Here's something I can actually help you with, instead of the usual, casual zingers and off-the-cuff humor!!
I've done a ton of this kind of stuff (call it contract work, freelancing, etc...).
I've done it two ways; under a d/b/a, and just being paid as a 1099 personally. The d/b/a situation was (mostly) me working with another person on a project, contracted by a company, but it was sometimes me working independently on a project, contracted by a company. The 1099 work was always me working dependently on a project, contracted by a company.
When we did the contract work under a d/b/a, we had a separate d/b/s checking account and credit card, and filed separate tax returns. When I did it as a 1099, I did NOT have a separate checking account or credit card, as it was personal income and personal expenditures (as they relate to the project).
It's funny, I can't balance a family checkbook, but I will ALWAYS (ok, maybe not ALWAYS) be right when it comes to business income, expenditures, etc... It's very important, BEFORE you accept any work (or solicit any, for that matter), to have your "freelance template of tools" ready (ie, proposal form, e-letterhead, blank invoice, maybe even a "placeholder" web-site, etc...), as it just pulls everything together, and makes you a package, not just a contracted vendor. Contracted vendors tend to come and go often, whereas a package makes you real.
My input! Any questions... just ask!
I've done really well with this.
Me-46, D-21, S15, S13
After many years w/my head in the sand... I FILED Divorced 6/2011
The average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think.
