Why is it illegal to run a business out of your home in the USA?
It’s legal to run a business from your home. It’s not legal to run every kind of business from your home.Some businesses are illegal, no matter where they are. Drug dealer, prostitute, and others.Some businesses are illegal because of health regulations. Bakery, tattoo parlour or other businesses that require inspections.Some businesses are illegal because they disrupt the neighborhood. A nail salon with 10+ customers an hour would likely be prohibited in zoning laws, as the impact on neighbours would be high, even if the business itself is not “bad”. A home-based beautician that only had one appt per hour may be lawful at the same address.But if you want to be an Amazon affiliate who works from home and spends 20 hours a day spamming links to products you get a kick-back on, I know of nowhere in the USA where that business, run out of your home, would be any more illegal than doing it in an office building. You can incorporate and use your home address as your corporation’s address.
Is it illegal to have an industrial/welding business at home out of garage?
I just moved into what I thought was a nice quiet area. Turns out, almost everyday out of the garage of my neighbor, it gets very loud as it looks like he's operating some sort of welding/construction business. It gets very annoying to hear the loud circular saws, the booming of metal clashing together, the pounding of sledgehammers, and literally seeing sparks fly. I've approached him before only to be told he'll keep the doors closed. That hasn't helped any. Is performing this type of ongoing business at home legal? And just to clarify, he isn't performing this work on his own home.
What should I do if my neighbor is running an illegal business?
What kind of illegal business? Without that information yours is a hard question to answer. If you mean criminal (drug dealing for example), then calling the police with your information that leads you to believe it would be the place to start. If you mean your neighbor is running a business (I am referring to the US) in an area that is zoned to prevent business from operating (example: you live in a single residence zone and they are running a store) then a call to the zoning enforcement officer would be the place to start. In some towns and cities that person is the building inspector, in others they have a specific person aside from the building inspector who enforces the zoning ordinance).
What states is it illegal to be a phone sex operator?
I don't think it is illegal in any state but I think in California,Nevada and if I am not mistaken,New York you have to apply for a business license before you can do such work.I think there are certain counties where it is illegal,like in parts of Texas and Oklahoma,sex shops,phone sex and strip clubs are illegal.Your best bet would be to ask the company you want to work for or ask others in the business,if all else fails just call the non emergency number of the police station or sheriffs office and ask,or go to your local police station and ask.It never hurts to ask before you do such a thing.
Is it bad karma for reporting illegal things - such as operating schools without permit/ behind the books?
I wanted to know if it is bad karma for reporting illegal operation of running a school and earning money behind the books. On top of that, getting health care services and possibly avoiding to pay tax for the earnings. This organization is a non-profit religious place but the school on another floor is not registered. The students are registered in another state through a certified school but they go to the school in this state. I wanted to report it knowing its unfair to all the people who work hard for their money and don't have enough money for health care, while these people rip off the government and not pay taxes for those people who actually protect us and those need the money. But I got guilty conscious and felt like it's wrong to do. And then, I think it is best to report it because it's the right thing to do - to report what's wrong/illegal business. Will I get bad karma for doing this? Meaning is it considered a bad deed since I would be reporting a educational place? I hope you understand what I mean. I want to do the right thing but I feel bad at the same time for the students. God bless.
Running a small business "under the table" - can you be forced to pay taxes?
If you run what could be considered a "small business" under the table, do not have a business name and are paid in cash, but make a considerable amount of income (just do not document it) can you be forced to pay taxes on it? for example, a licensed mechanic who runs his shop out of a storage shed and only accepts cash payments, does not have any other job or income source and keeps all money made in the bank but does not report making any income whatsoever. Can someone report them for evading taxes? Obviously with the economy being so bad people seem to be doing this quite a bit to save money and maximize profit, just wondering how "legal" it really is.
Is it illegal to run an auto repair business out of your house?
Well…no. At least, not where I live.It’s called “curbing” here. Although the term is usually applied to guys who buy “fixer” cars and then repair and flip them for profit.I’ve dealt with a few curbers in the municipality where I currently reside. Some of them specialize. For instance: the friend of a friend who specialized in automotive glass. Had the windshield on my Ex’s Chevy Tracker replaced by him. Job was as solid as one of the chain shops…only without a warranty. Luckily, I didn’t need a warranty; and the cost savings was appreciated at the time. Another fellow specialized in exhaust work. Did you know coat hanger wire could be used in place of mild steel welding rod? I didn’t. ’Course you come to expect that from someone whose payment scheme is “bring a flat of LGD”.Curbers generally work on only one vehicle at a time. More than one vehicle, even on private property, will get you a visit from Bylaw Enforcement.Don’t work on public roadways.Heaven help you if an automotive fluid spill reaches the local storm line and Bylaw Enforcement finds out about it. Run your shop clean and dry and take care not to let any spills spread beyond your property lines.That’s about all I know about it from having talked to people here and there over the years. It’s more of a sideline or “hobby” job than a full-time occupation.Another variation is the “mobile mechanic”. That’s where you run a small shop out of a van or similar vehicle; plus you make house calls.Note: LGD = Labatt Genuine Draft beer. Flat of 24 cans.
Can my city legally deny me a business license saying its illegal when they have approved it for someone else?
Everything the city does must be authorized by the city ordinance. In this case it sounds like they are zoning ordinance, sometimes called the land use ordinance. Then you should also check the ordinance involving the issuance of business licenses. Be careful not to fall into the trap of arguing that you are being treated differently then others. A lot of factors could be at play in the other cases. Those businesses may have been created before an ordinance was amended or they may be in a different zone with different permitted uses. After you have examined all of the appropriate ordinances you should be able to make a public records request for copies of all applications, correspondence, records or business licenses for the existing business. Ultimately you may have to take your case to the courts if you find that the city has violated their own ordinances.
Why is it illegal for someone to start their own private taxi business with their own car?
I know someone who operates an “illegal” taxi business.My uncle in law is retired, and like many retirees, he was bored within the first 6 months of his golden years.So what does he do?Starts working at Uber.After a few months, he realized a ton of his neighbors are hailing rides to go to the airport - that's when it hit him. Since the airport was far away, the rides would often be $50+ dollars in an Uber ride.Why get a percentage cut from his pay by Uber for driving people he knows to the airport on a regular basis?He cut a deal with his regular Uber customers (mostly neighbors) and now gives them rides to the airport for 45 dollars per ride and they don't have tocwait around for an Uber. It's a guaranteed ride by someone they know and trust.The word started to spread in his community and now he gives several trips to and from the airport a month.He makes about 50% more money doing this than driving for Uber. The best part is that it's all cash under the table so he gains more profit and pays no tax.This is illegal because he doesn't pay taxes, doesn't have a commercial licence nor does he have a registered taxi business.But who cares? He's never going to get caught… unless one of his retired neighbors doesn't like him.