I would recommend you to register an LLC. Get a website done. advertise your
services online.

I do agree with this. Having your own website can also gain more good feedbacks. It can help your business improve better than ever.

Please add only new thoughts to this thread. You can agree with a previous post by giving it 'kudos'.

What you need to do side work of computer consulting will generally be determined by your local jurisdiction. It would be a good idea to check with your local city hall or business development department in your area and they will provide with the information that will help you get your consulting business off on the right foot. I hope this helps. sport fishing. ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

Just report all of your income and you'll be fine. The good news is that now your computer and phone are business expenses (if they are only used for business). Start to track your mileage as well. Stan @ SonicPrint Postcard Marketing Tips ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

It is a good idea to have your own web site for credibility.  Client testimonials are important.  List yourself on local bartering sites if you are willing to take something besides cash for your work.  I have actually seen people list themselves available for work for groceries and be taken up on it by a wholesale grocery distributor!

Since you are just starting out as 'a side job', keeping things simple entity-wise is the way to go. Most localities do not require that you register a business if you are just using your exact given name; however, if you add anything to your name then you do need a 'DBA' or fictitious name so check this out with your municipal clerk.   One thing that you need to keep in mind is that if you do consulting work for a business and that business pays you $600 or more in the course of a year then they will issue you a Form 1099 for whatever they paid you so keep track of all your business related expenses.   -Scott

I agree. Start off slowly. Then once you are making money create an LLC or 's' corp.   You should register a domain name now and advertise your services on your domain. This way you have that domain name locked up before it gets taken.

They are correct it all depend on how far you want to take the computer consulting work.   It would be a good idea to start off as self employed (side income).   Then once it take off then consider registering a name and set up as a sole LLC    

I agree it all depends on where you want to take your side business. But consider this, as long as you remain a side business and do not incorporate as an LLC or an S Corp you will be taxed as self employed and that is signifigantly higher than if incorporated and it also limits you to the amount of deductions you can take on your taxes.   Depending on the volume of the side jobs you are doing and the amount of income you are making from them will determine if you should incorporate.   To get a better grasp on when that timeline is I recommend consulting a CPA so they can layout the pro's and con's of incorporation.