friends is that ok? Again i'm just curious and I realize the internet is not the best place for legal info.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles_Webster Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 <p>It all depends on where you are. Business licensing is a matter of local regulation. It varies town by town, county by county.<br> You need to consult your local licensing authority, not other photographers, for info.</p> <p><Chas><br /><br /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonybynum Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 licensing is local but as far as the IRS is concerned, if you have income you must report it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah_ashley2 Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 <p>Charles: Again this is not about me (I have my license) and I am not sure where the person is from but I figured you all would say that.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_shearman1 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 <p>As others have said, licensing is a local issue. But I can't imagine local authorities anywhere going after someone who doesn't advertise himself as a business, does work only for friends and only charges $40.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwg Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 <p>At just a few $40 jobs it's unlikely they actually have a profit once you consider the equipment and supplies, so they probably don't need to report the income to the IRS either. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert_richardson1 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 <p>The issue would be whether or not your friend is really running a business. One shoot a month might not generate enough income to cover expenses and could realistically be considered a hobby. Hobbyists do not have to comply with business accounting and tax rules in that all of their proceeds are simply another form of personal income.</p> <p>Your friend needs to decide whether or not he/she is operating a business. One resource to help with this is the discussion on hobby vs. business in the irs.gov web site. If your friend really is establishing a business then he/she needs to follow all of the rules governing business taxation and reporting, not just the local one governing business licenses.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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