What requirements to I need to sell my handmade items online?

Question by raven4976: What requirements to I need to sell my handmade items online?
I live in Massachusetts. I make handmade soaps and I would like to start selling them on sites like Etsy, ebay, Amazon and my own website. I know certain states do not require you to have a seller’s permit and Etsy does not either but your jurisdiction does. Does anyone know about the laws of Massachusetts and it’s terms for online business?

Best answer:

Answer by Yahzmin: not happy @ limits
You need to determine if you are going to have a hobby that maybe makes money – or a business:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=169490,00.html

If you are going to have a business, you start with your Department of Revenue for Businesses:
http://www.mass.gov/dor/businesses/

Also, their Sales Tax section, so you know about charging sales tax and paying it to your state:
http://www.mass.gov/dor/individuals/taxpayer-help-and-resources/tax-guides/salesuse-tax-guide.html

You also can check the Small Business Association in your state:
http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3162/resources

You might want to check your local regulations as well. It may seem overwhelming, at first, but just start slowly and work your way through it and it should be fine.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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