Hi Folks ~ I have deactivated items in my Etsy shop, while I do more research on permits, taxes etc. As of yet, I do not have a business license because I wanted to see if this little adventure would fly or not. As I’ve been reading, you need a license, etc. to sell anything on Etsy, so, I’m taking a break. It doesn’t mean I won’t still be creating, just that I won’t be selling on Etsy until further notice.
Thank you to those who have bought.
I ask that you keep me in your prayers as to dealing with finances. I std. my little shop to help supplement our income when the economy tanked. Now that I’m a widow and lost my job last year, (which I’d had for 17 years, and lost because the business was sold), what I have made, or would make on Etsy was to supplement my small ss. check. If this little shop is meant to be, it will be, if not, then God will provide some other way to take care of me.
I don’t want to be stressed over this issue, so that’s why I’m deactivating items. Maybe it’s an easy thing, getting licenses, etc., but I wouldn’t bet on it. DH and I were in retail for years and it can be a pain in the you-know-what. If anyone has any help or info, as to selling from your home on Etsy, please let me know. I am timid and don’t have my ‘front man’ to ask questions, etc. of beaureaucrats.
For now I’ll do research, putter in my gardens and try to ‘relax’.
Thanks again for all of your support.
FlowerLady
19 comments:
http://www.stateofflorida.com/corporations.aspx
Helpful article at this site. Your business should only need a sole proprietorship and if Florida is anything like when I filed in California wait for papers to contact you about filing your DBA and choose from the least expensive options for filing your fictitious business name. Best of luck to you as you move forward in your venture!!
I had no idea you needed a business license to sell on etsy! Like you, my mom is a widow and has to do things to make money to supplement her SS. She still works PT in an office (the company she's worked at for many years...they call her in on an as-needed basis); is a Power Seller on eBay (she travels all over her area to scour resale and thrift shops to buy high-end purses such as Michael Kors, Coach, Kate Spade, etc - then resells them for a profit - she also sells some antiques, quilts, and wool blankets); and is now buying antique furniture and chalk painting it and selling it. She's almost 76 and works so hard. Her townhouse is paid for, but she still has property taxes (which are sky high here in IL), insurance and association fees. SS just isn't enough for anyone to get by these days. I feel for you (and my mom). God bless.
Rainey, I didn't know you needed a license to sell on Etsy, either. I'm so hoping you'll find a way (or one of your readers will point you in the right direction.)
I loved reading about your accomplishments in the garden with fixing the rake handle and doing the other work about your home. I always wonder how we will cope with this place should either of us find ourselves alone. The thought is overwhelming. You've taught me so much about courage, Rainey. Sending you a hug.
Rainey, we had a business license to sell FDCs back in the 80s. All we did was register our business under an assumed name at the county clerk's office. It only cost a few dollars back then. Our son started a business recently under LLC. He had to fill out a few pages of paperwork and it cost a bit more. It's really not as scary as it sounds.
Good luck!
Jane
I have 2 shops on Etsy and you NOT NEED a license. Someone is yanking your chain. If you sell within your own state you will need to pay state sales tax and for that you can get a DBA if you choose or just use your name to collect sales tax. Then remember to file quarterly and pay if you anything. You have to file even if you don't owe anything.
Praying for direction for you as you navigate the financial waters. I am sure that there are so many things to think about...probably many that you had not thought about before.
About selling your house...I have never heard of selling your house on Etsy, but just recently read about selling a house on Craigslist. (Here's the article: http://reluctantentertainer.com/we-sold-our-home-on-craigslist/)
Praying for His guidance!!
Hi Lorraine, getting a business license is very easy - just go on-line and Google your state's business license information and you should find an easy application process. It is very inexpensive and you just have to pay quarterly taxes if you sell over a certain amount, according to each state. You will get a packet of info once you apply and that will tell you how to calculate your tax. Just keep good records and you will be fine. (I used to have an antique shop) I know it is scary....be brave. Hugs xo Karen
As you say God will provide. It will all work out for the good. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi Lorraine
Isn't it annoying that we have these restrictions on what we sell.
Last year we had a review on our income with the DSS as we are on a low income. They noticed that I had sold some items on Ebay and for a moment I was in panic imagining myself being carted off to the cells, lol
In fact it turned out okay and we were safe but it could easily have not.
What we sell is such small fry to some who are cheating the governments left right and centre and this pettyness of a few pounds interferes with our creativity.
It's fine making for your own entertainment but selling the odd thing brings us a feeling of worth and its good to know that others appreciate our work.
I hope you can work something out and woud like to know how you get on.
In the meantime, lots of hugs from uk and keep beading etc, I for one love to see your makes.
Briony
x
Thinking of you and hope things improve soon. A comment from Australia we have buy, sell swap groups people use these to sell all sorts of products.
Hi Rainey
don't give this up. You are one of the most resilient people I have met, even if it is on the net.
People are selling from their blogs...from their Facebook Page and probably places I don't know anything about. You have some friends here that sound like they could give you more info and guidance and I bet they would love to.
Go for it!!
Much Love
Carol
Very interesting! I will be interested to read more on which it is...if you really need a license or not. Very good to know to do things correctly. You are smart to be careful with doing anything over the internet as you certainly can easily be traced if you sell and don't claim the income on your taxes and if you don't pay sales tax. Andrea
I'll be interested in knowing how this turns out. I didn't think you needed a license to sell on Etsy. I know you need to file taxes quarterly and it has been suggested to me to establish an LLC (I am also looking into starting san Etsy shop but I am in the learning process with how it all works. Hope things work out for you
I had no idea you needed a license to sell on Etsy! I know a lot of people who sell stuff on there, I can't say if they have a license or not. Something I hadn't thought of before! I know I've contemplated selling stuff on Easy, so this was good information to get. I hope you are able to get a license and get everything worked out. I'll be thinking about you FlowerLady :-)
oh, I wanted to start a business on Etsy, didn't know that we need a license to sell anything on Etsy. but I just found your blog, I hope at least we still can keep in touch via blog. Hoping to see more blog post from you :)
xoxo, kim
I recall when all the vendors at our little local farmers' market were told that we needed to register with the North Carolina Dept. of Revenue, and we had to pay sales tax on our craft sales. It was a bit of a pain, but in the end it's not too much trouble. They are more than happy to send me a booklet each year with all the little forms I need to fill out, to figure out the taxes I owe them. Of course, I pass the cost of the taxes onto the customers, as everyone does. You only send it in quarterly. I didn't have to get a license, as in take some course or be approved somehow. I hope you figure it out! All the states want all the tax money they can get from anybody selling anything, that's for sure!
I haven't opened an etsy or even looked into it for the reasons you stated Lorraine. I just don't have the energy for things like that.I have to keep my life simple and even though the money would be nice I don't think it would be the worth the effort for me. I hope that you find way to get yours going sweetie.
I'll be praying for you!
I'm sure you are enjoying your beautiful garden! Take care of yourself sweet friend ♡
Hoping this works out for you Lorraine and that you can get things up and running again. Your work is so beautiful it would be a shame not for you to be able to sell. I'm sure you can get some info/advice to be able to start up again. xx
I didn’t know you needed a license to sell things on Etsy. It would make things so much easier for artists if the process was simpler and no paperwork was needed. Anyway, I hope you will be able to get all the necessary documents in order to have an Etsy shop. Your creations are unique and beautiful, it would be a pity if the world was deprived of them. All the best!
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