Izzybee, thank you for all your advice.
I live in Exeter, PA outside Reading and I thought also you needed to do alot more than this to sell out of your home.
Do you have pets?I am sure this will make a difference. I have a cat and a dog and a bird.
Right now I just deal with Family and Friends and friends of family and friends. I want to take it further and open up my own Retail Store in the future.
Any suggestions?
Thanks again for all the info
I do have two dogs, but they are outside pets. No pets are allowed in the home at any time, so you might not be able to get legal out of your home.
As far as retail, I am strictly home based, and have not interest to get involved in retail so I can't help with you there.
Best of luck!
Wow, if its that easy (and cheap) I might have to do that!
I live behind a church with a parking lot so zoning shouldn't be an issue....
What about fillings? Sometimes wedding cakes have custard fillings, etc. Do you just deny that to the brides or do you do that part "under the table"?
I do have an extra refrigerator and a nice new Kitchenaid dishwasher except I do not own my home. I have two outdoor (only) dogs. I live in Middletown township in Penndel/Langhorne.
I've been familiar with the Dept of Agr guidelines but was afraid I would have to start filing taxes and pay all sorts of money..I don't get enough business for that. Anyway with all the cake stuff I got this year I've definately taken a loss.
Would I have to start filing taxes as a business? That is my main concern, and the main reason I haven't looked more into getting inspected. However if I can just get inspected for the 35 bucks a year and that's it, man that's awesome, I'd do that!
You need to register with state to get inspected which means you would have to pay taxes. If you run at a loss you don't have to pay federal but you do have to file a schedule C. As far as state and local, I am meeting with my CPA next week to figure that stuff out.
If you rent, you might have to get permission in writing from your landlord to conduct business in the home before the township will approve it.
As far as a custartd filling, I would do it on the QT and not worry about that, it's so minor.
You need to register with state to get inspected which means you would have to pay taxes. If you run at a loss you don't have to pay federal but you do have to file a schedule C. As far as state and local, I am meeting with my CPA next week to figure that stuff out.
If you rent, you might have to get permission in writing from your landlord to conduct business in the home before the township will approve it.
As far as a custartd filling, I would do it on the QT and not worry about that, it's so minor.
Okay I checked out the Dept of Ag site and I understand the guidelines (have read those before), and I understand the zoning (the website isn't loading tonight but I'll call them soon) and I understand about the inspection.
We don't rent either, we live in a parsonage owned by the church....our front "yard" is the church parking lot. We also have a convenience store at the end of the road and office bldgs on either side of us, so I'm hoping that means zoning will be a breeze.
My question is, will taxes be difficult to file along with my other p/t job and my dh's stuff? I don't know much at all about taxes (dh does it on Turbo Tax each year) and I don't want to have to start itemizing and doing weird stuff. Should I wait until 2007 to do this?
But...bascially you are saying that I can get approved and basically "legal" and then I have time after that to figure out my taxes right?
So the only two things according to the Dept of Ag I have to do is check with zoning... check my water (its city water so I'm sure its fine)...and then set up an inspection. Is that it? I'm legal? (For bakery items)
It would be awesome to be able to actually advertise, like put business cards out at all the bridal shops...wow...
I'm confused about retail/wholesale. It says:
Fourth, if you are a home based food business and your intent is to sell retail (non-wholesale) from your home direct to the consumer, regardless of method of sale (phone sales, internet sales, or direct door sales) you will need to fill out a Retail Plan Review Packet for the Department. If you are not selling from the home direct to consumers or are strictly wholesaling your product, then you do not need to fill out the Retail Plan Review Packet for your home location.
So doesn't this mean I have to fill something out saying I'm selling retail?
I'm not sure where you got that, but I didn't do it. I think that means if you are going to open your home like a bakery to walk-ins, similar to the amish food stands.
As far as taxes you have to file the year you regsiter with the state so I would wait until 2007. If your dh uses turbo tax, (I do too) it walks your through it if you have a business. You do need to itemize in order to write off all your expenses.
If you have city water, you do not need to have it checked.
You have to get a letter from your zoning office approving the business before you get inspected. They require this and your registration as a business with the state.
I hope I've answered all your questions!
Thanks!
