A home-based business is any business where the primary office is located in the owner's home.

Software trainers, truckers, and interior decorators are just three examples of people who may run small home-based side businesses but have to travel to provide their services.

The Advantages of Home Businesses

There are a number of aspects to running a home business that draws people to it, particularly when it comes to saving money on expenses and taxes.

No Commuting

The most obvious home business advantage is the lack of any commute, which saves a tremendous amount of time and eliminates the need to spend money on bus fare or car expenses. For many home-based business owners, their commute consists of just walking down a flight of stairs, unless you have to do a lot of traveling anyway to visit customers.

Lower Overhead

All home businesses share the advantage of not having the expense of buying or renting business premises elsewhere, which cuts down on overhead considerably. Because there is no separate office to rent or maintain, they may also save money on expenses such as utilities, and—depending upon local regulations—the cost of business licenses and taxes.

Family Time

If you have children, operating a home business can give you more flexibility with child care and more time to spend with your family. Once they're old enough, you might even employ your children in your business. It's perfectly legal as long as you follow the rules.