Start a home business?

[reflexologist_bp]

I would like to work part time out of my home. I don't know the ins and outs of doing this . I was told by some, that because my state does not require licensing, to not go the route of hanging a sign out, trying to go thru zoning etc, but to just do the massage in home and not worry about the legalities of it. I don't want to be doing massage in my home and then get in trouble for not doing it thru the proper channels. Do those of you who do massage at home have a license/permit for this or how do I go about this? Do I really have to open a "business" or can I "just do it?"

 

[justmeh1987]

Bluejeans,

I attended business classes at the local college and was told to contact the county clerks office.
Once I did I was told they have a "don't ask don't tell policy" for home offices. You don't hang out a sign (which I didn't want to do anyway).
I was told that home offices cause issues when it disrupts the surrounding area (neighbors, street traffic, ect).
If the neighbors are ok with the business being there (and they are) and there are not issues with increased traffic (not the case, since you only have one client at a time) then "it is don't ask, don't tell". My business class teacher checked into it for me to and was told the same thing - so I went by that.

I do keep up on my other licenses and insurance, so that works.
Have never had a problem.

Area to area is different. I would go though the proper channels and get the correct information so you feel good about opening up your business.

 

[theGR8shazam]

If you aren't accepting money for your services you can legally practice just about anything out of your home. To operate a retail or service-related business out of your home you will need to comply with your town or county's zoning laws. If your home is not zoned commercial your home based massage business will be operating illegally. Every business needs to take out a business license with their town or county, there is always a fee but the fees range drastically town to town and state to state. If your state does not require licensing of massage that does not mean you would be practicing legally without a business license and in a non-commercial zone.

However, there are plenty of people who cheat on their taxes and get away with it, and in turn there are plenty of people who run home based businesses without compliance to their local laws and ordinances. This becomes a moral and ethical issue and should be decided by yourself.

What reprecussions are there to practicing outside of the law/ordinances? Usually just fines. These too range from town to town and state to state. Supposing you went "under the radar" it would be prudent of you to know what the fines would be in the event you were reported.

Hope this helps you in your decision. I know this question has been asked many times on this board so maybe do a little digging to see answers from previous posts.