So, you want to start your own online business' Before you start designing your own website or webpage, make sure that you know all about the do's and don't of starting an online business and that includes the technical, financial and legal matters of the business.
Righteous as this may sound, but any business that does not pay its taxes cannot be considered as a business.
Trying to start an online business is pretty much the same as starting any business in the world. Some people who are involved with online businesses usually use their ignorance as an excuse not to pay taxes.
For you to be able to understand this concept better, here is an example: A woman from Indiana regularly purchases exotic orchids through an online shop based on Switzerland.
If you have been selling your stuffs for quite a long time already, you may consider it as an income-generating activity, right' Having an online business really has a lot of perks and advantages such as being able to work right at home, not having to have your own boss, etc.
A few months later, the exotic orchid supplier of that woman has decided to open a store in Indiana. The woman still purchases online but she already has to pay for the sales tax of the orchid since there is already a store based in the place where she is staying.
Perhaps the first and most important thing you have to consider is the legality of your online business. Make sure that you are not breaking any rule or law so that you and your reputation won't be in jeopardy.In addition to that, you must be aware of the several laws that come along with online businesses such as tax rules.
If for example you don't have a nexus in another state, you can still sell and ship your merchandise to costumers residing in another state without actually charging Sales Tax. However, sales to the residents in the same state that you are living in will definitely require a collection of Sales Tax and remittance to the Sales Tax Department of your state.
"Do I need a tax ID number'", "Do I need to file specific paper works or forms'", "How do I begin to pay federal and state taxes'", etc.
When you pay a "sales tax" directly to the state, it is no longer called a "Sales tax" but rather a "use" tax. Perhaps the only difference between "sales" tax and "use" tax boils down as to which person - the buyer or the seller - pays the state. "Use" taxes are usually used by the state to make sure that they collect the right amount of revenue on every taxable item purchased within the state borders.
In a nutshell, trying to start and operate an online business requires ample time, effort, honesty and sincerity. It's a sad fact that a lot of people use the Internet for scamming others and earning money illegally.
In determining what's the right thing to do in handling taxes and your online business, it would be best to go beyond researching for legal answers alone. Consulting the help of lawyers and other legal professionals would probably benefit you more than you expect.
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