Business License

[PatWilbur@aol.com]

Danny Moore wrote:

>We have to have a sales tax permit in Texas even if we are a sole
>proprietorship.  Perhaps that's the type of thing David is referring
>to.

I'm responding to this topic as a former tax accountant (now retraining as a
piano tech) who had a tax business in the Northeast before starting my new
business here in Texas.

A sales tax permit is entirely different from a "business permit." In my
experience, when a business permit is required, it is for two reasons. One,
so that your city knows where to find you to charge you property tax on your
business property (tools, computers, etc.) Two, so that they know where to
find you if someone wants to bring any legal action against you. With regard
to this second reason, some localities only require a "permit" and/or DBA
registration if you are doing business under an assumed name.

David Ilvedson wrote:

>My problem is when another city, other than mine, that
>says because I'm conducting business there, tuning a piano in that
>city, I must have a business license.

Well, I'm not familiar with CA law, but given the two reasons that I know of
for a business license to be required, this doesn't make any sense. Have you
tried showing the other city your home city license? Read the fine print to
try to figure out what they really want.

If what they really want is a license for every city you do business in, then
maybe you -should- move to Texas <g>.

Let me know how it turns out.

Pat Wilbur - Fort Worth TX