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Starting a(n) Business Licenses & Tax IDs

Hi, I'm 78413 Handmade Pens Business Structure and Tax ID RequirementsFor a handmade pen business operating online, registering as an LLC provides personal asset protection and tax flexibility. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) functions as your business's social security number, required for tax reporting, opening ..., .

   I am a crafter and will be buying wholesale items and selling them online from home and in person I would like to sell them out of state and maybe open an Etsy account? Answer: As a crafter, you will need the seller's permit to sell  online.

A: Yes, a sellers permit is required to buy your craft materials wholesale and sell them if you sell handmade crafts merchandise wholesale or retail. Users of a trade name will need a fictitious business name filing. For example, if you name your handmade craft business "TLM TRENDY CRAFTS," you will need to officially register that business name. If you don't file a DBA business name, you need to at least form an LLC or incorporate it in order to register your trade name.

                             Yes, you need to become a business to sell handmade crafts.

                             Thus, you first, select your business structure: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, LLC or Corporation.

                             Then, a sellers permit is required to buy your craft materials wholesale and sell retail  if you sell handmade crafts merchandise wholesale or retail.

                             If you are an employer, i.e., if you hire anyone to help you with handmade craft making, you will need a federal employer number and a State Employer Number.

                             Users with a trade name will need a fictitious business name filing.  For example, if you name your handmade craft business "Crafty but Arty," you will need to officially register that business name.

                              Finally, you have the option of incorporating or forming an LLC for your handmade craft business. We just bought a property that has an existing craft store, and we are interested in selling ice cream out of a stationary ice cream truck. We have filed a fictitious name and are an LLC. Let me start over..

           I just entered the zip code and won't let me continue. I am starting a crafting business from my home in Kawabata County, Mississippi. What do I need? I want to sell my homemade crafts at telemarketers what do I need to do? I will manufacture craft items, sell different type candy,sell wood burning items, and more. Furthermore, I plan to visit and take part in Texas and surrounding states. If you want to see craft items like homemade tshirts & keychains in MS.

         How to collect & pay sales tax? County tax too?

Q: online selling homemade products knickknacks nationwide on Etsy, Facebook, website, geek pages, etc?





     To buy  merchandise such as dollhouses and dollhouses  accessories  wholesale, you need a sales tax ID also called a seller's permit.



The requirement comes from   TN  state legislation taxation and finance statute that requires you to get a seller's permit.

    The way that works is after you get the seller's permit, you use the resale certificate that comes with the permit to fax or email  a signed copy to the wholesaler, and then you can buy wholesale because the wholesaler will not sell you merchandise without the resale certificate.

In fact, sometimes the wholesaler wants a copy of the original seller's permit certificate before selling you anything wholesale.

    Also, you need the permit number so you can remit the sales tax you collect from your sales in   TN  and other U.S. states.  You also need additional licenses to run your online business.      So you need at least a DBA, LLC or corporation, the seller's permit for that and as a business, a business license and an EIN.

   You need the DBA, LLC or corporation because you need to register the "Minirealities," fictitious business name.  You can do that with a Doing Business As (DBA) filing, an LLC set up or a corporate formation.

     If you hire people to help you, you need to open an employer withholding account and that requires a state employer ID as well as a federal tax ID to pay withholding taxes for your employees.



Q: I HAVE MY EIN WHICH IS 9 DIGITS, BUT DON'T HAVE MY SEIN I also have an LLC, but I have no idea what is a SEIN I repeat, I have an LLC, EIN, DBA, all I need is the seller's permit looks like it's working out with you or this is a person to machine conversation. A:Yes, you need the state employer ID and the seller's permit.

Q: do I need a permit to sell handmade crafts at a craft show?

Yes, the seller's permit.

I want to register my business - small custom crafts and flea market. Will sell at year-round flea market booth and online website.

Ok, to register it, you will need all licensing as with any business.

Do I have to be in a formal business in order to I am going to start selling items at a craft fair?

Yes, you can do formal licensing.

Handmade I live in South Carolina and I make handmade candles. I want to do a craft fair next month in GA. do I need any kind of license for this?

