Taxes and Avon

Well, here we are another year gone!  Here is an article I wrote in 2010 about Avon and Taxes.  I thought now was a good time to re-post it for the upcoming tax season.
What do taxes have to do with selling Avon?
by Karen Whitney

Before I start, I need to mention that I am by no means an expert on taxes so please take what I have to say as a guideline and talk to your local IRS office or tax expert for the current rules and regulations.  However, this will give you a head start on what kind of records you need keep to make tax reporting time go more smoothly.

Unfortunately, when you own a business, you must deal with the Tax Man.  Your Avon business is no different.  Having said that, each individual's circumstances will vary.  So it is very important that you speak with your local IRS office, a tax expert. 

Because you are considered an indepedent contractor, Avon does not withhold taxes from your earnings, and tax reporting is solely your responsibility.  But don't let taxes scare you away from selling Avon.  In fact, it will give you a lot of tax deductions to use on your personal tax return.

Recordkeeping for your business doesn't have to be difficult and if you keep good records, you can ensure that you will receive the benefit of every tax deduction you have coming your way.  Here is a short list of some of the items to keep:

Organization is the key

When I was upset about how messy my house was and upset that my kids would not help to keep it clean, my son-in-law said to me . . .

"Not everybody can be organized!" 

Really?  Are you serious?  My response to him was . . .

"Have you ever been to my office at work? It is VERY organized!  There is a place for everything and everything is in it's place.  It's just too hard at home to organize because nobody will help out!"

Does this sound like your house?  Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize that I can't organize anybody but myself.  However, I can teach you the skills to get yourself organized in hopes that one day your family will notice and, hopefully, follow your example.  If not while they are living in your house, then later when they are on their own.  Unfortunately, I didn't learn these skills early enough in my child rearing years because both of my kids are very disorganized.