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Planning A Home Based Business - Checking The Legal Issues
Make sure you don't accidentally break any laws when you start your home based business
The planning stage of a new home based business is an exciting time. When you are starting your home based business, don't overlook the legal aspect: being a small business owner carries various responsibilities and it is up to you to discover your position in regard to these matters. Here are three things to consider when you are setting up your home based business:
Zoning
Check to find out what zoning regulations could possibly affect your home based business.
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These rules and regulations vary from district to district and are particularly stringent in towns and cities where people are living in close proximity.
If you are working as a self-employed electrician or mobile beauty therapist, you will need to maintain a home office to deal with your appointments but your actual work will be performed away from your home, so you will be unlikely to run into trouble with zoning restrictions. If, however, your home business will involve numerous visits from clients or excessive noise or anything else that might create a nuisance to your neighbours, you should be very careful to find out exactly where you stand with regard to zoning regulations.
Neighbours
Think about what impact you home based business might have on your neighbours. This consideration should be made over and above anything contained in the zoning regulations. Minor disputes with neighbours have a way of escalating, so it is best to do everything in your power to foresee possible areas of friction. Avoidance of these issues is always easier than trying to repair relationships after a rift. It might be that you would be better off renting premises rather than running your business from home.
Two of the main areas which are known to cause friction in neighbourly relationships are noise and nuisance caused by inconsiderate parking of vehicles. It would not be wise to ignore the impact your home business might have on your neighbours just because you will be operating within the word of the law; if you upset your neighbours, they have the power to get the law changed.
I once knew a doctor who ran a private practice from his home. Everything was peaceful while he made visits to patients in their homes to carry out examinations for insurance companies and only saw the occasional patient at his own premises. Things changed when he started a private slimming clinic and hoards of patients were swarming around the area all through the day. The neighbours had a struggle to get in and out of their homes and their visitors were unable to find space to park. The neighbours swiftly formed a pressure group and obtained a Court Order to get this particular home business closed down.
Taxes
As a small business owner, you will be responsible for paying the correct taxes at the right time. If you fail to do this, you are liable to be fined and also charged interest on any overdue amounts. Some people try to go underground and hope the tax man won't find out about them. This is sometimes due to dishonesty but some honest people have a fear of being unable to cope with the tax system and put off the day they will have to deal with the tax inspectors. If you are honest but nervous, you will get fined just the same as a deliberate tax evader, don't take the risk.
Contact your tax office as soon as possible, preferably before you actually start your business, and find out exactly what you will be due to pay and when it will be due. You will need to set aside a proportion of your earnings to cover your eventual tax bill. The good new is that the fact that you will be running a business from home means that you will be entitled to tax relief on a percentage of some your normal household bills (eg lighting and heating) and you will need to take this into account when setting your budgets.
It is far better to be aware of your responsibilities under the relevant laws than to accidentally break the law and then have to deal with the consequences. "Forewarned is forearmed".
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DISCLAIMER: Elaine Currie works at home online and enjoys sharing resources that have helped to improve her life. In doing so she has created
relationships with certain experts and in recommending their products may receive compensation for doing so.
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