Etsy shop

bargainfinder1992

How much does it cost to have a Etsy account? I was hoping to make hand made cards but sell them to to make abit extra money towards more supplies etc. Do you need to pay tax on Etsy items sold? How does it work? Can you sell just cards at a carboot sale? thanks

iammumtoone

You have to pay per item listed, sorry I cant remember the exact cost but its about 15p per item for around 4 months. Plus you then pay commission if it sells.

Yes you will have to register as self employed and fill out a tax return at the end of the tax year, same applies as selling at car boot sales. If you are making items to sell for profit then you are running a business so will need to be registered. It is also a good idea to take out liability insurance (just in case an item falls off your cards and a baby swallows it and you get sued - highly unlikely I know but still a risk)

Having said that I am sure there are loads of sellers on esty that are not registered for tax. Personally I would not take the risk.

Selling handmade items is not easy, don't expect to list a few items and just get sales you need to promote, promote and more promotion.There are people that make money out of it but it is not an easy source of income.

Good luck if you decide to give it a try.

dizzytina

I agree with iammumtoone you need to work at getting yourself known and it isn;t easy. I would definately say give it a go but it has taken me over a year to become succesful enough to open my own online website selling my handmade items.

Definately register with Inland Revenue as the last thing you would want is to end up getting in trouble and being landed with a nasty bill.

I am now registered as a limited company as my business has took off so successfully but you dont need to go to that extent and your local tax office should be able to help you with what you need to do.

Good Luck and as i say definately worth thinking about but make sure you are willing to put the effort in to get yourself known as there is lots of competition out there xxx