Ree-Create · Ladson, SC
The owner told us: “I will have my own website and want to sell on Etsy. I make crafts from my home and want to do this on a larger scale and become licensed.”
Going licensed means the Retail License in South Carolina, which covers your website and craft fair sales alike. Your craft supplies bought for products you will sell can usually be bought tax-free with your Form ST-8A Resale Certificate. Etsy collects tax in some states, but that doesn't replace your own registration. Check home occupation rules for your city or county, and consider an LLC as you scale.
Short answer: SC Business: start with the structure (an LLC for most owners), then the Retail License, a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license.
The South Carolina version of the seller's permit is the 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 339999 (All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing)
Get your Retail License filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
Kim · Kim Craft Store · Washington, PA
Kim told us: “I sell crafts and clothing on eBay.”
Hi Kim, eBay sales of crafts and clothing are taxable goods sales, so your Pennsylvania Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License matters even for a home business. With it, suppliers will take the Form REV-1220 Pennsylvania Exemption Certificate when you buy materials or inventory for resale. A kitchen-table seller can start as a sole proprietor with an EIN, and Kim Craft Store would need a DBA.
Short answer: Wholesale License15301: in Pennsylvania, what most people call a wholesale license is the Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License. With it, and a Form REV-1220 Pennsylvania Exemption Certificate for your suppliers, an online crafts and clothing business can buy inventory for resale without paying sales tax up front.
The Pennsylvania version of the seller's permit is 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 453998 (All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers), 459999 under the 2022 update
Get your Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
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All Businesses Need a Ladson Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Berkeley 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
List of required licenses below include online as well as home or Amazon businesses.
1. Crafts The majority of starting businesses need a(n) , Ladson business tax registration.
2. Crafts Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Berkeley County DBA assumed business name certificate.
3. In SC you may also need a sales tax ID AKA seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. ( 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 Ladson, Incorporate in SC or form a(n) LLC.