Do you need a business license to do consultant work?
Do you need a business license to do consultant work?
Todd Blacksher wrote:
If the company that hires you as a consultant does not have a license available for you, and they need you to do work, you will want to have your own license.
Thank you Todd. I'm confused by "the company has a license for you"
Some people that come in as contractors/consultants will be provided a workstation/computer with all of the software that they will need to do the job. (This is if they are working on-site for a large company that has the "extra space/hardware/software".)
Some companies don't have the ability or funds to do this, so they will expect a contractor/consultant to bring in their own equipment - this is when you would need to have your own license.
(I don't know of any companies that will install their software on your personal computer for you to use while you work for them.)
Todd,
I have my own workstation/SW license and don't need any hardware/software from the company
Do I need a business (not SW) license?
A-ha!
I thought that you were talking about the software license!
I don't really know anything about business licenses - I just know that you would probably want to set your self up as a business for taxation purposes (most likely an LLC)
I think that there are a lot of people that do consulting/contracting/freelance work here on the forums, and they would be much better suited to answer your question.
Sorry about the mix-up!
You do not need a business license to have your own business in the US. You don't even need a contract.
No you can be a sole proprietor and do any work you want without a business. Some industries may require licenses though.
If the company that hires you as a consultant does not have a license available for you, and they need you to do work, you will want to have your own license.