1. Understanding Federal Taxes
Federal taxes are essentially the taxes we pay to our national government, which go towards funding everything from infrastructure and healthcare to defense. As a business owner, you'll be dealing with income tax on your profits.
Your net profit is your total revenue (from selling your handmade products) minus your business expenses. This can include the cost of materials, shipping fees, advertising, even a portion of your home's utility bills if you work from there.
If you're operating as a sole proprietor, which is often the case for many micro handmade business owners, you'll need to file a Schedule C form with your Form 1040 during tax season to report your profits and losses.
Here's a quick pro tip: Keep track of your income and every single expense meticulously. A well-maintained book can make the world of difference when you're trying to calculate your taxes.
Federal Taxes for LLCs
For those of you who have taken the step to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for your handmade business, the taxation situation looks a bit different.
The default federal tax status for an LLC depends on the number of members it has. If you're the only member, the IRS will automatically classify your LLC as a "disregarded entity," meaning it treats your LLC as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes. In this case, you'll report your business income and expenses on Schedule C, as described earlier.
However, if your LLC has more than one member, the IRS treats it as a partnership for tax purposes. Profits and losses are passed through to the members, who report this information on their personal tax returns. The LLC itself does not pay federal income taxes, but it must file Form 1065, an annual information return.
One of the great things about LLCs is the flexibility they offer. If you find it advantageous, you can choose to have your LLC taxed as a corporation. This requires filing separate corporate tax returns, and potentially dealing with "double taxation" – where profits are taxed once at the corporate level and again when distributed as dividends to members. This might sound less than ideal, but in some cases, it can work out better, particularly if you plan to reinvest a substantial amount of profits back into the business.
Each tax option has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your specific circumstances such as your income level, the nature of your business, and your future plans. It's always a good idea to consult with a tax professional who can provide guidance based on your unique situation.
As a final tip, don't forget about self-employment taxes. Whether your LLC is treated as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, as long as you're working in the business, you'll need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your share of the profits. These taxes can add up, so make sure to factor them into your planning!
2. Navigating Sales Tax
Sales tax is a bit more of a challenging arena because it isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Instead, it's dictated by individual state laws, which means the amount can vary quite a bit. Generally, sales tax applies to the sale of tangible personal property - in your case, your handmade goods.
Here's how it works: When you sell a product, you need to charge your customer sales tax. This is easy if you're selling in person within your own state, but it can get a bit complex when you're selling online to customers in different states. This is because you have to charge the sales tax rate of your customer's state.
If you're selling through platforms like Etsy or eBay, they automatically calculate, collect, and remit sales tax on your behalf for most states. But, if you're selling directly through your website or at craft fairs, you'll need to get a handle on this yourself.
Remember to register for a sales tax permit in your state. After that, it's a four-step process: calculate, collect, report, and remit. You calculate how much sales tax you should charge, collect it from your customers at the point of sale, report on your sales and the sales tax you've collected usually quarterly, and finally, remit the sales tax to your state.
3. Making Life Easier
Navigating taxes as a handmade business owner can seem daunting, but there are tools and professionals out there to help. Accounting software like QuickBooks can be a great way to keep track of your income and expenses. They also have a sales tax feature to help you calculate and manage sales tax.
Hiring a tax professional or a bookkeeper can also be a big help, especially if your business is growing or if your situation is complex. Yes, it's an added expense, but think of it as an investment that could save you time, effort, and potential financial missteps in the long run.
Running a handmade business is a labor of love and mastering your taxes is just part of that journey. So remember, fellow creators, while taxes may not be as fun as bringing our beautiful creations to life, they're a vital part of our craft as business owners. Let's keep creating, learning, and growing our businesses, one tax form at a time!
Please note that the information contained within this blog is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, nor is it intended to replace professional counsel. We encourage readers to consult with a qualified professional or legal advisor for specific advice tailored to their unique circumstances. Ghost Poppy assumes no responsibility for any actions taken based on the content of this blog.