How to do a Retreat / Worksheets V.2

ROUGH DRAFT

I'm a huge fan of retreats!
Especially in the summer.

Yes, it's true ... it can feel super difficult to find the time, space, and money. And yes, it's true, it can feel indulgent. And bring up weird/uncomfortable feelings. (I feel guilty. Am I allowed to do this? Why am I so tired? Why am I sad, when this is supposed to be fun?)

Also, retreats pay off - both for you, to feel better. And for your business.
Also, you are worth it. 

You are the talent, you need support.
You are the leader of your business, you need space for inspiration and setting the next direction.
You are the manager of your talent, you need strategies to stay in alignment with your vision.

We spend most of our time during the year meeting other people's needs. 
This is the time of year to tune into your needs.
And then, to adjust the business to make it a more ideal job for you AND to offer more value for your clients/customers.

I believe it's essential to both you as a person, and the success of your business!
(Also, you can write-off the cost / it's a business deduction.)

♥
Interested in setting one up for yourself?
Check out these worksheets below. They are all in BETA form.
 

Read this one first - How to Do a Personal/Professional Retreat

Then program Options:
Taking Stock
Rest / Fill the Reserves
Intuition
Inspiration
New Skill
Focused Work
Debrief/Reflect on a specific experience or chapter.

• How to Order 1099-MISC Forms (free!)

Not sure if you need 1099-MISC forms?  Read about them here.

When:  Order in Nov or Dec
Forms Due:  January 31
Estimated Time:  3 minutes
Cost:  Free
Frustration Factor:  1 out of 10

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If you plan to use paper 1099-MISC forms (1099s for short), you'll need to order them from IRS.gov.  It's not possible to simply print them off ... because they are carbon forms. 

Here are the steps.  There are screenshots are below.

1.  Go to IRS.gov
2.  Select "Forms & Publications" ~ Top right side
3.  Select "Order Forms and Pubs" ~ Left side
4.  Select "Online Ordering for Information Returns and Employer Returns"
5.  Scroll Down to see chart of forms
6.  Notice there are two empty boxes for each form ~ one is for 2017 forms, the other is for 2018 forms
7.  Keep scrolling until you see 1099-MISC
8.  Put the desired number of forms that you need in the left box, for 2017 forms
9.  Put a number 1 next to the Instructions
10.  Scroll down to the bottom and select "Add to Cart"
11.  Follow the checkout process

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The first picture starts on the "Order Forms and Pubs" page.

The Chart of Forms - The actual chart is longer than what's shown here.

The beginning of the checkout process.

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To read about 1099s + w-9s, click here.  (Coming soon.)
Need help filling out your 1099s?  Click here.  (Coming soon.)

Great job staying on top of things for tax season!

♥ Jenny Girl Friday

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Would you like to receive friendly reminders for tax season ... delivered right to your inbox?  Sign up for Sidekick Services!  Asking for a small annual donation.

• How to Set Up Your Business in Seattle - as an LLC / PLLC

A Bigger Splash, David Hockney • Credit below.

Setting up an LLC business doesn't take much time!  ….That is, if you know what to do, what you need, and the right order of steps.  Here's where I've got you covered.  

(Not sure if you want an LLC?  Read Sole Proprietor or LLC:  Which is Best for Me?)

Below is the quick and dirty list.  Detailed notes are at the bottom of the post.  

If you know your business name(s), the whole process takes about one hour.

Go ahead, take the plunge!

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Pro Tip:  Get a journal to record all your log-ins, passwords, IDs, and various notes as you go through the process.  Use in the future for all research and calls related to taxes and licensing.  

1)  Register your LLC / PLLC.

Through:  the Washington Secretary of State
Click here to go directly to registration.
Cost:  $200
Time:  10 minutes

2) Pause + wait for your UBI

You'll need your UBI to go on to the next steps.  (Unified Business Identifier.) It's a lot like your social security number, in that it's a tax ID number assigned to you ... and banks and other organizations will ask for it to identify you.  It'll be provided along with your LLC documents.  Most often, it's in a 9 digit format.  Sometimes it'll be in a 16 digit format, where there are 0s and 1s at the end, noting your "business ID" and "location ID".

