is insurance/bonded inportant for..

[mowisme123]

hi all- new here. I am doing a small amount of mowing to help my retirement. only 4-5 now. hope to do 10-16 total per week. do I need some kind of insurance? what is cheapest route. and what does bonded mean? do I need that? I am a 1-man show as of now. hope to give my pastors 13 year old a little work eventually. and lastley..do I just take a percent out and put away for paying taxes or how do you folks do it. oh..one more- can I pay 13 year old so much with out dealing with other expenses..and can I make so much without claiming? sorry so long, but I'm really just getting into it and want to be starting out right. thanks so much. Gene

[MES]

As far as insurance, in the lawsuit happy world, I would have it. Check with agents and tell them exactly what you intend to do. Do your shopping though.
Be careful hiring/paying a 13 year old. Labor laws, injuries and his knowledge should all be considered.
Check you local laws concerning taxes. In Ohio we have to pay sales tax, not to mention the other things the tax man wants.
Just some thoughts that you should look after.

[Ihateweeds]

"and can I make so much without claiming?"

No...Technically your suppose to claim any and all earned income and some unearned incomes like certain gifts and lottery etc.

"can I pay 13 year old so much with out dealing with other expenses."

No pretty sure 13 year olds have to be off the books, as per labor laws don't think you can legally work under 16, also there might be some labor law against how much someone can work at a certain age, it might be 25hrs tops.

"I just take a percent out and put away for paying taxes or how do you folks do it."

You should be trying to show a loss for at least the first two years, a more important question would be what can you now right off..Spend a little and speak with an accountant you will learn a ton.

[MASTERMOWER]

and can I make so much without claiming?

Well....I think you can make something like $200/year without having to file income tax....but you shouldn't strive to come under that for the entire year!

This might not hold true.....I dunno.....I'm going off tax knowledge I learned 5+ years ago.

[EMWEB]

13 year old ! ! ! On or off the books, he can not operate mowing machines . . . . if he has an accident, you are toast . . . first of all, you have to have workmens comp for all employees . . . second you can not get workmens comp coverage for a 13 year old operating mowing equip.

[pow]

If you have under three employees you do not need workers comp.

[mowisme123]

thanks for info- he'll only

some good points- thanks. He does mow Church with 60" G.D. at times, but..I do agree it is too young. Rational reasoning,experiance, mechanical awareness,and most inportant..saftey awarness- and other things are not there fully yet ( some arn't there even with us old folks!) but I was thinking more like having him trim with push mower, or use weed whacker, just to make spending money. thanks for info again- Will talk to buisness accountant. thanks Gene

[Scaper-S2k]

If you have under three employees you do not need workers comp.

Not in Ohio. All employees must be covered, even if it is just one.

Some worker comp laws vary by state.

[CLS Lawns]

Nope................................

[suzuki4life]

just about the 13yr old mowing, when i was 14 i bought my first commerical mower (bradly 32", still use it) that was alot of mower for me, i was 115lbs at 5'8", but yet i still didnt hurt myself, never came close even with the mower. Now im 16 running the 48" exmark ztr and any and all equipment you can think of. Ive never been hurt, never had any close calls. So just dont think because hes 13 hes not capable of running a machine. However if he were to hurt himself, you would be at fault. So i cant blame you for shying away.


-zach