Laquawn · Sweet Sales · Summerville, SC
Laquawn wrote: “I am an at-home mom and will be buying products wholesale and selling on eBay to customers in all 50 states and internationally, from my home.”
Hi Laquawn, selling on eBay from home still counts as retail, so South Carolina's Retail License is the one to get, and it is what wholesale suppliers want to see along with the Form ST-8A Resale Certificate before they sell to you tax-free. Shipping to other states can create sales tax duties once you pass their sales thresholds, so track where your orders go. A kitchen table is a perfectly respectable head office.
Short answer: License To Sell Products Online In SC: start with the structure (an LLC for most owners), then the Retail License, a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license.
In South Carolina, the seller's permit goes by the name Retail License. Suppliers selling to you tax-free will ask for a Form ST-8A Resale Certificate. A retail license is required for retail sellers; a business making only wholesale sales may not need one. South Carolina also accepts the multistate uniform certificate in place of its ST-8A form if it contains the same information.
Industry code: NAICS 453998 (All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores)), 459999 under the 2022 update
Get your Retail License filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
Clothing Store · Pittsburgh, PA
The owner asked: “Clothing store. I will sell online until I get enough to get a storefront.”
Starting online and moving into a storefront later is a smart way to grow. Register for the Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License now, since online sales to Pennsylvania buyers are taxable. Clothing suppliers will want the Form REV-1220 Pennsylvania Exemption Certificate plus your permit number. When you get the storefront, you will also need the city's business license.
Short answer: In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, businesses are required to obtain licensing before they start operating. For an online clothing store, that means the Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License, a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, plus a structure and name registration.
Pennsylvania calls its seller's permit the Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License. Suppliers selling to you tax-free will ask for a Form REV-1220 Pennsylvania Exemption Certificate. Not a sales tax license. A business selling only to resellers applies for a wholesaler certificate instead; it cannot hold both. Pennsylvania issues a separate wholesaler certificate to businesses that sell only for resale; any retail selling requires the sales tax license instead.
Industry code: NAICS 448150 (Clothing Accessories Stores), 458110 under the 2022 update
Get your Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
BACK TO TOP
All Businesses Need a Summerville Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Dorchester County Trade Business Name required if using a trade name).
Retailers / Wholesalers, Need a Reseller Tax ID, & a Business License.
Employers Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN), a SC State Tax Id ( State EIN), & a Business License.
Corporations, & LLC Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN)& a Business License.
Partnerships Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN) & a Trade Business Name, but also need a Business License.
Sole Proprietors May Use a Federal Tax Id Number as a SC Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in SC or form a(n) SC LLC & You Will Not Need To File A DBA
The licenses below are required for all businesses including internet as well as home and businesses like Etsy etc.
1. Sales Nearly all businesses need a(n) , Summerville business tax id registration (business license).
2. Sales All Businesses that use a business name to trade that is other than the surname and first name of a sole proprietor or a fictitious business name other than the LLC or Corporation legal name need a(n) Dorchester County DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name.
3. In SC you may also need a tax id called a resale tax ID or seller's license if you are selling touchable items. ( A.K.A SCseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
4. You will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a SC Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) SC State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Summerville, Incorporate in SC or form a(n) LLC.