How many of you selling are a registered business?

[nixer]

i pretty much do the llc and the fly under the radar

[Dave Green]

I would suggest you talk with an accountant. It's not expensive and each situation is unique. Since it's tax time maybe you can discuss it quickly when you get your taxes done. Starting a business is not that big of a deal especially if a professional assists you. There are probably positives and negatives depending on your situation.

[broadude]

I am registered and LLC (also have one of my pics copyrighted). For me, it's more reassuring doing business with someone that has shown that they are serious enough about what they do that they went the extra steps.

I did it for my customers (promote reassurance), so that there would be an avenue for them to take if ever I did not live up to my customer service ideas (enough plugging for myself).

[GenePirate]

I am registered and LLC (also have one of my pics copyrighted). For me, it's more reassuring doing business with someone that has shown that they are serious enough about what they do that they went the extra steps.

Very true.

We're a registered LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) with an EIN and business license, and we have an accountant do our taxes. She knows more about keeping Uncle Sam happy than we do--and about ferreting out business expenses that we didn't think to include. Aside from reassuring the customers, being a legal entity also keeps you in good graces with the bigger breeders.

[kellysballs]

We are actually registered as a DBA with a fictitious name "Kelly's Balls", and EIN, class 3 reptile sales permit and Occupational License. The technical owner is my boyfriend Art. We registered it as a business even though we knew we would not make a profit for a couple of years on the advice of our accountant. A fledgling business can often times become a nice reducer of taxable income. One reason I am glad we did it is it enabled us to become fed ex certified.