Correct. Any drawbacks to using my SSN though? Will it be public on certain things?

None at all.

Most banks require a SSN, not all.

I wouldn’t worry about a LLC for asset protection until your net worth exceeds a million. Before that it cost you more than it is worth.

I think even after that. Securing insurance is easily less complicated and may well be less expensive than setting up and maintaining an LLC. Accountants love LLC's and there is a reason - added complexities make them more money.

I don’t know about Texas but in Louisiana you better make sure you are completely covered on liability and auto. The biggest liability you have is likely traveling down the road from yard to yard. Get in an accident when you are doing “commercial or business” activity and you will wish you were “over insured and set up as complicated LLCs”.

Again Louisiana is different but in Louisiana the only thing protected from a judgement is your house, one vehicle, and you wedding rings. Everything else can be taken. That scares the heck out of me and is why we have had an umbrella in addition to maximum coverage for 20 years.

If you are doing this to make hunting money think of other ways. Maybe bringing lunch instead of eating out, etc. to save money and put that in a jar somewhere. That’s my strategy. I save $150-$200 per month by not eating out for lunch everyday bringing drinks instead of buying at the convenience store, etc. Yes I eat with colleagues or clients occasionally and buy drinks when needed but just saving for 3 days a week will add up.

Plus you are wearing put lawn equipment you have to replace. I trust you are taking mower costs, maintenance costs, fuel costs, etc. into account when you figure up your profits as well,

Just my 2 cents.
Big Hutch

if there isn't anything to get, atorneys won't waste their time.

Feel free to give me a call if you're still needing guidance on this. I typically can spare a 15-20 minute phone call for TFF & THF members at no charge.

I have two LLC's and have had one of them for 17 years and the other for 12 years. The 12 year old one is pretty simple and just holds some rental properties. The other one is a fairly complex business with a half dozen employees. Our accountant charges us $1,500/yr for everything. Our personal return, the two LLCs, everything. I think it is a pretty reasonable amount but that is relative to the revenue of the LLCs I guess.

Yep. LLC is $300 for initial set up, plus $50 per year for franchise tax fee if revenue is under a million. CPA will put it on schedule C, probably cost an extra $200 if you don't do it yourself. They are very cheap and easy to set up and maintain.

Does he do your payroll as well?

An old attorney that let me hunt on his place because I always looked out for his grandson once told me, “Son, you can’t get blood put of a turnip. BUT you can get the turnip.”

Just call Zac and talk to him. Well worth the cost to have him set it up and it be right. Zac did mine and is great to work with. By the time you file it yourself it’s not that much more to have it done and know it’s done right.

OP has stated he doesn't need a LLC

He is just gonna do a DBA for now

Thanks fellas, I ended up just getting a DBA and EIN. General Liability Insurance is next and opening a business account. If I decide to grow the business down the road then I'll go the LLC route but highly doubt I'll go that far. I'm good with the little bit of clients I have right now. Keeps me busy throughout the week but can still enjoy my weekends as of right now.

I would still call zack and give him a talk. Doesn’t hurt nothing. But there are many more uses for an llc and many more tax advantages

Good Luck with your business and smart move leaving yourself free time

Thanks, I work with a couple of guys who mow yards after work as well but these guys are slammed with work. They have lots of clients that takes up all their free time. I do not want that for myself. If I can make an extra $1K - $2k per month and still have my weekends off then I'll be good.