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Forums · Photo Marketing

Sales Tax for Images

Discussion

4 replies
Posted by Ryan Askren on October 17, 2010 at 9:33 PM
Hello all,

I recently started my own site via Smug Mug in which I am hoping to make some sales. I am trying to get tax and legal stuff figured out. My biggest issue right now is sales tax. When does it apply and how do I figure out how to apply it? I'm not sure it matters but I live in Iowa and for the rest of the tax information I am considered an individual. Thank you for any help.

Ryan Askren
ryanaskren.com
Posted by Fred Stearns on October 18, 2010 at 12:39 AM
Ryan, you need to check out the Iowa tax laws as each state is different. If you are selling anything, you need to charge tax and have a sales tax permit in most states. However, if Smug Mug is selling them for you, that changes the picture. Again, read the Iowa tax laws, or a reasonable interpretation of the legalese laws are written in. You may need to consult a tax CPA or a tax Lawyer to make sure you stay within the law. Good luck!
Posted by Hank Pennington on October 18, 2010 at 12:42 AM
You may need to consult a tax CPA or a tax Lawyer to make sure you stay within the law.


Bingo! :toast:
Posted by Edward Mendes on October 27, 2010 at 4:04 PM
I'd give the Iowa State Department of Revenue a call, here is the website, http://www.iowa.gov/tax/educate/78539.html. They should be able to answer all your questions.
Posted by Adam Schallau on October 30, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Hello Ryan,
Fred brings up a good question...are you actually selling through the SmugMug shopping cart, or just using SmugMug to host the images? If you are using SmugMug's cart, they are the party selling to the end user, not you. Be sure that your CPA/lawyer clearly understands your relationship with SmugMug.

Adam - a fellow Iowan now living in New Mexico :wavey: