Starting shop?

29th June 2012 at 17:05

I want to sell polymer clay charms to help pay for college, but...

I've seen some shops on blogging sites like tumblr, etc. or even facebook...but how legal are they? Would I need a business license? I'm in the United States.

Or will it be safer to just use etsy?

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4 replies since 29th June 2012 • Last reply 29th June 2012

Princess Pam-attitude

Reply #1: 29th June 2012 at 18:06

If you plan on making more than $300 through PayPal in a year, then yes. Because they have to report that in their taxes. Which means youd have to report it in your. But outside of that if your making more than $500 in a year, techincally your supposed to get a license. If you open a shop Olin an online market place, like etsy or craftcafe, I've never heard of them asking for your license # before you can set up shop. It's pretty easy to get a business license, you just go down to your local IRS office and they can help you. Or you can try and figure it out online. I think it cost you like $50 but idk how often you have to renew it.
I make and sell jewelry online, but mostly as a hobby, I've never made now than $300 in a year, so I don't bother with a license, lol.

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Ammelanoleuca

Reply #2: 30th June 2012 at 01:01

Thanks! That helps a lot!

I over worry about how legal things are...especially over the internet where deleted things aren't truly ever DELETED...

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Reply #3: 1st July 2012 at 19:07

It will also depend on the state you live in. For me in PA, the tax places like H&R block say that if you make under a certain amount (around $2,000 the last time I went to file) that it isn't worth submitting for taxes because it's such a low amount.

Some individual counties also have different requirements for businesses, so I would recommend contacting a local business/finance adviser.

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