DBA? PA State Tax ID number?
lasia221 asked:
I’m trying to register for a craft show in Harrisburg. It’s the first one to tell me that I NEED a State Sales Tax #. (I make and sell handmade jewelry).
I tried the website, Pa-100 form. I tried the Open for Business wizard, which tells me I owe a fee of $70, but what FOR I’m not sure. I’m not sure I’m answering the questions right on PA-100.
I tried to email support, to ask where their office is that I might come in for help, but they just directed me back to the online form and said to call with questions. I need the idiot’s guide to WHY, what these things mean, and how to answer them.
I’ve been told I have to pay more because I’ll be DBA Lilly Jewelry, not something that has my name in it. I’ve been on the web for over a year, I have business cards, plus I **** my name, I don’t wanna change the business name!!
I’m trying to register for a craft show in Harrisburg. It’s the first one to tell me that I NEED a State Sales Tax #. (I make and sell handmade jewelry).
I tried the website, Pa-100 form. I tried the Open for Business wizard, which tells me I owe a fee of $70, but what FOR I’m not sure. I’m not sure I’m answering the questions right on PA-100.
I tried to email support, to ask where their office is that I might come in for help, but they just directed me back to the online form and said to call with questions. I need the idiot’s guide to WHY, what these things mean, and how to answer them.
I’ve been told I have to pay more because I’ll be DBA Lilly Jewelry, not something that has my name in it. I’ve been on the web for over a year, I have business cards, plus I **** my name, I don’t wanna change the business name!!
I got my business license in the past year and yes, it is confusing. Typical. The $70 is because you are using a fictious name. Under the enterprise trade name or establishment name. The reason there is a fee is to research the fictious name you want to use. Business license is only free when you put the company in your own name. So in order to keep DBA Lilly Jewelry you will have to pay for it.
The previous answer is correct, but keep in mind that you don’t actually have to have a DBA. In other words, if your business is just a proprietorship (and most craft businesses are), you can have an advertising name–Lilly Jewelry, in your case–but still have your own name as part of the signs and business literature. My wife’s handweaving business is set up that way. Of course, if you truly **** your name, it might be worth the $70 not to have to tell people what it is. But I assume you have it on your business cards anyway, don’t you? Nevertheless, it’s your call.
As to your basic question, which is why you need to do any of this, the answer is that you are collecting sales taxes on behalf of the state and you are *avoiding* sales taxes on materials you purchase for resale in your business. The state wants to have a record of who you are and where you are doing business, so that they can make sure you don’t just keep the tax money.
I wish you lots of luck in your business!!