Start a business at 17?

[Kerr]

I want to Start a computer repair/services business next year (I Will Be 17)

(I live in idaho)

Would this be legal? Or should i have my Parents make it and "hire" me?

I Already have all of the knowledge needed for this (will be getting a certification some time this summer in PC Repair, im taking the course right now but not learning much except some fine details of it)

I figured it would work best if I did it out of the paper and from home. (no overhead)

I Have already fixed all of the computers in my home (Lol, they all needed fixin! My Bro's was vista that was crippled and ran like crap no matter what, he complained about it every day time he needed to use it, i got a new HDD and put XP on the thing for him. runs like a dream now)
my 8 year old desktop, i have replaced everything but the processor and mobo, literally everything.
(hdd, psu, gfx, ram, cd/dvd, floppy...)
I've built 2 computers, and am fixing a laptop for someone right now (they dropped it, i already fixed the power connection but now he gets BSOD related to the HDD having probs, replacing the HDD by creating an image on my system and putting it on a new hdd)

And I know I can compete (at low profits) as I can *barely* beat the local prices on computers.
(We went to costco last night, they have the HIGHEST prices, i designed 1 build with 4 GB ddr3, 640 GB hdd, a real GPU, amd athlon 2 regor 3 ghz, and other fixings and included the whole system with monitor, and added in shipping -- One with 4 gb ddr2, half the hdd, no gpu, etc in that store was $50 more than the one i had designed. and i saw someone buy it while we were there, i was happy knowing i CAN provide just as good a service... although advertising could be a problem)

...

uhh basically i came to ask if it's legal for be to start a sole proprietor business in idaho at 16/17 years old.

[jnt8686]

I would say you should just keep repairing people's computers for cash. The only benefit that a sole proprietorship will give you is in terms of taxes and other technicalities, I would say you should get into actually doing more of the actual business, fixing computers etc. Once you are operating like a real business, pulling in the thousands of dollars a month (it is possible!) that the IRS will take a closer look at, then you can consider actually filing paperwork.

And about selling computers, if it was that easy to undercut all of the major computer manufacturers, who have professional designers and factories in china, everybody would do it. The only reason steve jobs, that dell guy, mr hewlett and mr packard, etc. were so successful is because no one was doing it at the time. Just some things to think about, in business you always have to be offering something that nobody else has, otherwise no one will have any reason to buy from you. You can't approach it like "I want to make computers and I want people to give me money!!!"

Also, about your original question, don't take this in a bad way, I'm not trying to be rude, but I would say head to the library, crack the books, and find out yourself. If you're not ready to find the answer to such a simple question, you are not ready to run a business. Again, I know that sounds rude, but it's the truth.

The one benefit a sole proprietorship could give you is the mental edge of you taking your business more seriously because it is "official". And it will give you an intro to our complicated tax and legal system. I would say go ahead and do it just for those reasons.

[riddings]

I agree with jnt8686 and his comments...

One of the things you'll want to pay close attention to is sales tax and a local business license... I understand you'll only be 17 but I've found some government agencies are not very empathetic to circumstance. Typically, city business licenses are inexpensive - sales tax permits are free - and typically you can find FREE information and resources on state government websites regarding the process of opening a business in the state / city... Read the info.

Also confirm Sales Tax expectations, laws, and payments... For example, many places do not charge sales tax on services only on product - some states do not have sales tax at all, and some charge sales tax on anything and everyone... Just check it out - it's better to be in the know than ignorant...

I say, get a business license, understand the sales tax laws in your area and get to work... And Run your business (and life) on a cash-basis, nothing worse than being 21 one day and owing $100,000...

[SubZeroGames]

hey there, the best part about this type of business is that it can also be called a "Hobby." No licences are required to start. You can accept cash or paypal. The only time you will need to get licences is if you wish to expand and start using merchant accounts, and maybe even go commercial.

You can always talk to your parents tax attorney. They will tell you the laws on it.