Customer Reviews

Starting & Operating a Business in the U.S.: National

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've relied on previous editions of this book for years. I was very pleased with this new edition for several reasons:

* The resource listings (for gov't agencies, business associations, etc.) have been well-updated and include web addresses.

* There used to be a separate version of the book for each state in the nation--so if you conducted business in several states, like I do, and needed tax and employment info for multiple states, you needed several different copies of the book. This new edition includes all the legal and tax information for ALL states on the enclosed CD-ROM. This is much easier to deal with!

* I should mention that all in all, this is one of the most useful business books I own (and I've got 'em all). It's a no-nonsense guide, and gets straight to the information without a lot of the fluff other books seem to layer on. Highly recommended.

(From the author) The print editions in this series have been out of print for several years. However, electronic editions for each of the 50 states and D.C. have been available since 2005, updated regularly, and in 2011 we began converting a number of the 2010 and 2011 state editions (large states first) into the Kindle format. We will eventually have all 51 current editions available in the Kindle Store on Amazon. Each is priced at $9.99 and each between 400 and 500 pages if printed out. No fluff, all useful tax, legal, and practical advice.

To find the edition for your state, do a search of the Kindle Store for "Starting and Operating a Business in California" (or New York; or Pennsylvania, and so on, for a particular state edition).

For example, see: Starting and Operating a Business in New Jersey (Starting and Operating a Business in the U.S.)

I bought a used copy after this terrific book went out of print, not knowing that the author now publishes electronic editions for each state. The information in it gave me a good grasp of the "ground rules" (laws and taxes) for running my business, which operates in 3 states, but unfortunately, since it was published in 1999, I wasn't sure how much of the information was out of date. I keep hoping someone will come out with a new edition.

Luckily, my CPA, who has used the books in this series for years, recommended that I get the new electronic editions for the states I needed, which are all updated annually by the author, and I found the three states I bought were not only up to date, but even more comprehensive than this print version (with about 50% more information), plus the best, most comprehensive section on business plans that I have seen, one area that was not covered in this print version.

Even in this 1999 edition, the sections on subjects like Universal Product Codes, ISO-9000 certification, exporting and customs [...], and especially the segment on how to protect your assets from lawsuits and creditors were very helpful, and were subjects that don't seem to be covered in any other books for small business users. (Perhaps other authors of small business books don't think small business people are smart enough to use that kind of technical information?)

In any case, it's too bad this print version had to go out of print, for whatever reasons, and that the new electronic versions aren't available in a printed, bound version (though they were easy enough to print out and put in binders).

All in all, thumbs up!

I found this book very usefull in presenting an overview of the issues that a business owner will be facing when starting a new business. However, the book never really touched down anywhere, skimming all topics.
Though my appreciation of what it takes is much greater now and better informed, I still feel the need to buy a book delving deeper into the requirements that a business owner must fullfill. I will have to buy another book or get professional advise, as such the book has failed me, it should have been called - An overview of issues a business owner should know.

Not packed with a lot of data, but good reference tool and check list for you to get started and not miss somethings that need your attention as a new business owner.