Accountant? Attorney?

[iris lilies]

You guys know stuff. Help me here please, do I need an accountant or an attorney to do this for me, described below. Money is not an object. I will not do this myself and I don’t care how easy you tell me it is, I ain’t doing it.


I want the following: a federal ID number and a state tax number.
I want these because they are needed for me to set up an account at the wholesale florist down the street from me.

I do not intend to defraud the state because I will pay taxes on everything I buy.

i want access to their huge, sophisticated floral supply house. They do not do retail sales.

Tell me, do I find an accountant or attorney to complete these federal and state requirements?

[happystuff]

A simple google "how to obtain _____ for <enter state>" gives the website(s) for instructions on how to obtain each. For my state, there were online applications that looked pretty easy. (I did not pursue the process very far as I don't need either>) So that said, it appears - at least for my state - I wouldn't need either an attorney or an accountant to obtain either one. Again, this was just a quick google search for sources of information.

[JaneV2.0]

You design floral arrangements, right? That seems like justification enough to get one.
You might check with an attorney on that issue. Otherwise, I'd just have a friend with experience in state licensing advise.

[iris lilies]

A simple google "how to obtain _____ for <enter state>" gives the website(s) for instructions on how to obtain each. For my state, there were online applications that looked pretty easy. (I did not pursue the process very far as I don't need either>) So that said, it appears - at least for my state - I wouldn't need either an attorney

or an accountant to obtain either one. Again, this was just a quick google search for sources of information.

Yes, I have googled it. I don’t want to do the work myself. I really dont. It is not easy to interact with the IRS. I went down quite a rabbit hole, many years ago for the Lily society’s tax exempt status that expired. I have no wish to do anything like that ever again.

One of my questions is, do I have a report that I need to file with the state every year about purchasing? An accountant or attorney could tell me this.

[iris lilies]

You design floral arrangements, right? That seems like justification enough to get one.
You might check with an attorney on that issue. Otherwise, I'd just have a friend with experience in state licensing advise.
Yes that’s what my “business “will be if I need to define it. It is floral design instruction. I give workshops.

[JaneV2.0]

I bet an attorney could do this for you quickly (and relatively cheaply). Call around.

[Tradd]

I’d say you maybe want a CPA. Just a guess though.

[catherine]

I would go with what happystuff said. Look it up online for the state of MO. You don't need either an accountant or an attorney, IMHO, but if it would make you feel more comfortable, talk to an accountant--you can at least run your taxes through them in the future.

Or go to your local Small Business Association for free advice.

[iris lilies]

You people are not listening.

I.Do.Not.Want. To do this myself.

I’ve already looked into this. Months ago and years ago. It has to do with getting something from the IRS, and then using that some thing for a state form. Also there are tax implications I need to understand.


Today I sent an email to a business accountant. That seems to be the service I want.

[Tybee]

Call SCORE and they will help you to get in touch with someone to do it for you.
St. Louis | SCORE (https://stlouis.score.org/)

[catherine]

You people are not listening.

I.Do.Not.Want. To do this myself.

I’ve already looked into this. Months ago and years ago. It has to do with getting something from the IRS, and then using that some thing for a state form. Also there are tax implications I need to understand.


Today I sent an email to a business accountant. That seems to be the service I want.

Got it. I agree--a business accountant is best. But it's really not that complicated.

[JaneV2.0]

I heard you. I ordered a similar form years ago, took one look at it, and lost interest.

[Gardnr]

Yes, I have googled it. I don’t want to do the work myself. I really dont. It is not easy to interact with the IRS. I went down quite a rabbit hole, many years ago for the Lily society’s tax exempt status that expired. I have no wish to do anything like that ever again.

One of my questions is, do I have a report that I need to file with the state every year about purchasing? An accountant or attorney could tell me this.

Create a DBA first. Then hire a paralegal to do the work for you. I doubt it is more than 2 hours of work and are standard forms. Ask your accountant how much revenue you need annually to have the DBA be legal. My state is $700.

[iris lilies]

Got it. I agree--a business accountant is best. But it's really not that complicated.
Maybe.

But whenI closed down the Lily society a few years ago I had to interact with 3 state offices: Sec of State, Attorney general, and Dept of Revenue.I managed all of that ok but those were state offices, not federal. And it took several months and I had to go in person to do stuff. I’m not gonna do that now, I am old and rich and I can pay someone to do that dor me.

