I just submittied My report with the Secretary of State, which is always easy. Now that I have figured out what tangible goods I am going to get started with, I am adding those as a separate business activity but it compliments my writing and other freelance things I do. I am stumped.

I haven't made any sales in the new venture yet and I won't have any employees. Do I still need to get a business ID number from the IRS?

Not necessarily, or at least not until you're really making a substantial income. If you are being paid as a freelancer, it's sort of a gray area as to when you need a Federal tax i.d. number as opposed to just filing quarterly taxes. They do want you to do that though.

i say get it just to be on the safe side. it's not that much money.

You're right, it doesn't cost much. It's just the darned paperwork! I hate that part.

it'll take a couple hours out of your day to do the paper work. a lot less time then if you were to do something wrong and have to weasle your way out of it.

I've seen all those commercials to get free grants from the government and I bought a couple of them online but they want me to read a 600page guide to figure it out and that would clearly take me 2 years to read. Does anyone know where there is an easy place to get business start up loans for at least $5k? I really need your help. Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

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federal grants