FPBCN (naturally)

I started filling out the "Application for Unincorporated ID Number. "
It asked if I owned or leased property and what it was worth.
Okay. I'm biting the bullet. My junky computer equipment and tools might fetch 300 bucks on Ebay.
That's what I'm saying.


It then asks me for a "Federal Principal Business Code Number". Oooo-kay. Wuzzat?
In the document:
http://naicscode.com/faq/irsbacfaq.asp

The FPBCN is defined as the activity from which the company derives the largest percentage of its "total receipts".

You can figure out what best describes what you do at:
http://naicscode.com/default.asp

I punched in computer repair and got a few pages to choose from. A javascript link there sent me to THIS page:
http://naicscode.com/Search/MoreNAICSDetail.asp?N=811212#Description

The FPBCN:

811212

Computer and Office Machine Repair and Maintenance - 2002 NAICS Code

sounds like it fits the bill. 2002 appears to be the most recent set to choose from. I assume this is the number they're looking for.

It also offered the following "SIC Code":
7378 - Computer Maintenance and Repair

I'll make a mental note in case some other form asks me for it one day.

Runaround Part 1 - Personal Property

And so it begins.

Before you can fill out the Doing-Business-As DBA "Trade Name Application" form in Maryland, you must first get a "Personal Property Account" number to fill in question 4 on the DBA - TNA form.

The Personal Property number is only needed if your business is going to own or lease property at any point. (Other than a street mime, what business doesn't use any equipment???!!!)

This is annoying.
Fortunately my assistant isn't in desperate need of his funding.
Maybe I can pay him interest! That'd salve the wound, I hope.

So I found a "Personal Property Brochure" at:
http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/personal.html#forms

A link labeled "Personal Property Brochure", oddly enough is very near the top and also listed under "Other Information".


Apparently, sole proprietorships (I believe First Stop qualifies for that description) call the state to find out if they need to report personal property. It may be obvious in some cases, but if I don't have to file, I'd really rather not.

If you are setting up a business in Maryland, you'll be calling:

Department of Assessments and Taxation Business Personal Property Unit
301 West Preston Street,Room 801
Baltimore, MD 21201-2395
(410) 767-4991 Fax: 410-333-7937
1-888-246-5941 (toll free within MD)

Other ways to reach the Department are:
Website . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.dat.state.md.us
Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . persprop@dat.state.md.us
MD Relay Service . . . . . 1-800-735-2258 TT/voice

The Department also has a local assessment office in each of the counties where forms and routine information may be obtained.


I'll email the state and see what they say.

At the very bottom of the page I saw a link to the Application for Unincorporated ID Number
It's found at:
http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/pp_AT3-73nofill.pdf

I am confident this is what I'll need if the state says I have to have this Account #.

Getting the DBA

This blog is dedicated towards documenting a clueless techie's journey towards business mogul.
I have a check in hand using a business name I came up with.
To cash it I need a bank account.
To get the bank account, I need a DBA form (doing business at)
To get a DBA form, you need to find your state's requirements.

You can find them at:
http://www.business.gov/guides/business_law/dba.html

My state links (Maryland) are here:
Trade Name Application
http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/nameappl.pdf

Business Registration and Trade Name FAQ
http://www.towson.edu/sbdc/FAQ.asp

Dear lord, what have I done?

Needing money, I found a side job on Craig's list to network an office with a network switch and Ethernet cables.

The man who hired me liked my work so much he has hired me on regularly for spot tech support.

The need for money isn't going away any time soon and at the age of 40, I get nervous about trying to get another job when medical bills scare some employers away.

With that in mind, I thought I would start a business that could take the place of my job one day. I got a web site name that fit my idea for a tech support business and registered www.firststoptech.com.

I developed an invoice with my new business name and I was recently paid for a rather big job with the business name right on the check.

I can't cash it. I MUST become a business.

This is for the best. I did the last job with a buddy and part of the money is his. I subcontracted two minor fixes to another friend. I have two employees, of sorts. Contractors really, but they answer to me.

I am CEO, supervisor and project manager now.
I do business development and marketing.

Now I have a check in 4 figures that I can't cash and my buddy deserves his cut.
I've told him of the obstacle.
I'm looking into a "Doing Business As" as explained at http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/businessstructure/a/doingbusinessas.htm

I've done it once before for a non-profit project, but this is an ongoing thing.

I also need to get the banking account going, but the DBA was a requirement. So first things first.