[iris lilies]

Create a DBA first. Then hire a paralegal to do the work for you. I doubt it is more than 2 hours of work and are standard forms. Ask your accountant how much revenue you need annually to have the DBA be legal. My state is $700.
Hmmm, I get 0 revenue, maybe an occasional honorarium.crap I may have to gen up a job or two to get this done.

[iris lilies]

Call SCORE and they will help you to get in touch with someone to do it for you.
St. Louis | SCORE (https://stlouis.score.org/)
That might be a good idea except that I wish to pay for the service. I want someone to earn income from me. I want to put money into my local economy, I’m not trying to do anything on the cheap, I’m not trying to scam anyone out of taxes, I just want a service performed for me so that I can buy at the local floral supplier.

[Gardnr]

Hmmm, I get 0 revenue, maybe an occasional honorarium.crap I may have to gen up a job or two to get this done.


Sell 1 big arrangement a week during the season and you're there.

[catherine]

I’m not gonna do that now, I am old and rich and I can pay someone to do that dor me.

IL, I'm with you.

[Yppej]

Does the supply house only invoice or do they take credit card and cash payments?

If the latter and you know a florist who goes there see if they will let you buy on their account if you pay at the time of purchase. I work for a supply house and see this all the time.

What's in it for the florist? If they have higher volume they may get better pricing, or they may benefit from a rewards program.

[iris lilies]

Does the supply house only invoice or do they take credit card and cash payments?

If the latter and you know a florist who goes there see if they will let you buy on their account if you pay at the time of purchase. I work for a supply house and see this all the time.

What's in it for the florist? If they have higher volume they may get better pricing, or they may benefit from a rewards program.

I can use a charge card. I pay all tax. But I don’t know any florists. This is something worth looking into though, agreed, if this other thing falls thru. This is probably the best backup plan for me.

I do occasionally use the account of one of my garden club lady friends, but I don’t want to do that any more. I want my own account.

[Yppej]

Usually it's if you're friends or family with the owner, or work for them but do side jobs on your own time, that you would use their account.

[iris lilies]

Usually it's if you're friends or family with the owner, or work for them but do side jobs on your own time, that you would use their account.
There is a florist here in the city who uses garden flowers. Maybe if I give her armfuls of lilies, she will let me use her account.

[SteveinMN]

Accountant. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. :) It is not difficult, but if you absolutely do not want to do it, an accountant can do it easily.

Pretty much anyone can get their own tax numbers; simple application. You may need to pick some sort of business name so the ID numbers can be associated with an entity other than your personal SSN/tax ID number, but that can be as simple as taking the business name "Iris Lilies & Associates" with those new IDs.

[happystuff]

You people are not listening.

I.Do.Not.Want. To do this myself.

Even as I typed my post, I knew this would be your response. :)

Good luck and I hope you find someone to do it all for you.

Edited to add: After re-reading, I wanted to say this is NOT sarcasm - I truly hope this is accomplished!

[iris lilies]

Even as I typed my post, I knew this would be your response. :)

Good luck and I hope you find someone to do it all for you.

When I posted this I could hear in my head Steve’s voice telling me that I could do this myself it’s not that complicated.:~)


To make all of you happy, last night I filled out some government form for the Department of revenue. My IPad churned and churned, processing this online form. Finally I gave up nothing accomplished. Maybe I just need an accountant with better Internet service who Knows, but nothing came of it. I am FKN done with it.

[Geila]

Nothing wrong with getting a CPA to do it, if you have a tax preparer they can do it for you. I've done it several times for work and personal/contracting work and it was pretty simple, but I dealt with the IRS on a regular basis at my job so no biggie for me. It's like any other service, if you don't want to do it and can afford to source out, why not?

Does your neighborhood have a 503c status? If so, you can use the ID from that as well. I had a business license when I got my tax ID, so I don't remember if it was required or not, but if so, it is easy to get.

[iris lilies]

Nothing wrong with getting a CPA to do it, if you have a tax preparer they can do it for you. I've done it several times for work and personal/contracting work and it was pretty simple, but I dealt with the IRS on a regular basis at my job so no biggie for me. It's like any other service, if you don't want to do it and can afford to source out, why not?

Does your neighborhood have a 503c status? If so, you can use the ID from that as well. I had a business license when I got my tax ID, so I don't remember if it was required or not, but if so, it is easy to get.

My neighborhood org does have an ID and actually had an account at this wholesaler. I have used that account a few times, two of those times for specific neighborhood related things and two times for personal purchases. But I don’t really know the ramifications of it and I don’t want do it very often.

