oops!

[Jason741]

I am in trouble. I did a couple jobs this year not being licensed. I had a business license last year but cancled it due to not having enough work. Now I work at a plumbing company. I have an ad in the paper for lawn service and landscaping. I do weekend work. Some one called my house and the caller i.d. said "SOW WA ST DEPT" my fiance answered the phone and said I wasn't there. They called about 3 times in 30 mins. I am going to get licensed and everything it's just I am having a hard time getting someone to give me a bond. Other than that I have a quote for ins. and my papers are filled out for my generals license. But anyways my Dad put an ad in for Handyman work a while back and someone called and busted him for not being licensed. He truthfully didn't know that you have to be licensed to do side work. So, I am wondering what to say when they call me back and say,"Hello, do you do landscaping?" If I say no then they'll ask why about the ad. What do I do?
Thank you for any replies.
I will be getting Bonded next week if everything goes right. I have the money saved for everything needed. Thanx.

[Ericson]

Best to do the right thing.

Well son ILL tell you ,, it's hard to get started , atliest the right way. If I'm in the country doing a job I never see the man come up on the job, but if im in the city limit's most of the time I see somebody from down town atliest once.
In Florida only some specific job's require that you be bonded, I don't now about your state.
How ever, it is best that you atliest have a business license, and some ins.
I am having to chase down some info on some landscape paperwork I may need. I keep talking to landscape people in the state and they keep telling me I don't need any extra document's but ILL keep crossing my T's and dotting my I's. I had to hire a contract climber the other day because I wasn't certified yet to clime the tree in city limit's, the man pulled up on the job just as I was hooking up to my swing line, and he asked for my certi. ,and I was honest with him and I told him that I didn't have one yet and he said no way are you getting in that tree with out one.
It's just all around safe practice that you try to be as honest and as documented as possible, it will save a bunch of headaches in the long run.

Remember it's only my view: Ericson Sr.

[Stephen M.]

Well Jason, it appears somebody in your area is serious about protecting their business interests. My advice is don't lie and tell the truth; take your lumps because YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER having been licensed before.

Anytime you do a service for money, even on trade or barter, you are suppose to collect sales tax and turn it in, and pay business taxes. To do otherwise constitites TAX FRAUD!!

See my posts on this subject under "Old Rusty Pickup, WalMart Push Mower= Lawn Service?" thread. If I lived in your area, I would have turned you in in a heart beat!!!