How to register an escort business in New Hampshire
Ah, New Hampshire. You've always been a bit of a rebel. You separated from Mother England six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed, and everyone in their right mind knows not to tread on you. You gave our country our first legal lottery, first free public library and first women's strike (the Dover Cotton Factory in 1828). We have a lot to thank you for, as you began and still are wonderfully, radically American.
New Hampshire is also an extremely welcoming state in which to register your small escort business, and in this article you'll find clear step-by-step advice on how to do just that. For more information on why it's vitally important to register your business, refer to our article Don't get busted for tax evasion: Why registering your escort business is the only option.
For some helpful advice on picking out a business name, visit Business.gov.
Step four: Register your business / business name
Sole Proprietorship:
In New Hampshire you are not required to register your sole proprietorship escort business as a separate business entity: because the business is you, it is not recognized as a separate business and you'll file your business information along with your own personal taxes.
But you will have to register your DBA/tradename with the state and pay a $50 fee. You can find the form and more information at the New Hampshire Corporate Division.
For more information on if taking on a DBA is a good choice for your business, refer to our article Do I want to be a sole proprietor?
Partnership:
In New Hampshire you are not required to register your general partnership business as a separate business entity. However, it is highly recommended that you draft a partnership agreement. This is not filed with the state but defines and protects your business should you run into legal trouble. And you will have to file an information return come tax time, so having your books in order is very important. More on that below.
But you will have to register your tradename with the state and pay a $50 fee. You can find the form and more information at the New Hampshire Corporate Division.
Corporation:
To register your escort corporation in New Hampshire you'll need to file your Articles of Incorporation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State. You can find instructions and download this form at the New Hampshire Secretary of State » Corporate Domestic Forms. You'll include information on the amount of shares for the corporation and the incorporating persons, and a $100 filing fee. Because of the intricate information required when starting a corporation, it is highly recommended that you seek advice from a business lawyer and accountant.
Registering your Articles of Incorporation will register your business name, so you will not have to file any additional paperwork for this.
LLC:
To register your escort LLC in New Hampshire, you'll need to file your Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Secretary of State. You can find instructions and download this form at the New Hampshire Corporate Division. The form includes basic information about the members and managers of the LLC, and requires a $100 filing fee.
Registering your Certificate of Formation will register your business name, so you will not have to file any additional paperwork.
Step six: Register for your federal and New Hampshire state taxes
There are a few basic types of taxes small businesses in New Hampshire may register for.
- Individual Income Tax: There is no state income tax in New Hampshire, but you will have to pay interest and dividends tax. For more information and booklets on taxes for your particular structure, go to the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration.
- Business Taxes: Business that make more than a $50,000 profit in one tax year must file and pay Business Profit Taxes. You can find more information and these forms at the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration.
- Unemployment Insurance: All businesses with employees pay unemployment insurance to safeguard the state's unemployed, at a federal and sometimes state level. You can get more information on federal unemployment taxes at IRS.gov. You can also get more information about unemployment within New Hampshire at the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security.
- Withholding Taxes: Employers must withhold taxes from employees for their personal federal income taxes. More information, online filing and downloadable forms can be found at IRS.gov—Employment Taxes.
- Workers Compensation: If you have employees, you'll have to have Workers' Compensation Insurance. More information can be found at the New Hampshire Department of Labor.
- Self-Employment Taxes: If you own and operate your business and are not paid as an employee, you'll need to file your own self-employment taxes for social security and Medicaid. This is particularly true for sole proprietorships, general partnerships and LLCs. You can find this Schedule C / 1040 form and get more information at IRS.gov. Get more information at IRS.gov » Self-Employment Tax.
For more information on registration and taxes in New Hampshire visit the New Hampshire Department of Revenue.
For more information on federal business taxes visit IRS.gov—Employment Taxes.
Step seven: Get necessary licenses and permits
There's no specific "escort license" or "general business" license in New Hampshire, and chances are your city won't require any other permits for your escort business, but it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the License Department at the New Hampshire Economic and Labor Market Information Bereau and to run your city through the IRS's Permit Me tool and get more information about specific filing from their site.
For more information about registering an escort business in New Hampshire, consider the following online destinations:
Find out how to register an escort business in each state of the USA.
Related resources:
Please note: Dating.com is not a legal service, nor are we tax advisors or accountants. We do offer you what we consider our best advice, but if at all in doubt, please consult a professional.
