The paperwork map for Johns A-Z Online Store

Q: I will run a drop shipping store, where I do not keep the products in stock and the supplier ships each item directly to the customer.

A: Hi John,
Without stock in a garage, the store runs on paperwork instead of shelves. A sales tax permit lets you collect tax on what you sell, and a resale certificate lets suppliers ship without charging tax to you. A business license names the store, and a home occupation permit applies if you manage it from home. Because the supplier ships, product safety and returns still land on you, so liability insurance is smart. We find out which of these apply to Johns A-Z Online Store and fill out the applications. Here is the full map, item by item.

1. Business license: A business license for a general store MAY ask what mix of goods you carry, such as groceries, hardware and gifts, your floor space, and whether you sell food or tobacco.
2. Home occupation permit: A home occupation permit MAY apply while a store starts from a spare room or garage, with limits on shoppers, deliveries and signs.
3. Sales tax permit: A sales tax permit MAY be needed because a general store sells many taxable goods, and some foods or household items may be treated differently, so each category is coded carefully.
4. Retail food permit: Selling packaged or refrigerated foods may require a food permit and cooler checks.
5. Tobacco or alcohol license: Selling these items requires separate licenses and age checks.
6. Fire safety clearance: A check of exits, aisles and extinguishers may be requested for a store with packed shelves.
7. Zoning clearance letter: A statement that a store suits the building may be requested before the sign goes up.
8. Employer registration: Hiring changes the list: an employer account, payroll tax setup and workers' compensation insurance MAY join the pile before day one.
9. Company papers: Depending on how you want to own and name the business, an LLC, a DBA or a tax ID number may come next; we prepare those too.

Why people love this line of work

A general store is a treasure box of the useful and the charming, with the smell of coffee, leather and candy by the register. Neighbors who find what they need become regulars.

Picture it

Lorelei hangs a chalkboard at Maple & Pike Mercantile and finds the form lists more categories than her shelves.

The reason owners form an LLC

A spoiled product sickens a shopper, and an LLC helps protect your savings.

Codes and counts

Business code (NAICS): 452319 (All Other General Merchandise Stores), 455219 under the 2022 update. This page lists 9 paperwork items for a general store, and each one is marked as something you MAY need, since we confirm which apply.

Tip: Walk the aisles every morning, check for hazards and rotate perishable stock by date.

The cat on the counter is the only employee who is never late.

Ready when you are: start your order and we will find out what applies to Johns A-Z Online Store, fill out the applications and keep the paperwork moving.