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abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 17:38

Hey I have a question. For years now I've been dreaming of my own dot com business. However i decided to go the freelance route.

I was wondering if I can have a business name and not have to register it with the state.

IE: apmedia.com or something (yes it's taken by who knows what it is).

Could freelancers pick any domain name they want and not have to register it with the state? I know you can use your own name and not have to register it with the state, but I want something that's more business oriented in case I might make it into a real business that's not freelance.

Thanks!

mike_m · 01-04-2005, 18:19

what country are you in? - it's all relative.

hosttds · 01-04-2005, 18:34

either way you really should register your legal entity name to be sure that if you ever decide to go mainstrean that you have the name and noone else hasa taken it. Plus if your in the US i think its required either way.

abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_mitry

what country are you in? - it's all relative.

USA - Missouri to be exact.

abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by hosttds

either way you really should register your legal entity name to be sure that if you ever decide to go mainstrean that you have the name and noone else hasa taken it. Plus if your in the US i think its required either way.

That's the thing though. I will be having a main job, aka I'll be employed by a regular business. I will be doing freelance on the side. But if this regular business decides to "let me go" or anything like that, I still want to file for unemployment. I'll only file for unemployment if I'm not getting any nice work from my freelance.

But my understanding was if you register, you are self-employed and can not file for unemployment.

hosttds · 01-04-2005, 18:38

That is one of the problems here in teh good ol' U S of A. lol. anyway, if you do do freelance work under a copmany name that you made up, then somone else registers it your screwed. Just be careful on your final decision.

abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by hosttds

That is one of the problems here in teh good ol' U S of A. lol. anyway, if you do do freelance work under a copmany name that you made up, then somone else registers it your screwed. Just be careful on your final decision.

That was something I thought of as well. So basically I have two options:

1. I either have to register it and never be able to file for unemployment.
2. I can still take the opportunity of not registering a business name, having someone esle steal it, and still being able to qualify to register for unemployment?

Is that right?

hosttds · 01-04-2005, 18:44

yup, or what you can do is register your legal entity name in another state (which is perfectly legal) and im not sure if you can tehn file for unemployment if your state or not, but if you can, hell id do it!

abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by hosttds

yup, or what you can do is register your legal entity name in another state (which is perfectly legal) and im not sure if you can tehn file for unemployment if your state or not, but if you can, hell id do it!

Are you sure that is legal? I thought you had to register a business in your state where the business operates.

hosttds · 01-04-2005, 19:02

No, not at all. You can register your in another state to my knowledge. I know people who have done it. Well, they were internet based only though. I might be wrong, noones perfect ::shrugs::

abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 19:12

I suppose my next question would be..

If I didn't register my business, and people paid me for my services, would I just have them write the check in my name for tax reasons? Am I still able to do that?

abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by hosttds

No, not at all. You can register your in another state to my knowledge. I know people who have done it. Well, they were internet based only though. I might be wrong, noones perfect ::shrugs::

I did a bit of research on what you said and people have done it and had PO boxes in that state and just a small office or something but the rest of the business was located elsewhere.

hosttds · 01-04-2005, 19:43

yup, people do it because its also cheeper to do it in some states too.

abfchgirlx · 01-04-2005, 19:59

I thought I had to make something up in my name. So I did. Now I want to change it now that I know I can.. so that's another long thoughtful process!

01-04-2005, 17:38	#1 (permalink)
abfchgirlx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 32	going freelance and picking a name? Hey I have a question. For years now I've been dreaming of my own dot com business. However i decided to go the freelance route. I was wondering if I can have a business name and not have to register it with the state. IE: apmedia.com or something (yes it's taken by who knows what it is). Could freelancers pick any domain name they want and not have to register it with the state? I know you can use your own name and not have to register it with the state, but I want something that's more business oriented in case I might make it into a real business that's not freelance. Thanks!

01-04-2005, 18:19	#2 (permalink)
mike_m Work faster microphone .. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,709	what country are you in? - it's all relative. __________________

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01-04-2005, 18:34	#3 (permalink)
hosttds Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 11	either way you really should register your legal entity name to be sure that if you ever decide to go mainstrean that you have the name and noone else hasa taken it. Plus if your in the US i think its required either way.

01-04-2005, 18:38	#6 (permalink)
hosttds Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 11	That is one of the problems here in teh good ol' U S of A. lol. anyway, if you do do freelance work under a copmany name that you made up, then somone else registers it your screwed. Just be careful on your final decision.

01-04-2005, 18:44	#8 (permalink)
hosttds Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 11	yup, or what you can do is register your legal entity name in another state (which is perfectly legal) and im not sure if you can tehn file for unemployment if your state or not, but if you can, hell id do it!

01-04-2005, 19:02	#10 (permalink)
hosttds Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 11	No, not at all. You can register your in another state to my knowledge. I know people who have done it. Well, they were internet based only though. I might be wrong, noones perfect ::shrugs::

01-04-2005, 19:12	#11 (permalink)
abfchgirlx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 32	I suppose my next question would be.. If I didn't register my business, and people paid me for my services, would I just have them write the check in my name for tax reasons? Am I still able to do that?

01-04-2005, 19:43	#13 (permalink)
hosttds Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 11	yup, people do it because its also cheeper to do it in some states too.

01-04-2005, 19:59	#14 (permalink)
abfchgirlx Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 32	I thought I had to make something up in my name. So I did. Now I want to change it now that I know I can.. so that's another long thoughtful process!

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