Selling 3D Models/Textures online?

[Deslowarian]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?: Delaware.

Hello,
I want to be able to "legally" sell 3D models and textures online. Take for example royalty free 3d model websites which more or less re-sell your models. Do I need a business license, retail license and goods and services license? I really don't think this is needed, but my local town office seemed extremely confused so just suggested I go ahead and form a business.
(Like we all have tons of money to pay for that to get started?)...

According to major websites such as TurboSquid and The3DStudio, I may only need to file a 1099 miscellaneous(?) at the end of the year, but they too were unsure and leave it up to the user to work it out. They only provide that one tax forum at the end of the year after obtaining your social security number.

I assume the same thing is for sites such as Zazzle and CafePress, where you sell them photos and/or make your own so-called "store" on their site where you collect a percent of the sales from t-shirts/mugs which are made from your original artwork. However, I'm still a little clueless here. As is my tax preparer and everyone in my state it seems.

So, if you folks have an debunking information on this let me know.
Thanks for your time and concern.

 

[FlyingRon]

Many counties require any sort of business that operates there to have a license or at least register if they aren't incorporated. See if there's a small business advocate (or try the local public library).

If you are paying royalties or whatever out to contributors, yes you will need to issue them 1099's at the end of the year. Of course, there are other tax issues as well, if you're unaware of how to go about finding out how to do this yourself, you may wish to enlist an accountant to help you get started.

 

[Deslowarian]

I decided to get in contact with my accountant/tax-preparer, the elderly man has no clue. I tried two local library, they didn't know what 3d modeling even was... Closest I got was the Delaware SBTDC advocacy group, but their contact us page is currently down and they seem to provide information for small businesses and starting small businesses, not whether I actually need to start one. -sigh-

I think since I'm working with non-tangible objects, and not selling them within the state of Delaware I shouldn't need a license, but I may be wrong?
And trying to explain anything computers to the county thusfar has proven a lot of confusion and so-called unknown areas. I have been able to get some contact information, it's just that everyone I've contacted told me to contact some one else.

I hate to be a bother, but could any of y'all help me out here? I've researched for the past 2hrs and not gotten anywhere. Maybe there's some one who knows how to research this type of thing better then myself.

 

[racer72]

vickramindia, if you want to post in these forums, remove the spam from your signature. If you want to pay to advertise on this site, contact the administrator.