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Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Consultants (6th Edition)
 
 
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Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Consultants (6th Edition) [Paperback]

Stephen Fishman (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)


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Paperback $26.39  
Paperback, February 2006 --  

Book Description

February 2006
Be your own boss -- easily, efficiently and successfully -- with this bestseller!

Whether you're an independent contractor, freelancer, or consultant, it all adds up to the same thing: You need to be more aware of laws and taxes than the average person.

Fortunately, Working for Yourself provides all the information you need to stay on top of it all. An independent contractor himself, Stephen Fishman shows you everything you need to know to:

*meet business start-up requirements *pick a business structure *set up home or outside offices *obtain permits and licenses *price your services or products *comply with strict IRS rules *establish sound business relationships *avoid unfair contracts *draft good agreements *keep good records *get paid in full and on time *and much, much more

The 6th edition is completely revised to provide the up-to-date information you need, including the most current tax rates and changes in the law.

Whether you already work for yourself or are thinking about making the move, Working for Yourself will help make sure you do it right.



Editorial Reviews

Review

"As an independent contractor, you are your boss. This is why Fishman's book is so important." -- New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Could well have been called The Independent Contractor Bible... Don't contract independently without it." -- Leonard Charla, Small Press Magazine

"Whether you already work for yourself or are thinking about making the move, Working forYourself will help it's done right." -- Des Moines Register

About the Author

Stephen Fishman is the author of many Nolo books, most recently Tax Deductions for Professionals. Other titles include Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes, Every Landlord's Guide to Tax Deductions and Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What You Earn plus many other legal and business books. All are published by Nolo. He received his law degree from the University of Southern California in 1979. After stints in government and private practice, he became a full-time legal writer in 1983.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: NOLO; 6 edition (February 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1413304400
  • ISBN-13: 978-1413304404
  • Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Fishman is the author of many Nolo books, including Tax Deductions for Professionals. Other titles include Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes, Every Landlord's Tax Deduction Guide and Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What You Earn--plus many other legal and business books. He received his law degree from the University of Southern California in 1979. After time in government and private practice, he became a full-time legal writer in 1983.

 

Customer Reviews

74 Reviews
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 (53)
4 star:
 (20)
3 star:
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2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (74 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 85 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Software Contractors, May 5, 2002
By 
Randy Given (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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I am a software contractor looking at incorporating. I had looked at LLC options, but some clients require incorporating, so that was ruled out. My best route seemed to be S-Corp. This book answered most of my questions. The "Incorporating Your Business, for Dummies" was pretty good, but not as good as this book. This book has a lot of details and laid some of my worries to rest. It will also save money with your professional team (attorney, accountant) by answering simple, but essential, questions. Definitely worth the money.
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45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on small biz that I have found, July 7, 2001
By 
zem (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
After surveying most of the small biz books out there, this is the far and away the best. Fishman claims his focus is on sole proprietors in a service business (in part to not compete with Steingold's Nolo Press book on small biz which isn't nearly as good). Even if you have an inventory based biz, 95% of this book is still extremely helpful. It covers the widest rage of topics and in more depth and with better organization than any other book on the subject. You won't need many other books except maybe something specific for taxes (do not get Nolo's Tax Savy book -- its very superficial; I really haven't found a tax book that I like yet). If your business will be very large and complex (and especially if it will involve other investors, complex financing, employees or IP) also get the Entrepeneur's Guide to Business Law by Bagley and Dauchy.
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41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Straighforward intro to the legal aspects of freelancing, May 4, 2004
A potential employer asked that I incorporate my freelancing business before they start sending me jobs. I wanted to do some research on the pros/cons of incorporating, what kind of start-ups costs this would entail, and what kind of corporation I should be. At first, the whole process of incorporating sounded like a huge money burden on my part--with filing fees and taxes--but this book has helped me sort out the issues and provided detailed information about the different ways to incorporate--sole proprietorship, LLC, S-corps. Although I haven't yet decided which path I will take, this book has made the jump to freelancing, and self-incorporating, less scary.

Not only do I understand my choices better, but I also now understand the different structures for businesses and their tax responsibilities. Great distillation of information! The copies of tax forms in the back are also a great reference. Highly recommended.

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Working for yourself can be both financially and spiritually satisfying. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
much estimated tax, complete applicable provision, business property insurance, actual expense method, electronic funds withdrawal, hiring firm, state tax department, home office deduction, net business income, statutory employee, faxed signature, standard mileage rate, mated taxes, business checkbook, business tax deductions, correspondence audits, employment tax returns, copyright rights, client agreement, home office expenses, cash basis method, business miles, qualified medical expenses, tax pro, independent contractor agreement
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New York, Stephen Fishman, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Acme Corp, New Hampshire, Yellow Pages, New Mexico, San Francisco, Andre Bocuse, Liability Concerns, Loss From Business, Payments Based, Stephen Elias, America Online, Anthony Mancuso, Contractor's Materials, Joe Dokes, Printed Name, Ralph Warner, Small Business Administration, Employer's Tax Guide, Federal Reporter, Joe Jones
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