where to start

I'm a php/mysql webdeveloper and I would like to start taking on freelance work. I have no idea where to begin. Do I need to form a company? Where do I begin with taxes?

And any other suggestions of how I do this would be appreciated. I get offered freelance work frequently, but I never take it.

Thanks in advance, and if there is a thread that covers these already, could you please give me a link to it. I searched, but I didn't find one.

What I did was basically register a company name with my state, they send me my GE license and all that stuff. Then you basically keep track of everything that goes on. I'm lucky as my mom can take care of the books.

so freelance is kindof like a sole proprietorship, or exactly that?

Basically yes. You can register any type of company and call it freelancing but sole proprietorship is the easiest and cheapest.

thanks, I do some reading.

you don't have to register it. legally you can still run a business without registering it as a form of corporation. at least in canada/ontario.

freelancing is pretty much a sole proprietor. until you start hitting high revenue there's no real sense in incorporating because the banks pretty much rape all the benefits that come with it.

speak to the guy that does your plumbing or sparking and ask him what he does. see if his accountant will speak with you on no-fee-for-first-visit terms to talk you over the legal bull****.

or do it on the sly and hope the taxman doesn't catch you ;-)