[olug] Part-time Self Employment (Side Jobs)

[Eric Penne]

Whatever you want to call it, I've become more fond of "side jobs" away
from whatever 40 hour job I may be at.  Some of the list members are Self
Employed and many more of you do "side jobs".  I have lots of questions
about this but not all of them are formed in my head yet and I need some
help organizing them and asking them legibly.  Most of them are about
taxes since that season just ended.

I want to do more side jobs but I keep worrying about the tax
responsibilities and other little details that a normal 40 hour job takes
care of in HR/Acct./somewhere else.

What do I need to make sure I do to keep my nose clean? As an independent,
do I need to fill out tax paperwork with my client?  If so, at what dollar
amount?  Do I have to claim part of my house as a home office or is it
just more of a pain in the butt?  What paperwork to I need to help me file
my taxes?  Can I open a "business" account separate from my personal
account?  Are there restrictions on the name of my company like Eric Penne
Company vs Eric Penne Consulting and Construction of Large Projects?  Are
there any good books available that people on this list have read?

I've done ethernet wiring, plumbing, report writing, and basic
construction as my "side jobs",  how can those be used on a resume to show
your skills and work ethic, rather than just look like you didn't like
your main job?

So many questions, so little room on the ToDo list. :)

Thanks
Eric