I may or may not have linked to these folks but if I did it was a long time ago and I'm sure I've gained some new watchers by then.
http://www.vlaa.org/index.php
A lot of artists starting out feel overwhelmed by the legal, business, and tax issues involved in starting a small business and becoming a freelance artists. Fortunately, there are organizations around the country to help those who exist under a certain income bracket.
Here is a list of organizations by state.
Each offers different services and consultations, but if you're stuck for information, these people are here to help. Even if they don't know the answer to your question,