I’ve started a business. Well, will have started once everything goes through. The name of the business is Badger Comics. Of course there is nothing there at this moment.. well, there is but it is blocked out until the store is ready to go live. I should probably put a “coming soon” page.. eh.. I’ll get it done.

Anywho, yeah, I started up a business. You would not believe how easy it is to setup a LEGAL online business entity, in Wisconsin at least. Technically you don’t need to do anything for a sole proprietorship. Do your business and declare the income on your taxes at the end of the year. If you want to have an actual business name, you just have to file a Firm Name Registration with your county Register of Deeds. That allows you to legally do business as (dba) whatever name you choose. Of course you have to make sure that no one else in your county has that firm name registered. The Registration Form is $11 to file in the state of Wisconsin.

If you plan on selling things, you need to file for a seller’s/sales use tax permit. Now you aren’t required to pay sales use tax unless you are actually selling things within the state. but this seller’s permit is also needed to purchase items tax free from wholesale distributors and not pay tax on them. you can also get a tax exempt permit (called direct sales) that allows you to buy things to resell without paying tax, but that I haven’t done yet. The seller’s permit is $20 for the State of Wisconsin.

You then can file for free for a Federal Employer Identification Number. This is essentially like your business’ social security number. It is also needed to be able to have employees.

All in all total cost to start a business in the state of Wisconsin, $31. Not too shabby.

Anyway, I will make sure to update as things keep going forward. I already have my wholesale distribution application faxed (to be able to buy wholesale direct from the distributor) and hopefully should have that setup in the next week. After that it is about ordering and getting ready to open for business the first week of october.