Are there any easy e-commerce options out there?

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Are there any e-commerce platforms that take care of all taxes and accounting for you so that you don't have to declare your earnings?

I love making crafts but I am admin phobic and there's no way I could cope financially with the flat-rate annual business tax that businesses have to pay in this country. I'd have to start an actual business and pay that tax just so that my occasional sales could be 'legal', with all the income tax paid on the earnings.

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Comments ( 4 )
  • olderdude-xx
    2 years ago

    Which country are you talking about: In the USA there is no Federal fees or taxes just for having a business.

    Your State might require one; but its not common.

    Within the USA most small sole proprietorship businesses file profit/loss via Schedule C as part of their Federal Taxes. If you are making a profit you can expect to pay Income and SS taxes.

    Your State may require you to get a business permit to collect State Sales Taxes. In Wisconsin that cost is very modest.

    Within the USA certain MLM's and other internet host sites may collect the sales tax for you; however, you still have income/SS taxes.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      2 years ago

      I'm in France. Small and medium-sized businesses get taxed to death here.

      They tried to introduce a 'micro-business' scheme but while it makes it easier to pay taxes, you still have to become a business to make and sell your own stuff and so you still have to pay an annual flat tax just to exist, even if you don't make any money. The lowest business tax threshold taxes you so heavily that after the second year (because the first year is treated as a 'grace period') it's inhibitively expensive to produce and sell your stuff on any level, except as an 8-til-6 'day job'.

      As job security is getting harder and harder to come by, you'd think they'd make side hustles a feasible option, but they don't.

      I'm mostly worried about the admin, which is still too complicated for me. I can't afford to pay someone to take care of it so if I could get a company in some other country with a less punishing tax system to sell my stuff maybe in exchange for a small cut, then they would receive the money at the point of transaction, pay the taxes in that country, then feed the income back to me as an international bank transfer. Then I'd just declare it at the end of the year as 'other income' on my income tax form and it'd be easy...

      Except it would probably also be very illegal. All that just to make and sell the occasional hand-sewn craft project...

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      • olderdude-xx
        2 years ago

        Thanks for the information. My wife is from Ukraine and they also make starting a company difficult from a cost and paperwork standpoint (In general in most cases you better be able to afford an accounting firm to do it until you get large enough to bring it in house).

        Exporting products is also likely considered a business activity.

        You face the additional hurdle of ensuring that you get paid. There are international import/bank operations that minimize those issues, and they take their cut. Typical arrangement unless international trade reputation is high is for the ordering company to put the value of the shipment in escrow. You ship the product (via acceptable shipping company); and when the vendor receives the product in good condition the escrow money is released to you.

        I'm not sure there is anything set up to ensure you get paid to sell arts and crafts across borders on a contingency basis as you describe.

        If you are serious about your business idea... Have you considered moving to another country. The USA is not perfect; but, starting a business is a lot easier. You do need to be at least a resident (green card holder) to do that unless you are wealthy enough to be able to get the Visa that allows business startups in the USA based on your willingness to invest $$$$.

        I wish you well with this,

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          2 years ago

          Thanks, dude. Of course Ukraine isn't France and tax laws will be different.

          The US would never be interested in small fry like me! I also have specific health needs and in the US they'd cost an arm and a leg lol. I appreciate the welcome though :)

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