3) Apply for your state business license.

Through:  Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS)
Uses MyDOR portal.
Click here to go to read more information on the BLS.WA.gov site
Cost:  $19 plus $5 for each DBA
Time:  15 - 20 minutes

4) Apply for your city business license.

Through:  City of Seattle Business Department
Uses the FileLocal Portal.
Click here to read more on the city’s website
Cost:  $113 for standard, $56 if you plan to gross under $20K per year.
Time:  15 - 20 minutes

That's it!  You're in business.  …but you're not quite done.  To be legal, you need to ensure that you have all of the special permits and licenses for your line of business. 

5) Optional ~ Apply for an EIN

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number.  It's a tax ID number assigned to businesses by the IRS.  If you are a sole prop or a single-member LLC, you are allowed to use your SSN for business purposes.  Having said that, banks and online forms will often required you to have an EIN.  The issue is that the number formatting is different.  With your social security number, it looks like 000-00-0000.  With an EIN, it looks like 00-0000000. 

Good news!  It's easy, free, and only takes 10 minutes.  Here's the link:  Get EIN on IRS.gov.  Or, go to IRS.gov and search for EIN.  Heads up, this web service is only available during the daytime.

6) Do your due diligence.

At the state level, check the List of Licenses 
This is a list by trade, with links to relevant licensing agencies.  
Here's the list of Endorsements required by some businesses.
Or, call the BLS:  1-800-451-7985

And, at the city level, check the Regulatory Endorsements page.
Or, call the City of Seattle:  206.684.2489

Another nice tool is the WA Business Hub.  It's created to walk anyone through the setting up a business.  There's a TON on there.

7) Celebrate!

* * Please note:  The intent of this post is to get you started!  And, to provide you with the required framework for every business.  Your field may require additional permitting or specialty licenses not covered here.  For best results, call the city or state.  

Happy Working,
Jenny Girl Friday

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Some Helpful Details

With the LLC Registration

Some things you'll be asked:  
        • the legal name of your company
        • 2 alternate names
        • start date - day of filing, or a specific date
                              (Tip:  pick one that's easy to remember or has meaning for you.)
        • perpetual or specific time period

Mostly, you will have to put your name and address in a million times.  Because, as a single-member LLC, you are the member, the manager, the agent, and registrar.  You fill all the roles.

Even though you will be a limited liability company, LLCs are handled along with the corporations.  

For the State Business License

Some things you'll be asked:  
        • the UBI - you get this when your LLC goes through - it is your Unified Business Identifier
        • what bank you'll be using
        • your SSN and your partner's SSN
        • description of your business:  1- 2 sentences
        • trade name(s)
        • which cities you'll be doing business in (you need a license for each one)

For the City Business License

Some things you'll be asked:  
        • the UBI - you get this when your LLC goes through - it is your Unified Business Identifier
        • estimated income

• Meet FileLocal - Seattle's New Portal for License Renewal and B & O Tax Reporting

Important Note: Filelocal has changed it’s sign up process, so the screenshots will look different than what you see below. This will still give you a general idea. I hope to update soon! ~ January 16, 2019

Grab some coffee (maybe wine), a few deep breaths, perhaps a friend ... and get ready to set up your FileLocal account.

Estimated Time:  10 - 25 minutes
Frustration Factor:  4 out of 10
Cost:  Free
Recommended Timeframe:  November or December

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If you're self-employed in Seattle, the city requires three things of you:

• Get a city business license, when you start
• Renew city business license, annually
• Make a report of Gross Sales, annually* 

If you make over $100K, then there's a fourth requirement:  paying B & O taxes.

*For most.  Some businesses are required to report quarterly.

In the past, Seattle used a portal called SELF.  It's now switching over to FileLocal.  

