What is the main difference between being self employed and consulting?
409045
Consulting tends to have more short-term projects that you take on and then you move onto the next project, especially in "freelance consulting" (aka unemployed).  You might help one company with a project for a few months and then move on to another company after that.\n\nSelf-employed might mean you're doing your own thing but it's more long term and steady.  For example, you might open your own doctor's office and keep on doing the same thing for years.
647496
Do you mean that you want to be self-employed as a consultant? Put together a resume and website that outline your unique skills, experiences and results. Then join local networking associations so that you have access to their people and job boards. You should also join the associations of your potential clients. Some people also find success in pitching themselves to employers who are seeking full-time employees in training and educational consulting. \n\nThe sites below have some resources on human performance consulting and becoming a consultant.
1079471
They can do either.  For example,  one may have his own business going and that is how he calculates his jobs.  Then you have the corporate architects that are salaried.
228298
If you get pd on a 1099 you pay your own federal tax and self employment tax. If I were you I would think of the deductions you would be able to take. If there is not a bunch than I would get paid on a w2. I have done may peoples taxes that have not owed a tax but have had to pay in the self employment tax ( social security 6.2% and medicare 1.45% tax. It can really hurt you
353278
The article "LLCs vs. C Corporations" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol97/llcs.htm shows the differences and similarities between the two legal structures.\n\nOther articles that can help you decide the best legal structure for your business can be found at: http://www.powerhomebiz.com/startup/legal.htm\n\nStarting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck. \n\nSome things you need to consider:\n- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?" \n- "What are my abilities?" \n- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?" \n- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?" \n\nYou may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:\n\n1. Provide a benefit.\n2. Determine the fit with your market.\n3. Right timing is everything\n4. Be ready to support your business\n5. Develop a blueprint for success\n6. Market, market, market\n\nI recommend that you read the following books:\n\n- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs \n- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money \n- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More \n- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur \n- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed \n\nYou may also want to read the articles:\n\nHow to Start a Successful Consulting Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol83/consulting.htm\nSeven Keys to Building a Profitable Consulting Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol5/consulting.htm\n\nAlso check out the following consulting specific books to help guide you as you start your consulting business\n\n- Getting Started in Consulting \n- The Consultant's Quick Start Guide: An Action Plan for Your First Year in Business \n- How to Make It Big As a Consultant \n- The Seven Cs of Consulting: Your Complete Blueprint for any Consultancy Assignment \n- Million Dollar Consulting, New and Updated Edition: The Professional's Guide to Growing a Practice
1051480
I've worked for both in industry. Either can be self centered and only care about moving higher up.\nEither can be fair minded, have good suggestions, think and institute ideas you present.\nThis is a "chicken and the egg" question.
815468
To be a consultant you need to be an experienced engineer in your field of choice.  It also helps if you are in fact an expert. Finally in the US you need to be a registered professional engineer in most states.\n\nHaving said that, consultants typically handle problems that their customers can't either due to lack of experience or manpower.
481025
It all depends on what you want to do.  If you are a very hard worker, very independent, good with people, and have an entrepreneurial spirit, then your own business might be a better fit for you.  If you don't mind working for "the man" and don't want all that responsibility for the business' success or failure, then the large company thing might be better.
827812
If you are self employed aka an independent contractor, you pay what are called self employment taxes that equal the employee and employer portions of Social security taxes for an employee.  You are supposed to make quarterly estimated payments for your federal taxes.  The link below contains links to IRS publications and forms for the self employed.
1001337
Do both - not only is it good for the grants and loans but it also helps you to clarify what you plan to do and the time frames.  I started my business in January with the help of a government loan and we had to do a proposal letter, a business plan, a projected cash flow and many other documents that have proved very helpful to me in operating my small business.  If you live in Canada, you can apply for the same grant - it's called the Self Employment Benefits plan, and is run by the Employment Insurance office.  They give you great training (two weeks in class) and tons of support, as well as close to $13,000 over 8 months that you do not have to repay.  You can also apply for loans up to $5,000 to get off the ground.\n\nGood luck!
464028
There are several different types of businesses (ie Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership) entities.  You can learn a bit about the differences at www.mycorporation.com.  You can even file all of the necesary documents thorugh this website.
1135695
A business usually hires a consulting firm to do odd jobs for them.  It could be a one day project that is basically crap work, or it could be a multi-million dollar project that lasts for years.\n\nSome firms just do one area like "computer consulting" or "financial services consulting".
103738
I'm in the same boat. I tell an employer that being self employed means that I have to spend too much time looking for clients and not enough time doing the work that I love to do.
834199
Get registered as self employed with the tax office. Go see a business startup specialist in a Bank.  One of the best banks out there from personal experience were Barclays they have a team of business specialists they can provide loads of info including Starting and running your own business guides on CD Rom and information fact sheets, there are other sources of information you can obtain through Business Link too. \n\nBanks usually lend on a matched funding basis to new businesses, ie 50/50 but only if you can provide a cashflow projection and business plan up front.  If you have already bought equipment to use for your business and can produce receipts this would be included in your 50%\n\nYou sound like a hardworker, working for yourself is not always easy and does demand your time and effort, from what you have said you have no objections to doing this.  The benefit obviously being that any money you make (less any deductions) is your own clear profit not someone elses.\n\nAnyhow, best of luck!
185083
I started my own businessabout six weeks ago.  It's a transcribing business and probably of no use to you whatsoever but the best thing you can do is to get in touch with the Inland Revenue's Help for Newly Self Employed people and they will send you out a starter pack.\n\nSpeaking from experience, the best ever thing I did was to start up my own business.  I still work full-time but work on my own business on an evenings and weekends.\n\nMaybe it would be an idea to gain employment first after you leave the forces to ensure guaranteed income prior to actually taking the step.\n\nBest of luck.
1084326
Self employemnt just means you work for yourself-- it can be cleaning homes, lawyers, consult, fix computers or sell tamales to friends. Get a business license from the city you operate in.  If have employees, then need to get workers compensagion insurance plus IRS tax ID number plus will need to pay employee taxes.  ALL  income is taxable when self employed- but get a good tax preparer so you get ALL deductions.
659655
You pay self-employment tax, calculated when you file your tax return, by completing Schedule SE.\n\nBTW, if you're getting a 1099, then it isn't your employer...