Do I Need a Business License for Fairs & Events?

[tiffanypc05]

when we go to fairs etc. do we have to have a bus. lic. since we aren't doing cash and carry. theres something going on in my area BUT the lady over it said the city said all vendors had to have bus. lic.

i'm confused so please help!!!1

 

[kat29]

Ususally a business license will only cost you about $5 - $10. If you are doing anything like taking orders and stuff I would get it just to cover yourself. But if you aren't taking any order just handing out flyers and business cards then you won't need it. From what I was told where I'm at is you have to have the business license if you are taking any orders cause you are still receiving money from a customer. So it is better to be safe and get it. It is consider a write off on your taxes. So it helps you out in the long run. Does that make sense.

 

[jdavis]

I was told by my chamber of commerce guy that I didn't need one. Only if you were having people going in and out of your home like a store, and were going to be keeping inventory, like having to get a storage shed out back or something. He said that the only reason I would have to get a license is if anyone would complain that there were people going in and out of my house at all times like I had a store in my home or something.

 

[Chef susan]

I think I was able to use our liability form or flyer at a show when I first started--it should be in the downloads--I just showed them that

 

[tiffanypc05]

the bus. lic. here is $72. Can't afford that....who do you call to find out if i really need them or not?

 

[kat29]

the bus. lic. here is $72. Can't afford that....who do you call to find out if i really need them or not?

Your in South Carolina like I am. The business license you are calling about it the one that is covering you for a full year. You don't need that. You need the one that covers you for a one day event. And that runs about 5 dollars or so. That is what I had to get when I participated in an event kind of like a fair. I did it just cover myself. I probably didn't need it. But I felt better knowing I had it. You can call the place that sells the business license and ask them. They should be able to tell you if you really need it or not. But from what they told me I had to have it if I was excepting money for an order. Hope that helps.

 

[tiffanypc05]

Your in South Carolina like I am. The business license you are calling about it the one that is covering you for a full year. You don't need that. You need the one that covers you for a one day event. And that runs about 5 dollars or so.

The guy over the business license department in the city i'm wanting to do the festival in told me there's no such thing as a one day business liscence.

He also told me that I had to have a bus. licensce for each city, county, and state that I held kitchen shows in. I thought he was crazy. IMO if this was true, pc would tell us that when we signed up.

They are wanting like $75 just for a business liscence for me to use one day!!

 

[mommyhugz1978]

HOLY COW... that is crazy!!!!! I would talk to someone at the chamber and commerce and talk to your director as well, Your director should get you in the right direction!!!

 

[tiffanypc05]

she says i don't need one but i'm just not gong to do the fair b/c by the time i pay for bus. lic. and the cost of the fair it's way to much money

 

[mommyhugz1978]

That just does not make any sence.... I was going to do a fair here localy it cost $300.00 for a Booth!!!! and I found out about it too late so they wouldn't let me sign up for it .... If I want to do it next year I have to sign up for the fair in March ... the fair isn't until the end of JULY?? Now is it me or is that just plain werid??????

 

[ihavethetools]

I would call HO on this. They'll lead you to the right person.
That guy telling you that you have to have one in every county city hmmm I don't know, technically he might be right.
I know technically as a trucking corporation (it's just my hubby and I) EVERY city that he unloads and loads in can tax him. (Like we're not taxed enough!). Nobody has enforced it yet. However we've heard rumor that cities, counties etc. are starting to enforce it to put money in their dwindling pockets.

Kris