I hope that you can get an answer tomorrow.

There is a difference between a business license and a state/federal tax ID. Are you talking about a license or an ID number? Two completely different things.

So when you call and ask questions, be sure that you have the correct nomenclature so that you don't confuse things more.

Sorry that I can't help. Hope it works out ok, tho.

If you only need a federal ID number (these are also used by the states to identify your business) you can do that online now at the IRS website below, which also includes more information about EINs (employer id number).

If you need to be licensed by your state, I would look at your state's website and see if you need a specific license to be a fitness instructor in your area.

See the link below and go to "APPLY ONLINE NOW" to get the EIN. It only takes a few minutes. If you are an independent consultant you are supposed to choose "Sole Proprietor" when you get to business type.

Here is a link that might be useful: IRS federal tax ID link

Also, there are simple 'business licenses' issued by local entities, usually cities. This is different from Setancre's mention of a specific state license for your job, such as cosmetology or massage, for example.

Three different things:
Tax Federal ID number,
state license for your job, if needed, and
city business license, if needed.

Thank you for the info! I got an EIN through the website. Piece of cake!

I talked with my current boss this morning and she told me that she always considered me an independent contractor and I do get a 1099.

I asked a few others that have their own businesses and they said my SS# should be sufficient. I finally got through to the state and they verified I should use my SS#. I am only providing services and getting paid by the club. No money is received from clients.

Now, I just got an email from this new employer stating that my SS# should be fine and I can start Friday. She isn't the HR gal, so I am not blaming her. However, HR should have told me this from the beginning. Maybe they need more training, I don't know. I have an HR degree too. Maybe this instructor job will segue into something more. Just kidding! I never actually worked in the field as circumstances sent me into an education field.

Anyway, thanks for the help. At least I have the EIN and can start on time. As for a city license, I am not even going to open that Pandora's box!

Great! Congrats on the new job, and I hope it's a great experience!

I know it may seem like a pain, but you really should go talk to a lawyer about setting up your own company. If you are working as an independent contractor, you have potential liabilities that employees don't.

Also, if you have been working for years and haven't noticed the difference between a 1099 and a w2, you need to see a tax professional immediately.

Thanks Sushipup.

Billl, I never said I don't know the difference. What I said was I do get a 1099 from my current employer. I have also received W-2's from some of the larger clubs. Every place I have worked has covered me under its insurance; I have never needed to carry my own liability insurance nor have I needed to set up my own company. I didn't understand why this new company couldn't just hire me under a 1099 with my own name and SS# and just require the liability insurance from the beginning. Essentially this is what they ended up doing. For a whopping $9,000 a year, I probably won't waste my time on either a lawyer or a tax professional.

"What I said was I do get a 1099 from my current employer"

If you get a 1099, you don't have an employer - you have a contract.

If you are going to work as an independent contractor without insurance, well....I wish you the best of luck but I wouldn't recommend it. Whether you realize it or not, you are taking a significant risk. We aren't talking about 9k a year - more like everything you own. We live in a country where anyone can sue anyone for any reason under the sun.

Also so as an independent contractor you owe self employment taxes in the states you have worked and back Social Security unless the companies you have been at reduced your income by these amounts and actually paid the various taxes.

As Bill stated you need to talk to an attorney to establish a company plus a tax person to clear up any back taxes you owe.

Good Luck, sounds like you will need a lot of it.

I use the term employer because at the present time I only work for her. Everything is covered under her insurance. I am getting the liability insurance I need for this new job I don't owe any backtaxes. And, I don't believe in luck.

1099's do not have a place for Social Security that should have been paid in. If no social security has been paid in other taxes may not have been paid in. In this state about every 5 years or so the state looks at money raising things and people not paying their self employement taxes is high on the roundup list.

Please follow Bill's advice and have someone in your state look at your tax situation. Liability insurance may be the least of things that you should be concerned about.

Well, maifleur, actually they do. Most "employers", i.e. the people who have contracted with us aren't obligated to pay or enter any amounts there. It is our responsibility as contract workers. But most of us getting 1099's know that, and still manage to file our taxes correctly.

I worked for years as a contractor for two businesses. Any accountant and ALL tax preparation software programs have all the rules and information needed. OF COURSE I paid my self-employment taxes! And I'm confident the OP did too.

Mary, if the OP did not know the difference between a 1099 and a W-2, see 9-28 at 18:35. I sincerely hope who ever did her taxes knew the difference and paid them but unless the OP can verify that we will never know.

Mary, there are very many people who receive a 1099MISC who have no idea that they have to pay self employment taxes on that income. I see them every year in my tax practice.

Form 1099MISC has a block for Federal and state income taxes withheld but there is no block for Medicare or Social Security taxes withheld.

Personally, I think companies that hire people as independent contractors should be obligated to tell the individual that they will owe self employment taxes. Many fail miserably at doing this.

I also know that there are many companies who hire people as independent contractors who should be classified as employees which is a totally different subject.