Yes, you need licensing such as a business license and a seller's permit.

  I have my license for SC and I just want to do one or two craft fairs in GA.

Hello, I was looking into if I need a license to sell handmade handbags at a craft fair I'm trying to obtain a seller's permit for a craft fair I have/had a salon, so I have my sellers permit, is there anything else I need to sell at a craft fair.

   I  make and sell dollhouses from my Etsy store from home online. I sell abroad and in all 50 states. Business License West point TN ?



            Answer: You need a business license, but you also need a seller's permit because you are a manufacturer as well as a retailer of dollhouses.  The State of  Tennessee has a sales tax rate for crafts that is 7.000%. The Range of Local Rates FPR crafts is  1.5% – 2.75% in addition to the 7% rate of the state.    According to   TN  Title XIV statute for sales tax, you will need a seller's permit AKA sales tax ID to sell merchandise for your Online Selling.

     To buy  merchandise such as dollhouses and dollhouses  accessories  wholesale, you need a sales tax I'd also called a seller's permit.

   The requirement comes from   TN  state legislation taxation and finance statute that requires you to get a seller's permit.



The way that works is after you get the seller's permit, you use the resale certificate that comes with the permit to fax or email  a signed copy to the wholesaler, and then you can buy wholesale because the wholesaler will not sell you merchandise without the resale certificate.

In fact, sometimes the wholesaler wants a copy of the original seller's permit certificate before selling you anything wholesale.

    Also, you need the permit number so you can remit the sales tax you collect from your sales in   TN  and other U.S. states.  You also need additional licenses to run your online business.

     So you need at least a DBA, LLC or corporation, the seller's permit for that and as a business, a business license and an EIN.

   You need the DBA, LLC or corporation because you need to register the "Minirealities," fictitious business name.  You can do that with a Doing Business As (DBA) filing, an LLC set up or a corporate formation.

     If you hire people to help you, you need to open an employer withholding account and that requires a state employer ID as well as a federal tax ID to pay withholding taxes for your employees.

  I will be doing craft shows may craft fair locally occasionally.

I may try to sell stuff online as well but right now not very will often be doing craft shows and craft fairs locally occasionally. Likewise, I may try to sell stuff online as well but right now not very often.

Handmade Pens: The Write Stuff

Handmade pens are not just about ink hitting paper—they’re about making a statement. With the global stationery market projected to hit over $128 billion by 2025, your sleek, custom pens could write your way into a very profitable business. Plus, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a pen that screams “luxury” and “craftsmanship” with every stroke? Starting costs for handmade pen businesses are surprisingly reasonable. Expect to spend around $500–$2,000 to get rolling, depending on the quality of materials and equipment. You'll likely need:

Pen kits (barrels, nibs, clips, etc.)

Woodworking or resin casting tools

Finishing supplies like sandpaper, polishes, or sealants

Packaging materials to give that premium unboxing feel

Oh, and don’t forget a solid dose of creativity—because that’s priceless.

Plan to hire employees

Form an LLC or S Corp

Want to open a business bank account

Even if you’re a sole proprietor with no employees, getting an EIN is often a good idea. It keeps your personal and business finances separate, and let’s be real—keeping things organized makes tax season a lot less painful.

Special Permits or Licenses for Handmade Pens

Beyond a seller’s permit, you generally don’t need any industry-specific licenses to make and sell handmade pens. However, if you’re working with certain chemicals (like resin or finishes), local laws may require you to comply with safety or environmental standards.

To Sum It Up

To set up your handmade pen business, you’ll need:

An LLC to protect your assets

A seller’s permit to collect sales tax

Business name registration if you’re not using your personal name

An EIN to keep your business financials legit

Your handmade pen business is poised to stand out in a world that still values the power of the handwritten word.

