Do I have to register as a business to create a magazine?!

Do I have to register as a business to create a magazine?

I currently run a free online music magazine at www.themusicmagazine.co.uk.

We're looking to make the move into print, and will be selling advertising space in order to keep the magazine free.

I was wondering; would I have to register as a business in order to do this? Because we'll be receiving money from companies, and it could be quite a lot, I'm unsure whether or not I'd need to be VAT registered and effectively "start-up" a business.

I'd love to know if anyone has tried anything similar or knows anywhere I can get some helpful advice.

Thanks

The minute you take this out of the profit free sector into the profit making sector you open yourself up for tax and contract considerations. For your own sake and to limit your liability you should incorporate your idea and set it up as a business, perhaps an s corporation. It prevents you from losing all of your personal assets.