|
If you want to Start a Business, Virtual In-House Counsel can help you:
 Choose a structure
Create an agreement
Learn about operating from your home
License your business
Understand your responsibilities towards your employees
… Choose a structure
Given the wide variety of basic legal formats for structuring a business, getting started can be confusing. Each structure has its own special characteristics, uses and limitations. Virtual In-House Counsel will help you analyze the particular form of business that is right for you.
… Create an agreement
Put it in writing. If you and your new business partners do not spell out your rights and responsibilities in a written agreement, you will be ill-equipped to settle conflicts when they arise, and minor misunderstandings may erupt into full-blown disputes.
… Learn about operating from your home (return to top)
A home business can be an economical and efficient way to get your new business off the ground. You will want to check out zoning ordinances and regulations in your neighborhood, your homeowners' insurance policy, and business license requirements in your city.
You may save money on your income taxes by taking a deduction for business expenses, but you must
use that portion of your home only for business purposes and you must conduct all of your business from your home. However, if your home is not your principal place of business, you may still be able to
deduct business expenses.
… License your business and comply with other requirements (return to top)
Proper filing of a Master Business License with the Secretary of State is essential to the success of your
business. Virtual In-House Counsel can help with appropriate renewal procedures and advise you about various regulations.
You'll want to consider whether any of the following types of requirements pertain to your business:
- City and/or County offices (most all business enterprises)
- Health department permit if you process or sell food to the public
- Fire department permit if you handle flammable materials
- EPA approval if you discharge any substance into the air, sewer system, or water.
- Federal licensing if you are a gun dealer, investment broker or certain types of communication
businesses
Also consider whether you will need to collect sales tax if you sell products directly to the public. You
may need to maintain tax exemption forms if you sell products wholesale or to middlemen.
… Understand your responsibilities towards your employees
(return to top)
As soon as you hire your first employee, you'll need to know about laws governing employers' relationships with their workers.
As an employer, you are held accountable for a host of state and federal laws that regulate your
relationship with your employees. Some of the things Virtual In-House Counsel can help you to understand include:
- Proper hiring practices
- Wage and hour laws
- Avoiding the appearance of discrimination based on gender, age, race, pregnancy, creed, sexual
orientation, disability and national origin
- Minimum requirements for various types of employee leave
- Writing an employee handbook
- Conducting performance reviews and disciplining employees
- Firing an employee without trampling on his or her legal rights
- Protecting your business secrets when employees leave
- Running a background check, doing a workplace search or monitoring employee conduct
|