The city's encouraging us to set up our FileLocal account sooner than later ... and I can sure see why!  I just ran through it this morning, hit a snag, and had to find a ton of information!  Not to worry, I've got you covered.  :)

FileLocal asks for ALL of your business numbers.  You can either find these things as you go, or look them up ahead of time.  It definitely took me a little rummaging... This list might vary in order from the application.  ProTip: If you haven't already, write all your numbers in one special notebook.

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The List in Brief (details below):

1.  Federal Tax Number
2.  UBI - 16 digit version
3.  NAICS code
4.  Seattle Customer Number

1.  Federal Tax Number.  If you are a sole prop or a single-member LLC, you might be using your SSN for this.  This is totally fine for the IRS.  However, this form requires you to have an EIN!  (Or FEIN.) So, if you don't have one already, you'll need to get one.  It's easy, free, and only takes 10 minutes.  Here's the link:  Get EIN on IRS.gov.  Or, go to IRS.gov and search for EIN.  Heads up, this web service is only available during the daytime.

2.  UBI - 16 digit version.  This is your WA state business number + some codes.  (UBI stands for Unified Business Identifier.) Usually, we only use 9 digits.  It's in the form ###-###-###.  The 16 digit version asks you to add two numbers at the end.  Your Business ID and Location ID.  If you only have one office, then it's easy.  Business ID is 001, and Location ID is 0001.  

So, your number will look like ### ### ### 001 0001.  Screenshot below.

To find your UBI, you can: look on your LLC certificate (if you have one), look on your WA state business license, or look on your city license.  OR, you can search for your business at the DOR lookup.

3.  NAICS code.  This is a code assigned to your business by the state.  It's used for statistical purposes only.  The easiest way to find it is to use the DOR lookup.  Once the search results come up, select your business, view your profile, and the code will be listed there.  The other option is to select one that matches your business ... using the  dropdown menu on the FileLocal form.  

4.  Seattle Customer Number.  Early in the application it asks for "City Account Number".  It wants the Seattle Customer Number that's been assigned to you.  It also comes up if you want to search for your UBI.  On that screen, it asks for your Validation or Verification number.  (I can't remember which.)  Your Seattle Customer Number is the ticket there.

To find your Seattle Customer Number, look on your city business license, or sign into the SELF Portal, and look at your list of businesses.  It's listed next to the name of your business.

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Summary

In this process, you provide your basic contact information, then all of your government numbers (so it can link up to those accounts) ... then at the end ... the whole point is to add the Tax Forms you'll be filing.  For now, this is only the "Seattle B & O Tax form".  Screenshot below.

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The SNAG I Hit + Getting Help

On one of the last screens, it said that my UBI didn't match my business location!  I called the Help number listed on the FileLocal site.  They directed me to the city of Seattle.  It turns out, the city had my incorrect UBI!  These things happen, I suppose.

The guy helping me was super, super nice.  He fixed it and the FileLocal site worked immediately.

Help Numbers:
Seattle:     206.684.8484
FileLocal:  877-693-4435

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Now, for some pictures + notes:

Out with the Old - Seattle SELF Portal

In with the New - the FileLocal Dashboard.   (You won't see this screen until the very end.)

A few Screenshots along the application

This one shows the 16 digit UBI.  Also NOTE:  the circles on the left refer to the screens...they don't match the content on the right.

YOU CAN EITHER IMPORT YOUR WA BUSINESS DATA, OR PUT IT IN MANUALLY.  IF YOU IMPORT IT, IT WILL ASK YOU FOR A VALIDATION NUMBER.  THIS IS YOUR 6 DIGIT CITY CUSTOMER NUMBER.

If you're a PLLC, it looks like you'll have to choose LLC - Single Member.

At the end, they're asking you which Tax Forms you want to file through their portal.  The one you want is "Seattle B & O Tax Form".

Haha...when you're all done, it congratulates you in red ... as if it's an error message!  Reroute your brain to the word, 'successfully'.  Cheers and head out to Ladywell's or have bubble bath.  (Maybe Try the amazing Bath Bombs with Braddington Soaps!)

Bravo!

: )  Jenny Girl Friday

P.S.  Please share freely with your friends who are self-employed!