Question for small business owners

[Wade Wilson]

So, I'm filling out the paperwork for my business license and running into a problem here. It's asking if I will collect NJ sales tax and/or pay use tax, then asks for the exact date I expect to make my first sale.

Even the instructions don't make much sense.

See, I need the license to open an account with my distributor, then I have to place my first order two months in advance before I start selling. So... I can set up a random date that I'll be starting my business in the future but how am I supposed to know when my first sale will be?

 

[ThinkingAboutIt]

So, I'm filling out the paperwork for my business license and running into a problem here. It's asking if I will collect NJ sales tax and/or pay use tax, then asks for the exact date I expect to make my first sale.

Even the instructions don't make much sense.

See, I need the license to open an account with my distributor, then I have to place my first order two months in advance before I start selling. So... I can set up a random date that I'll be starting my business in the future but how am I supposed to know when my first sale will be?

What are you selling; and are you selling in state or out of state? If you are selling out of state, you don't charge or collect tax. If they are in state, you charge/collect sales tax - doesn't matter if you have a retail location or not.

Might want to visit here: Sales & use Tax Publications - NJ Taxation and look at 4,5,6 & 7

Not sure if you have a product and will be implementing a marketing campaign or not, so can't help more with the 'first sale date' other than to say it should be an approximation of when you think you will sell for the first time.

 

[ThinkingAboutIt]

Oh, one other thing...are you sure you need a business license? Depends on the type of business...can always call your local clerk's office to make sure. Here is another site for info: https://www6.state.nj.us/commerce/CEG_LCI/html/licguid.html

 

[Wade Wilson]

eCommerce woes...

So, I'm at the next stage of starting my online business (online comic book store; just books for the time being, no other merchandise but might expand into t-shirts/hoodies at a later date): deciding on which site to host the business. I know my best choice is to run my own site, but I'm not skilled in HTML and will consider that later down the road when I have a little extra money to pay someone to build the site.

I've done research on Amazon, Yahoo & Ebay but I'm wondering if anyone here has personal experience with an online store at any of these three sites and if what your experience was with it.

 

[jenocyde]

I'm not certain, but I think that NJ state law states that you must collect sales tax for shipments to a NJ location. The tax must include delivery charge, as well.

 

[Wade Wilson]

Yeah, I'm trying to get through now and change that.

Ironically enough, I just (like three minutes ago) got my business cert. in the mail.

yay I'm officially a business owner, woohoo.

 

[iwakar]

I am so excited for you Wade! That is awesome sauce. Regrettably, I have no experience hosting sites (at all, or) with any of the former, so I can't make any suggestions atm.

 

[Wade Wilson]

Thanks.

I think I'm going to stick with ebay for now. Cheap, simple and everyone knows it, lol.

Then after I'm actually turning a profit have my own site built and go from there.