Comments on: Legal Requirements for Self-Employed Persons http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/ Photos, videos, essays about singing & signing… and whatever I damn well please. ;-) Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:21:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: CAnn http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-28949 CAnn Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:40:42 +0000 http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-28949 Pat, I am a publishing freelancer and just got the same letter from the Mayor's Office/Meredith Brown (Office of Small business) demanding $301.84. I read Muni Code 30.0110 and see that there is no requirement for the city to ever notify anyone of the fact that self-employment/freelance work requires a business tax certificate, so, conveniently, they can assess the late fees (in addition to a processing fee, aargh). I am searching for any stories about people who have contested this rip-off, but can't find much. Turko (KUSI) did cover the issue last year, I think, as it related to some ladies who got together and had a little investment club and actually made a few dollars; when they reported the gains on their state tax returns, to which the City of SD recently bought en masse access, it triggered the tax letter. They were outraged and I think the City Attorney's office is reviewing whther such clubs are appropriately classified as businesses. I know of no media coverage otherwise. Frankly, given that the business tax is a revenue-generating tax, and not regulatory, and carries only a potential misdemeanor charge for nonpayment, it seems fairly unenforceable. I doubt that much would come of it if you just ignored it. In theory, the Treasurer's staff can come and search your house without a warrant, looking for evidence of you conducting a business. I'd really like to see that. Let me know if you find out anything. I'm debating whether I will just ignore the charges, because as of this year I am no longer doing freelance work... I would be fairly OK with forking over $34 x 3 = $102 for years 2005-2007, but >$300? Not. Pat,
I am a publishing freelancer and just got the same letter from the Mayor’s Office/Meredith Brown (Office of Small business) demanding $301.84. I read Muni Code 30.0110 and see that there is no requirement for the city to ever notify anyone of the fact that self-employment/freelance work requires a business tax certificate, so, conveniently, they can assess the late fees (in addition to a processing fee, aargh). I am searching for any stories about people who have contested this rip-off, but can’t find much. Turko (KUSI) did cover the issue last year, I think, as it related to some ladies who got together and had a little investment club and actually made a few dollars; when they reported the gains on their state tax returns, to which the City of SD recently bought en masse access, it triggered the tax letter. They were outraged and I think the City Attorney’s office is reviewing whther such clubs are appropriately classified as businesses.

I know of no media coverage otherwise. Frankly, given that the business tax is a revenue-generating tax, and not regulatory, and carries only a potential misdemeanor charge for nonpayment, it seems fairly unenforceable. I doubt that much would come of it if you just ignored it. In theory, the Treasurer’s staff can come and search your house without a warrant, looking for evidence of you conducting a business. I’d really like to see that. Let me know if you find out anything. I’m debating whether I will just ignore the charges, because as of this year I am no longer doing freelance work… I would be fairly OK with forking over $34 x 3 = $102 for years 2005-2007, but >$300? Not.

]]> By: PatM http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-28940 PatM Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:10:09 +0000 http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-28940 Does anyone have a reply to my April 10 comment above.? Does anyone have a reply to my April 10 comment above.?

]]> By: PatM http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-28930 PatM Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:02:16 +0000 http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-28930 I just became aware that I needed a Business Tax Certificate when I received a letter from the city advising me that with penalties added I owe them about $300! The certificate itself only cost about $40 per year times 3 years is $120. I quite annoyed that they took 3 years to tell me about this. What's interesting is that they can only collect penalties for up to 3 year. What a coincidence that they waited until now to contact me. I am entitled to a hearing if I want to fight the penalty. Has anyone had experience with this and is it worth my time? I just think this is unethical for them to wait 3 years to contact me. I just became aware that I needed a Business Tax Certificate when I received a letter from the city advising me that with penalties added I owe them about $300! The certificate itself only cost about $40 per year times 3 years is $120. I quite annoyed that they took 3 years to tell me about this. What’s interesting is that they can only collect penalties for up to 3 year. What a coincidence that they waited until now to contact me. I am entitled to a hearing if I want to fight the penalty. Has anyone had experience with this and is it worth my time? I just think this is unethical for them to wait 3 years to contact me.

]]> By: Daniel Greene http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-27776 Daniel Greene Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:14:03 +0000 http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-27776 Thanks, Daniel; Yes, I'm sure you'll have to check more resources. Shanta, your guess is as good as mine. I spent hours researching the law as it relates to self-employed persons in San Diego, and I published my findings for the benefit of others. The rest is up to you. Thanks, Daniel; Yes, I’m sure you’ll have to check more resources. Shanta, your guess is as good as mine. I spent hours researching the law as it relates to self-employed persons in San Diego, and I published my findings for the benefit of others. The rest is up to you.

]]> By: Shanta Menon http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-27514 Shanta Menon Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:53:38 +0000 http://danielgreene.com/2001/05/03/legal-requirements-for-self-employed-persons/#comment-27514 This helps me a lot, but where can we look up the rules for the State of Pennsylvania? Thanks. Shanta This helps me a lot, but where can we look up the rules for the State of Pennsylvania?
Thanks.
Shanta

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