those that do Detailing for a business

[Cruzscarwash]

are you an LLC or a corporation or something else?

[LSNAutoDetailing]

Sole proprietor.

LLC doesn't make sense for me, annual fees, qrtly reports... State laws, and what is your total liability detailing per detail?

Get a Garage Keepers policy with Liability.

[oldglorydetailing]

I'm an LLC (in case I want to expand). I have a garage keepers policy and general liability.

[Matt@Revive]

Sole prop is good, but if something happens you can get taken too the cleaners

I formed an LLC to protect my personal assets.

Either way make sure you invest in proper business insurance

[GSKR]

S Corp

[LSNAutoDetailing]

At the end of the day it's going to depend on your situation and what your business advisor/cpa/lawyer advises you of.

If you own a shop with custy's coming and going, employees or contractors working for you, there will be liability etc...
If you are doing it on weekends for friends, family, word of mouth (via friends and some new customers) requirements will vary.
If your mobile, you have a van, equipment, theft considerations, liability as you'll be on property other than your own.

Most folks on this forum will give different answers because every situation is different.
The best answer is to evaluate how your business operates, consult with your business advisor/cpa/lawyer and they should be able to assess your total risk/liability vs. situation.

I agree with Matt, but "taken to the cleaners" is relative term. If you burn through paint on a 3-9 year old vehicle fender, you're on the hook for fixing that.
To me, "taken to the cleaners" is a loss of home, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of liability (i.e. what doctors face), etc... I don't see how that can happen while detailing a car, although my attorney did site a plausible case where, you dress the pedals with something slippery/oily, (which I will never do) and as they drive away in their car, they hit someone or something because their foot slips off the pedal. That doesn't happen, the pedals are cleaned with APC and no dressings.

[ShaneB]

LLC here. Just to separate my personal/business assets. The IRS treats single member LLCs with no other employees as a sole proprietor for taxes and income is reported on one's 1040 once per year. In Michigan it was $50 to start the LLC and I believe only $25 annually to maintain it. Those numbers can vary by state and I'm only required to file an annual report once per year ($25)

[Precision MAD]

i just renamed my LLC that I had when I was an independent contractor in the oil and gas field. I was just going to do a DBA but since I had the LLC, seemed like a no brainier. I got garage keeper insurance and my liability insurance from my contractor days.

Dan

[aztec1987]

Sole proprietor since I do it on the side job.

[JeffM]

Im an S corp as well, but dont let that fool you into thinking you cant be sued. You have to keep everything separate or you open yourself up for law suits.