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Small Business Registration Requirements

Registering yourself as a sole trader for your own small business is quite a simple process in most countries around the world.

Most small businesses are considered one-person businesses. Depending on which country you’re working from, most governments offer Small Business advice departments that shouldn’t cost you anything. Chambers of Commerce are a good example.
These services can provide great information on what you need to do to register your business and some government-supplied business advisory services can even offer you valuable advice on your basic tax obligations as a business owner.

A simple Google search will lead you to your own local advisory service.

Your small business may also be subjected to tax requirements and registrations that will be unique to your own local area. Be very careful to know what’s required of you as far as reporting income and expenditure so you’ll know which items to document for your accountant.

In most countries, a small business will also need to consider social security implications. The easiest way to determine your own responsibilities in this area is to phone your local organisation that deals with social security and ask questions.

Insurance is another important aspect for any small business owner to consider carefully. Public liability insurance is a necessity for most small businesses – even a one-person business.

For example, if a deliveryman arrives at your door and trips over your front step, he may have the right to sue you to cover any injury he may have sustained. If this happens then your insurance policy needs to be written to cover incidences such as these.

Another insurance policy you should investigate as a small business owner is personal income protection insurance. As you’re not covered by an employer’s employees insurance, you’ll need some form of income protection in the event of an injury or accident that means you’re unable to work for any length of time.

Professional indemnity insurance is another cost many small business owners ignore or avoid. It can be a very expensive insurance policy and the costs may seem too steep to worry about when you’re just starting out, but professional indemnity insurance can be vitally important for some types of small businesses.

Professional indemnity isn’t required by all small businesses, but depending on the nature of work you’re conducting in your business, it could be a necessary expense that protects you when you need it most.

Discuss your specific insurance needs with your insurance company. Of course they will attempt to up-sell you to the more expensive options – that’s their job after all – be sure you consider exactly what you’re being covered for and whether it’s needed for your own business situation.

Starting your business with enough knowledge and preparation can save you hours of grief and in the worst scenario a lot of money.

Di Chapman has been working with and promoting new and aspiring Virtual Assistants since 2000. If you would like to see more of her articles and ideas on money making, go to http://www.iceni-it.co.uk If you are ready to get going or want an alternative slant on Internet moneymaking here is the place to go http://DianeJChapman.com