[iDriveX]

So late last year I started up my own corporation. I didn't get a CPA because I figured, how the hell hard could all of this be. I've got Google and the internet is full of a wealth of information on what you need to do to start a corporation, so I figured, instead of paying $750 for someone else to file the docs for me, why not do it myself.

Well I don't think I got in over my head, but I do know that the $750, probably would have had me up and running with no headaches in about a months time, if that. Instead, it's June (about 8 months after I started this whole thing) and I'm still filing forms to get this thing all up and running.

But the IRS has been unusually helpful. I always figured the IRS were a bunch of people in pinstripe suits with guns in their jacket and a fist full of audit notices just chomping at the bit to have you arrested for tax evasion. I guessed they were cops that showed just too much enthusiasm to give out tickets, so they sent them to the IRS.

Instead, any time I screw up on a form, I get a nice letter back from the IRS explaining how that is a common mistake and how to fix it. I even get an envelope to send it back in and the new form along with it. They give me a due date (which is usually a month out from when they send the letter) and they have been more than cool.

Just a few months ago, I wrote them a letter asking them about quarterly tax filings. a couple of weeks went by and they sent me a letter saying that a case manager had not yet been assigned to my question, but they just wanted to acknowledge receipt of my letter and would be getting back to me. Within two weeks, they did get back to me and explained the entire question ad nuseum. Hell, I don't even get this good of service at most sit down restaurants!

[wdlove]

I wish you continued success with your venture. Hopefully the IRS will continue to be helpful and supportive.

[pooka]

That's actually really cool to hear. I recently started a new company with a buddy and we decided to let our attorneys handle the paperwork (divorce language/spousal sheeit and all that). We figured that it would be easier to spend the money on that and just handle a big chunk of the construction of our office to offset the expenses...

Boy did we **** up..

I now am a firm believer in "Do it right the first time, jackass."

If we ever do this again we're going to pay people with the experience to do everything and we'll work extra hours and bill out to our clients..

Good luck with everything! And keep the IRS busy answering questions so we can practice Creative Accounting this year.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by iDriveX

Well I don't think I got in over my head, but I do know that the $750, probably would have had me up and running with no headaches in about a months time, if that. Instead, it's June (about 8 months after I started this whole thing) and I'm still filing forms to get this thing all up and running.

In order to safe $ 750, you delayed your business for 7 months ?
Boy, what a stupid decision.

Good luck with your business, you'll need it

-t

[tooki]

Good to hear that some part of the government works! (I believe that our gov't is honestly trying to do well. It just has so much red tape that half the time it just gets stuck.)

What kind of business are you starting?

tooki

[alex_kac]

I also think our govt tries to do well, but when you have so many special interests (yes, the ACLU is a special interest and so is GreenPeace and MoveOn.org as well as Microsoft and we can go on and on and on) in the size of a country as we have, the govt feels like it can't do anything without documenting every tiny little thing and basically making it a horrible experience otherwise.