Multi-faceted Sole Proprietorship

Dear June,

Thanks for the great site! I am a teacher/tutor/editor/writer.

This year, I have taught part-time at a university and worked as a temp. I want to set up a tutoring business. I was advised that I could cluster all my writing-tutoring-etc. earnings together by starting a "sole proprietorship" in my own name. 1. Is this true? 2. If so, wouldn't it be better to register it officially? (one of your pages starts by saying you needn't, and then goes on to say there are many situations where you do).

I like the "one name" idea so I could put the income streams together, though I prefer a trade name for privacy reasons.

However, given my situation, what would you suggest is the best way to go forward.

Thanks for your help!
Anna from California


Hello Anna,

Glad you like my site. Thanks for letting me know.

Yes, all elements of your business are related and so you may be one sole proprietorship. [Of course, this does not include any income as an employee.]

I don't know what you mean "register officially." Other legal matters you must take care of depend on on local law and state sales tax. However, those requirements have no bearing on your being a sole proprietorship.

A trade name -- DBA, doing Business As -- does not mean that you cannot be a sole proprietorship. See the "business name" category on the left.

All indications are that sole proprietorship is all you need. If you haven't already, be sure to read , I am a Business on my website.