What country are you from and do you pay any taxes for freelancing offshore? I've been working fulltime as a freelance programmer but never worked locally, so I'm wondering of any legal issues here...
Hey there, I worked as a freelancer in the US. We do have to pay taxes because we are like our own business. Trust me, governement will collect taxes anyway they can.. Sincerely, Travis Walters
Here in Canada, if you operate a legit web business or if you do freelancing you are considered a sole proprietor or general contractor. Include taxes in your invoices and set that money aside in a separate bank account for when tax season comes. Oh and probably the most important thing any freelancer here will tell you; deductions - don't throw out your receipts!
Hey there, What type of deducations do you take out for? This could help on next years tax form Sincerely, Travis Walters
Anything you buy to help operate your business. Pens, books, learning / upgrading (legit ie: school fees), paper, software, hardware, travel expenses, dinners with clients, office space(house or business), ad campaigns, hiring freelancers to work on your site. Then there is the obivious, children, significant other and etc. Check with your local accountant, they should have some interesting state deducations or credits you can recieve.
on this same note, are any of you incorporated? I was thinking about doing it, but I heard that you need to hire an accountant (which is what I don't understand), any advice would help. I'm a little afraid of the fact that technically speaking, if I get sued, I could lose everything I own.
Hey there, The thing that really bites about freelancing is clients ripping you off. I lost about $800 dollars before. There was nothing I could really do about it because he was a foreign client. Going after him would have cost me more than I made on the project. Working through intermediaries are alright, but you have to give up about 10% of your earnings. Sincerely, Travis Walters