Market Overview & Startup Requirements

The artisanal pen market has seen steady growth, with handcrafted writing instruments commanding premium prices between $50-$500+ per piece. The global luxury pen market size was valued at approximately $2.2 billion in 2023, with artisanal pens occupying a growing niche segment. Initial investment typically ranges from $3,000-$8,000,

covering:

Basic lathe setup: $1,500-$2,500

Quality pen kits (starter set of 50): $500

Premium wood/acrylic materials: $400

Tools and finishing supplies: $600

Photography setup for online sales: $200

Website and initial marketing: $300

Business Structure Considerations

An LLC structure often makes sense for artisanal penmakers, providing personal asset protection while maintaining operational flexibility. S-corps can offer tax advantages once your income reaches substantial levels, typically above $40,000 annually.

Essential Numbers and Registrations

EIN (Employer Identification Number): Your business's tax ID, necessary for banking, hiring, and tax filing

Business License: Required for operating legally

Seller's Permit: Needed for collecting and remitting sales tax

DBA (Doing Business As): If operating under a name different from your legal business name

Insurance Considerations

General Liability Insurance: Protects against customer injuries

Product Liability Insurance: Covers issues with sold pens

Business Property Insurance: Protects equipment and inventory

Record Keeping Requirements

Sales records and receipts

Expense documentation

Inventory tracking

Customer database

Tax documents

Who knew making fancy sticks that write could involve so much paperwork? But once you've got these foundations in place, you can focus on creating those beautiful writing instruments that make people say, "I can't believe I'm spending this much on a pen... but I must have it!"

✔ Biz Structure

You can choose to be a(n) Handmade Pens :

Sole Proprietor,
LLC,
Corporation or
Partnership.
After you decide and select your business entity, you need licensing.

✔ Biz License

Corpus Christi Business Tax Registration ( Business License)
All businesses including home, online or mobile BUSINESS need a BUSINESS license because they are BUSINESSES.

✔ DBA Biz Name

A(n) Handmade Pens business using a fictitious business name in Live Oak County i.e. you are a business that uses a DBA doing business as trade name to trade that is other than the full legal (first and last -- full name) name of a sole proprietor or a name other than the LLC or Corporation business name need a(n) fictitious business name. For instance you open a(n) Handmade Pens business and you name it "Superior Handmade Pens Group". You will need to file a fictitious business name for that name.

✔ Seller Permit

In addition note that in TX you may also need a seller's permit if you sell merchandise that is taxable. (A.K.A state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate, about $39 for most states).
Seller's Permit

✔ Federal EIN

Note: All businesses need a federal tax ID number except sole proprietors that are not employers and are not independent contractors.
An independent contractor is a self employed business person that receives more than $600 per year from anyone of his or her clients.
IRS rule: The client must issue a 1099 form to the independent contractor and the independent contractor must have a federal tax ID. However, even sole owners may obtain a federal ID and use it as a business tax ID instead of using their own social security number as a business tax ID number.
However, all other licenses that apply to sole proprietors as discussed here are requited regardless of getting a federal tax ID number.

✔ State EIN

In addition you will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a TX Federal Tax Id Number ($29) and a(n) TX State Employer Tax Number

✔ L L C

Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing (about $49 plus state and legal newspaper publication fees) in Corpus Christi, Incorporate in TX or form a(n) TX LLC .

Filing a DBA is not required if you will set up an LLC or form a Corporation. There is a cicrcumstance that you may not need to register a trade name and that is when you use your full name as a business name if you use your full legal name as a trade name.
Also note that even using your first and last name may not help you avoid filing a DBA if the name has a suffix such as "& sons" etc.

✔ Incorporation

If you do form an Home Based Business llc or incorporate (about $49 plus state fees for most states) your Handmade Pens business instead of just filing a fictitious business name (dba), it will help you avoid personal liability from wrongs arising from your business dealings and you will not have to file the Corpus Christi business name. Instead of just registering your Live Oak County assumed business name (our fee includes assumed business name registration and legal newspaper publication) you can choose to setup a corporation in TX or form an TX LLC (starts @ $49 plus state fee for most states & includes bylaws for the corporation and Limited Liability operating agreement for the LLC that is required to open a business bank account). .

Free Seller's Permit

Handmade Pens: The Write Stuff

LLC or S Corp: What’s the Right Fit for a Penpreneur?

Do You Need a Seller’s Permit?

Registering Your Business Name

What’s an EIN, and Do You Need One?