Small Business Start-Up Kit for California (Paperback)

by Peri Pakroo (Author)
Key Phrases: agreement price, trademark registration, federal employment laws, Secretary of State, Payment Terms, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"An excellent resource for beginners... written specifically for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business in California." -- StartupJournal.com

"Excellent advice... for would-be small-business owners, and heeding it can help you avoid many early mistakes." -- Los Angeles Times

"Provides step-by-step instructions for setting up a small business in California and guiding it safely through its first year and beyond." -- Reference & Research Book News

"The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California puts all the California-specific information you need to begin your business -- right at you fingertips." -- San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

Product Description
The best step-by-step guide to starting a business in California!

If you dream of starting a business, but fear that, without an MBA, you'll get lost in the maze of government red tape here's the handbook you need.

The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California outlines how to set up your enterprise in the Golden State quickly and easily, pointing out the hurdles, fees and forms along the way. Clear and straight to the point, the book explains how to:

choose the best business structure

write an effective business plan

file the right forms in the right place

price, bid and bill your projects

draft and use contracts, online and off

manage your finances

be prepared for, and file, required taxes

reach customers online

and much more

The 7th edition is completely updated, and includes new chapters on e-business and doing business from home. It also covers the latest California-specific business information, including sales tax rates by county, registration forms and fees. Updated forms and business-planning spreadsheets are included on CD-ROM.

List of Forms
Partnership Agreement
LLC Articles of Organization
Sample Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Limited Partnership
Limited Liability Partnership Registration
Application for Employer Identification Number (IRS Form SS-4)
California Fictitious Business Name Statement
California Seller's Permit Application and Instructions for Individuals/Partnerships/Corporations/Organizations
California Resale Certificate
Swap Meets, Flea Markets, or Special Events Certification
California Board of Equalization Publications Order Form
IRS Form 1040-ES: Estimated Tax Form and Instructions
California Estimated Tax Form and Instructions (FTB Form 540-ES)
Limited Liability Company Tax Voucher (FTB Form 3522)
Entity Classification Election (IRS Form 8832)
Election To Have a Tax Year Other Than a Required Tax Year (IRS Form 8716)
Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal
Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding (IRS Form SS-8)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 7th edition (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413307582
• ISBN-13: 978-1413307580
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,457 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Legal Guides
  #7 in	Books > Nonfiction > Law > Business > Franchising
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, December 27, 1999

By	chelbell (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Open Your California Business in 24 Hours: The Complete Start-Up Kit (Paperback)

This is my first book review, because this is the first book I've purchased where I've truly felt moved to tell people how excellent it is. If you are starting up a small business in California, this book is invaluable. It tells you where to find all of the information you'll need to start up your business, in easy to understand terms. Also includes a CD-ROM with lots of forms. All of her advice is really helpful and I find myself going back to the book all the time. Just knowing it's there makes me feel better!

She includes URLs to web sites with information - and even tells you what other books to get on a subject she doesn't cover too in-depth. And all the information you need is easy to find.

5 stars!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY, A BUSINESS START UP BOOK FOR THE REST OF US, February 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Open Your California Business in 24 Hours: The Complete Start-Up Kit (Paperback)

Well worth the price! It answered every question I had -- and answered a lot of questions I hadn't even thought about. Really easy to understand and set up in a smart way - going through the steps you would when creating a business. The section on "hobby or business" is the best explanation I ever read about that stuff. Much better than going to a lawyer and has lots of first person battle stories. Even if you've got a Cal business going -- this book is still cool!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tutorial and reference, August 1, 2002

By	A. McFadden - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Small Business Start-Up Kit for California (Small Business Start Up Kit for California, 3rd ed) (Paperback)

Everything you need to know about starting a small business in California is in here. What legal structure to choose, which agencies you need to deal with, what forms you need and where to get them, web addresses, phone numbers, and all the details.

It also has a wealth of information on running a business, including information on accounting, taxation, and employees. It's well organized and easy to read.

The only gaps are in some of the details on forming LLCs and corporations. The reader is referred to other Nolo books for the gritty details. If you're forming a partnership or sole proprietorship -- probably the most common types for "cottage industry" -- the book is reasonably complete.