[SteveinMN]

When I posted this I could hear in my head Steve’s voice telling me that I could do this myself it’s not that complicated.:~)

Hmm. Apparently my reputation precedes me... ;)


My neighborhood org does have an ID and actually had an account at this wholesaler.
If you are a member of the organization, there would be no issue in using their EIN (at least as far as the IRS is concerned). However, the IRS has been more active in recent years about dropping from its rolls EINs that either have not been used or have not filed the appropriate annual documentation over a rolling three years. The bottom line of that is that, if you choose to use their EIN to simplify things, make sure it's still in effect before you endure the hassle of finding out it's not. That's a lookup on the IRS Web site; sometimes it takes more energy to find the EIN in the first place!

[iris lilies]

update:

Talked to accountant...talked to wholesaler for clarification about what info they require for an account...still going around in circles...

Wholesaler will accept my SS number as credential IF ALSO I provide a business license from the state. I suspect this latter comes with tax filing requirements.

All this, for simply wanting to walk into their store and buy stuff.



Still planning to pay the accountant to walk in The circles.

[iris lilies]

I’m resurrecting this old thread to report on the resolution of my dilemma, And I ended up not going to an accountant but having DH help me with the federal FEIN paperwork.


Yesterday I finally got what I wanted, a wholesale account at the floral supply place down the street.


I ended up getting an FEIN number from the federal government which seem to satisfy the floral supply place that I was a “business. “I pay taxes on all purchases there, paying tax is not the issue. The issue is, from their point of view, that they do not do “retail “service. They just don’t.

So you need something to show that you are a “business “so they let you in the door to purchase product. I suppose the issue is that they don’t want to provide retail service which means sales floor staff, returns, normal retail hours, etc. But I don’t need all of that. I need access to their extensive warehouse of floral supply items just a hop skip and a jump from my door.


Now I feel as though I have the keys to the kingdom. Yesterday I made my first purchase on my own account and it was only $80.

[iris lilies]

I will also add that when DH helped me with the federal FEIN form, he also was not able to get through to any government agency. Our computer churned and churned and nothing happened. Somehow he ended up on a commercial site that charged $250 and we got a number immediately.

Now, as far as I’m concerned $250 was a perfectly fine charge to get this damn thing done. An accountant was going to charge more which is why DH stepped in to do this because he didn’t want me to pay an accountant.

and I’ve been waiting for the state of Missouri for eight weeks to issue this magical tax ID number that I was supposed to get, or so I thought, but I don’t need it.. Now I do NOT need it. I intend to pay sales tax on everything and my account at this wholesaler is set up as a “tax paying “account.

[happystuff]

Congrats, IL. Glad it has been resolved for you.

[Teacher Terry]

That sucks that the governor site was so bad that you had to pay for something that should be free. Ugh!

[iris lilies]

Ooops, I guess not. I ran down to the wholesale florist to buy a couple things before they closed in 10 minutes and learned oh! My account is not activated after all! That was a temporary thing they allowed me to do a few weeks ago. They are still insisting that I provide a Missouri state tax ID number To buy from them.

My application has been with the state of Missouri for months now.


So. Many. Hoops.To buy from them.

[iris lilies]

I emailed the state of Missouri to ask why it was taking so long for them to process my application for a Missouri tax ID number.

Their response was “we need your business address. “. I thought to myself “oh would that be the business address that I put on line 10 of page 6 of the application that I mailed to you? Of course you got the entire application. You can’t tell me that you didn’t get it.”

but because it is a government agency, I was patient, very patient because apparently they have limited abilities. I repeated that information as well as anything else on page 6 that I thought they might need, and then I asked them “do you need anything else to complete this application? “

And today they sent me the documents that contain the Missouri tax ID number, required by the wholesale florist where I was to shop.

I ran down to the shop with this information, but the accountant office was closed yet I think it’s OK. The guy at the cash register let me buy stuff. He was the gatekeeper who would not let me buy stuff last time.


So maybe it’s finally solved? Fingers crossed, holding my breath, we shall see.

[iris lilies]

Now that I have the magic Missouri tax ID number, I opened an account at the other wholesaler across the street on Florest’s Row. That was a five minute process, no hoops! Their wares are limited and not very interesting, but it doesn’t hurt to have an account there just in case.

Is also ironic that I finally have the keys to the kingdom, an account at the wholesale florists, practically the same month I’m moving away. But it is all OK because I’ll still buy from them regularly as I will be in the city periodically staying at my condo.