WORKING FOR YOURSELF: LAW & TAXES FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, FREELANCERS & CONSULTANTS

This is the single best investment I've made in the three months leading up to the launch of my new consulting business.The book is well-organized, nicely laid out, and has self-contained chapters such that it's easy to read the book in pieces, when you reach the point of dealing with that particular part of establishing the business. For example, I started with the sections on business structures, taxes and licensing and permits. Then I moved on to the sections on home office vs. outside office. Now I'm moving into the sections on pricing my services, developing client agreements and how to help make sure your clients pay. Shortly I'll be moving into record-keeping and accounting. And soon thereafter I'll be looking at the sections on insuring the business and paying estimated taxes.Each business owner will hit these issues in slightly different order, and this book makes it really easy to get the answers you need quickly. If I have a specific question, I can look at the table of contents and figure out immediately which of one or two sections should have the answer I need right now. The book is written to be digestible to anyone; while it doesn't "dumb down" the subject matter, it also doesn't discuss things in a way that is over your head.I've picked this book up at least twice a week for the last twelve weeks. Invaluable.NOTE: this edition is for independent contractors, freelancers and consultants - mainly people whose primary purpose is to provide a SERVICE (where goods/materials are incidental.) If you're primarily looking to provide GOODS (in other words, sell tangible products) then please be aware that Nolo makes a different guide for that, and this is not the best version for you.

I've looked at, bought, and borrowed several other books like this one, but none offered anywhere near the detail on income and self-employment tax that this book does. There are actually several chapters (5) dedicated just to taxation, including rates, audit trends, pros and cons of doing things one way over another, even information on paying estimated taxes that was written in a way that I finally understood it. I went through it all extensively with a highlighter, and came out understanding much more than when I'd asked my retired CPA uncle. As a newcomer to the self-employed workforce, I was grateful for the information I found here.Oh, and the rest of the book is great too! The suggestions for record-keeping, documenting expenses, samples of contracts and legal forms, copyright and trademark advice -- it's all exactly what I needed. I wish I had found this book first, it would have saved me a lot of time and money. Highly recommended as the all-in-one resource it claims to be.

I still refer to this book from time to time

After surveying most of the small biz books out there, this is the far and away the best. Fishman claims his focus is on sole proprietors in a service business (in part to not compete with Steingold's Nolo Press book on small biz which isn't nearly as good). Even if you have an inventory based biz, 95% of this book is still extremely helpful. It covers the widest rage of topics and in more depth and with better organization than any other book on the subject. You won't need many other books except maybe something specific for taxes (do not get Nolo's Tax Savy book -- its very superficial; I really haven't found a tax book that I like yet). If your business will be very large and complex (and especially if it will involve other investors, complex financing, employees or IP) also get the Entrepeneur's Guide to Business Law by Bagley and Dauchy.

Despite a good background in accounting, I found deciphering newer law and tax issues for a small business nearly overwhelming. After many visits to the IRS pages and several phone calls to their offices, I let my fingers do the walking and purchased Fishman's guide. How I wish I had started with this book. It is easy to understand, comprehensive enough for most small businesses, and organized into sections that are clearly indexed. I made several business decision with ease this year because I had read the tax implications and understood what was important in planning and what could be a big mistake. Anyone who plans ahead for business profitability will benefit from the expertise available in this guide.