Aged 13; Starting Online Business!

tropic_john · 10-18-2009, 04:57 PM

O.K,
So I've been thinking about making an Online Business, Now I'm finally hoping to take the plunge! [Start An Online Business!]
The business is basically an auction site, very similar to eBay, but it will only have listings on it that are to do with the particular hobby it will be based on [Fishkeeping to be exact]

I've made a logo, I have business cards, bought a few domain names [all will direct to my business' site] and I have compliment slips and header & footer templates etc....

Now I've got a few questions to ask;

1) How can I go about registering my business with the appropriate people [Tax man, govt etc...]

2) Does anybody know any good web hosts that can design an auction site?

3) Am I old enough to sign the contracts etc... or will I need an adult co-signer?

Thanks,

John.

p.s Sorry for rambling on

2) Can I direct the money coming in from my site directly to my PayPal account, or my Dad's bank account if needed, then redirect the money to my PayPal account.

dogvi · 10-18-2009, 05:22 PM

Hello John!
About building your website. Unless you know advanced website programing the best option would be to find someone who knows the advanced web coding needed for your website. Maybe you could use people in the Philippians to do the website at a fraction of the cost; then just pay them with paypal. Although that would might be too technical for someone starting out. I have never heard of any web host service that build auction websites.
As for taxes; be a good boy and pay your taxes haha but seriously don't stress who you need to pay taxes to yet. You need to first be making money in order to pay the taxes on it. If its really bothering you, i would talk with an attorney

I have used paypal when i was under 18. I actually used years before then.
Hope this helps ya!

John

peteVA · 10-18-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogvi

Hello John!
About building your website. Unless you know advanced website programing the best option would be to find someone who knows the advanced web coding needed for your website. Maybe you could use people in the Philippians to do the website at a fraction of the cost; then just pay them with paypal. Although that would might be too technical for someone starting out. I have never heard of any web host service that build auction websites.
As for taxes; be a good boy and pay your taxes haha but seriously don't stress who you need to pay taxes to yet. You need to first be making money in order to pay the taxes on it. If its really bothering you, i would talk with an attorney

I have used paypal when i was under 18. I actually used years before then.
Hope this helps ya!

John

What kind of crappy advice is that. Depending on where you live you MAY have to report and remit sales taxes, whether you make a penny in profit.

You can lose your shirt, but if you sold anything that is taxable in your state, you still should collect and send to the state the sales taxes related to your sales.

I cannot give you specific, because each state varies, but they do not care if you make a profit, or not. If it's subject to sales tax, you may collect and pay.

You are also too young to be liable for anything, so you may very well be putting your father at risk.

I'm not trying to talk you out of anything, I was earning my own money at 9 years old. But I was working for someone, not handling other people's money and you can bring problems to your family should something go wrong.

tropic_john · 10-19-2009, 04:20 AM

Yeah, Thanks for the advice guys!
I've already spoke to my Dad about possible risks, but since he has run many business' [limo hire, renting etc...] he said he will know what to do. He also said that the auction site I'm thinking about setting up would be a great sucess. [and he isn't someone who says my idea is good just to make me feel good]

Thanks,

John.

fyi. I'm based in the U.K

feint · 10-19-2009, 07:39 AM

Just do a search for an auction script - what niche are you looking to go into? Developing your own auction site would cost thousands of dollars.

LSnyder · 10-19-2009, 09:29 AM

You might want to check around for what states require an auctioneers license. Several months ago I believe the state of Pennsylvania went after the owner of Ebay for not having an Auctioneers license. Because the company is so large eventually it was dropped. Our office did some research on what state require you to have an auctioneers license even though you are an online business and there is no physical location. So far, I believe it was pennsylvania and kentucky.
Just some food for thought.

Good luck to you.

Lisa

artistport · 10-19-2009, 10:54 AM

This is a wonderful time to start your online business....I started my company when I was 13 as well and now Im 18. Here in Alabama you can register company names/type at the court house and you dont have to be 18...my company name was licensed when I was age 14. So ask your parents about it and maybe they can take you to the courthouse and help you with that. For the auction site....Im sure this type of work may be expensive but Im sure theres someone out there.

LSnyder · 10-19-2009, 11:20 AM

Our office can assist you with the start-up of your business. Should you decide to move forward give me a call at the number listed in my signature and we will schedule a time to conference call with you, a parent and one of our attorneys. The initial consultation is free so please take us up on it if only to get information.