Full Description

Simplify the Start-Up Process

Starting a new business can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do—as well as one of the most overwhelming. To ensure the future success of your enterprise, taking the time to properly establish yourself right from the start is crucial. Let Start a Business in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia help you start your dream business headache and hassle-free.

Learn how to:
- Develop a Complete Business Plan
- Register with State Authorities
- Establish a Proper Tax Payment System
- Market Your Business for Success

Essential documents you need to:
- Create a Brand-New Business
- Avoid Problems with the IRS
- Hire Employees
- Comply with State and Federal Regulations
- And much more . . .

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books -
Introduction -

Chapter 1: Choosing the Form of Your Business -
Basic Forms of Doing Business
Joint Ventures and Corporate Partnerships
Choosing where to Form Your Business
Eligibility for Starting a Company
Business Comparison Chart
Business Start-up Checklist

Chapter 2: Naming Your Business -
Researching Your Name
Entity Names
Fictitious Names
Professional Associations

Chapter 3: Financing Your Business -
Bootstrapping
Using Your Own Savings
Borrowing Money
Selling Shares of Your Business
Checklist for a Private Placement of Securities
Using the Internet to Raise Capital
Winning Investors
The Capital Presentation
Capital Presentation Checklist
Financial Plan

Chapter 4: Writing a Business Plan -
Business Strategy
Developing a Strategy
The Business Plan
Structuring Your Business Plan
How to Write a Business Plan
Business Plan Checklist

Chapter 5: Finding Your Business Location -
Home Office
Executive Office Suites
Commercial Office Space
A Word to the Wise

Chapter 6: Licensing Your Business -
Determine what Licensing You Need
Maryland Business Licensing
Virginia Business Licensing
District of Columbia Business Licensing
Federal Licensing Requirements

Chapter 7: Setting Up the Office -
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Tax Returns and Other Returns
Lease Issues
Checklist for Tenant Lease
Equipment, Furniture, and Supplies
Mail and Documents

Chapter 8: Marketing and Advertising -
Marketing
Advertising

Chapter 9: Your Business and the Internet -
Your Presence on the World Wide Web
Building Your Website
Your Website as an Important Marketing Tool
Legal Issues

Chapter 10: Intellectual Property Law -
Trademarks
Copyrights
Patents

Chapter 11: Insurance -
Workers’ Compensation
Liability Insurance
Fire and Hazard Insurance
Fidelity or Theft Insurance
Health Insurance
Errors and Omissions Insurance
Business Interruption Insurance

Chapter 12: Employment and Labor Laws -
Hiring and Firing Laws
Drug Tests
Noncompete Agreements
Independent Contractors
Employment Agreements
New Hire Reporting
Workers’ Compensation
Discrimination Laws
Sexual Harassment
Wage and Hour Laws
Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans
Family and Medical Leave Law
Child Labor Laws
Immigration Laws
Miscellaneous Laws

Chapter 13: Payment and Collection -
Cash
Checks
Credit Cards
Sample Charge Authorization Form
Usury
Financing Laws and Regulations
Collections
Refunds

Chapter 14: Vendors and Sales -
Vendors
Sales
Evaluate—Then Negotiate
Government Contracts

Chapter 15: Taxes -
Income Tax
State Income Tax
Withholding, Social Security, and Medicare Taxes
Excise Taxes
Unemployment Compensation Tax
Payroll Tax and Services
State Sales Taxes
Out-of-State Business Taxes
Canadian Taxes
Tax Tips

Chapter 16: Corporate Governance -
Registered Agents
Initial and Annual Reports
Money and Accounting
Signing Documents
Bank Accounts
Corporate Governance for Corporations
Sample Agenda for Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Sample Minutes for Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Sample Action in Lieu of Organizational Meeting
Corporate Resolution Checklist
Corporate Governance for Limited Liability Companies

Chapter 17: For Further Reference -
SCORE
SCORE Offices in Maryland
SCORE Offices in Virginia
Washington Metro Area SCORE Offices
Offices of Economic Development
Local Government Websites
Small Business Development Centers
Chambers of Commerce
Books
Sourcebooks, Inc. Books
Government Websites
Additional Websites

Glossary -
Appendix: Blank Forms -
Index

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: