Do i need a business permit?

**tortland** · 07-08-2007 08:29 PM

I was wondering if i join an affiliate program and sell someone elses products do i need a business permit? NOTE: I woulnt have any invantory.....i would just have links to the sellers website!

Thanks,
Sean

**wully00** · 07-08-2007 08:38 PM

You never NEED a business license. It depends -- are you planning on making it a legal company (llc, inc) or are you just doing this completely on the side? Mine was like $35 total.

**Moshe** · 07-10-2007 08:29 AM

Hey! I've got an excellent way to acquire a business license. Go to the following website: http://www.businesslicenses.com

There you will find every available business license, tax registration, and permits etc. for the entire United States.

Good Luck!

**tortland** · 07-14-2007 05:42 AM

ok,
new qeustion say that i wanted to start an auction site similar to ebay.com what would i need then?

**wully00** · 07-14-2007 01:55 PM

Lots of money, or LOTS of programmers...

**Xanifur** · 07-14-2007 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by tortland

I was wondering if i join an affiliate program and sell someone elses products do i need a business permit? NOTE: I woulnt have any invantory.....i would just have links to the sellers website!

Thanks,
Sean

Answer: No, you don't.

Take note: You are still required by law to file taxes on the income. My belief is that any income made the way you are trying to do it, would be considered "Hobby Income" and must be filed appropriately.

**radreality** · 07-14-2007 08:12 PM

Whether you don't have a business license or you have a cheap business license (not an LLC or Corp), you will still file a Schedule C with your 1040 to the IRS each year. The problem you are going to run into is with your state taxes. Each state is different. For example the state I live in doesn't have income tax, but it has B&O tax which all business income is subject to. A lot of states have both income taxes and various other business taxes that you might be subject to.

You need to check with your state to see what they require. Some will let you get away with not having a license and some will require because without it you would be evading their tax structure.

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