Lauren · Beauyy Luce · Greensboro, NC
Lauren shared: “I am a fashion designer and have an online boutique. I will sell handmade and wholesale clothing and apparel accessories on an online store or website to customers.”
Hi Lauren, an online boutique in North Carolina needs the Certificate of Registration for sales and use tax, which covers both your own designs and the wholesale pieces. Wholesale suppliers will ask for Form E-595E, the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption, with your registration number before selling tax-free. Online sales to other states may owe tax there once you pass their thresholds. With two employees, add payroll registration.
Short answer: In Greensboro, North Carolina, businesses are required to obtain licensing before they start operating. For an online fashion boutique, that means the Certificate of Registration (sales and use tax), a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, plus a structure and name registration.
North Carolina calls its seller's permit the Certificate of Registration (sales and use tax). Suppliers selling to you tax-free will ask for a Form E-595E Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Exemption. A wholesale merchant must register; wholesale-only businesses with no taxable sales or purchases can choose a wholesale-only option and skip filing returns. North Carolina lets registered wholesale-only merchants opt out of filing sales and use tax returns.
Industry code: NAICS 448140 (Family Clothing Stores), 458110 under the 2022 update
Get your Certificate of Registration (sales and use tax) filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
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All Businesses Need a Greensboro Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Guilford 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 NC 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 NC Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in NC or form a(n) NC 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. Boutique  Nearly all businesses need a(n) , Greensboro business tax id registration (business license).
 2. Boutique 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) Guilford County  DBA ( doing business as ) fictitious business name. Â
  3. In NC you may also need a sales tax ID AKA seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable.  ( A.K.A NCseller'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 NC Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) NC  State Employer Tax Number. Â
  5.  Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Greensboro, Incorporate in NC  or form a(n) LLC.Â