Robin Wilkinson posted a new question on 2/25/2010
I am a freelance editor just starting out, and my first year's business license expired less than $100 profit last year. I have a new customer, just one customer at this time with a novel for me to edit. I quoted an estimate of $1,500, not to be all at once. How important is it to renew my business license? (I live in Beaverton, Oregon)
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Vann Baker Responded on 3/16/2011
Hi Robin, I can't speak for the laws or the enforcement in your city/county. But over the years, my experience is once you have a license, the assumption is that you are doing business and subject to the license fee (which is usually mostly an excuse to tax you whether you do any business or not).
Since you're already on their radar, I would be careful as they might fine you with a penalty if they find out that's far greater than the cost of the license.
Maybe you could check with the license office to see if there is a minimum amount you need to invoice customers in order to be deemed a full time business. From what you describe, it sounds more like you are a freelancer.
Vann Baker, Design-First, Duluth, Georgia