Okay then... if you could just tell me how to register my business with the state that would be great...
I think I will go ahead and get the zoning paper now...but then I will register and get inspected in 2007. I am going to have shoulder surgery in January so maybe that will be a good time to get everything legal while I heal up.
Thanks for the help! I've read the regulations before but was too chicken to jump in.
So "wholesale" huh...what is that, just I'm selling without having a walk in business? I looked up the retail papers and it did talk about having a food establishment which of course I don't have.
Are you going to get any type of liability insurance?
Looks like it might be harder to get one here... I contacted the Dept of Ag and they said its stricter here close to philly and that I not only have to get licensed through them but also through our county Dept of Health. Ugh. The zoning guy said something about that but I didn't believe him...then the Dept of Ag said the same thing and I'm like Oh...ok...
I looked up on their website and didn't see anything specific about home baking. Now I'm scared because if I find out I'm not allowed, then its like I would probably have to just shut down my website and everything. Right now I'm basically "word of mouth" and "ignorant" but... if I find out for sure its a no-no then I'm kinda stuck. Moving is out of the question.
Anyone familiar with the Dept of Health in Bucks county?
Sorry about that Kitagirl, didn't realize. As far as your website, if it doesn't have prices or any indication that you sell, than your fine. Just use it more as a reference tool. Also, do not advertise.
I did my business for almost 4 years via word of mouth with a non-priced website, and I was fine, but it is the roll of the dice.
Good luck!
We'll see...I still have to talk to the health dept. I did see on a website that there are certain exceptions to the rules for certain businesses so I'm hoping a home bakery counts under that. You can write a certain department and get an exception to the "certified food handler" stuff so... we'll see what happens.
Hi Izzybee,
I couldn't get into PAport.com It couldn't be found.
I went to PA Dept of Agriculture and went crazy trying to find where to go for help! I ended up with businesses for farms, etc. Any chance you remember how to get into where I need?
I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks so much.
Phyllis
I have been emailing my local health dept and I'm really excited as he told me that as long as I have city water and sewer (I do) and that I am only planning to sell the non-hazardous bakery goods, that I do not have to answer to them, just the dept of Ag and the local zoning!!!! So that is exciting to me. I saved my emails in case the other people want to have proof that he gave me the okay. I talked to zoning and they don't care what I do as long as I have the approval from the right people and give them their fifty bucks.
I do have two outdoor dogs so I have to ask the dept of Ag if that counts. They never come inside at all but... we'll have to see.
I am really hoping this all works out! My biggest concern actually now that the health dept is out of the picture, is insurance... I am hoping I can get a decent price on some. I live in a parsonage on church property and so I HAVE to make sure I'm covered because otherwise if something happened I could really hurt the church.
Just wanted to put in my 2 cents...I have a licensed kitchen in PA. It was easier than I thought, too. I needed a letter from the township, there was no charge. I had to make an appointment with the dept of agriculture rep. He came out to my house and went over the dos and don'ts. It made it easier because I have public water and no pets. If you have well water it would have to be tested and as far as pets go, I'm not sure what they would have done, but you don't want cat hair in your cakes!! I sat with him for about an hour and signed a paper. He said he has to check in with me every 2 years, and will never just drop in. He will call me to schedule a time when I'm baking so he can see my process. I am supposed to keep my baking items separate from household items, etc.
All in all it was a snap! Good Luck!
You guys make it sound so easy...but I just emailed the Dept of Ag (Sheri Morris) and they said if I am selling direct to customers that it is retail and that I have to fill out this retail sale thing and get a floor plan and list all my equipment, yada yada yada.
How did you guys get approved? My dept of Health just told me I'm fine to just answer to the Dept of Ag so I was getting all excited and then I got the email from the Dept of Ag saying all this extra stuff and some food code regulations.
What is the deal? I live in Bucks County, PA....
Also question.. the Dept of Ag says I need a tax ID number which can be my SS #....so should I register as a business FIRST, or just give them my SS#?
Help! And if anyone is willing to email with me that would be great, just PM me and I will PM you my email address....
(Oh and MY twp wants $50 for their paper...haha *groan*)
I could almost cry now that some of you are getting in so easy but it looks like I must have emailed the wrong person???
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