Freelance Home Based Business - Question (Denver: lawyers, neighborhood, contractors)

[ashhxc]

Does anyone know if a freelance graphic designer would require a business license in Denver? The business would be creative based and named after the designer.

Example: JohnSmithDoe.com

First Name: John
Middle Name: Smith
Last Name: Doe

Much appreciated!

[davebarnes]

You definitely need to register with the Colorado SoS.
Introduction
Can be done 100% online.

[sickofhumidity]

Hmm. I don't know about design, but I'm a freelance writer and I've never registered for a business license anywhere.

[2bindenver]

I would name the company after the website - JohnSmithDoeDesigns.com

[sickofhumidity]

I'd never heard of needing a business license so this thread made me go look it up. I found a couple of articles. Here is one:

The answer depends on where you work and what you do. A few states -- including Alaska and Washington -- require all businesses to get a state business license. Most states aren't this fussy, but they do require people in certain occupations -- such as doctors, lawyers, nurses, and architects -- to get a state license. We're not aware of any state that requires software developers to get a special state business license.
Many cities, counties, and municipalities require local business licenses, even for one-person, home-based operations. Usually, you can get this type of license simply by paying a fee. Some cities don't impose any license requirements at all, or exempt very small businesses.
To figure out what to do, call your local official in charge of business licensing. This might be the city or county clerk, planning or zoning department, city tax office, building and safety department, or department of public works. Your local chamber of commerce might be able to tell you who to call.
One word of warning: Before you apply for a local business license, make sure that your zoning laws allow home businesses. If your city or county prohibits home businesses in your neighborhood and takes this ban seriously, you could get into trouble when you apply for a local business license. You'll have to provide your business address to get the license, and your city and county might check first to make sure that your neighborhood is zoned for home businesses.
Many self-employed people, particularly those who work at home, never bother to get a local business license. If your local government discovers that you're running an unlicensed business, it may fine you and bar you from doing business until you get a license. However, the chances of discovery are probably quite small (especially if you're not doing anything to annoy your neighbors -- and thereby increase the chances that they might report you to the local authorities).

Do independent contractors need business licenses? - Nolo.com

I did find one case of someone who got fined for doing freelance work for years without a license, but the total amount was a little over $300... It would suck, but it's not exactly life ruining or anything. If you're concerned you can just get the license. I tend to take my chances with stuff like this. To me, it sounds like it wouldn't be worth if it if they would literally tell you that you couldn't work from home if you live in a certain neighborhood. I've never heard of this, but surely it's referring to something other than working from home on the Internet, right?

[ashhxc]

Thanks for all the information! Much appreciated!