PO Boxes and LLCs
Setting up an LLC has loomed over me like an unconquerable wall. A few years ago I almost paid legal zoom a few hundred dollars to set it up for me (this was for a different SEO business I was trying).
But I did not want to use my address at the time for the principal office address and I never went forward with the creation. That business is a failure, but still hanging on by a thread after a lot of money and time spent.
Here are a few infrastructure tasks I accomplished this past week:
Got a PO Box
Set up LLC
Post Office Boxes
I wanted to keep my address hidden from anyone on the internet, so I thought that I would go get a PO box and keep myself hidden.
Unfortunately, in my state, I can’t use a P.O. box as the principal office address. This forces my hand to just use my address. I’m not a fan of doing that. When I turn a profit in the future, I could look into a virtual office address.
Since I can’t use the PO box for the address, I may cancel it and get a refund. You have 30 days to cancel it before you retrieve the keys. If you cancel it within the first half of your rental period ie) within 3 months of your 6 month rental, then you only get 50% back.
I am undecided if I will keep mine or not.
Getting your PO Box
Getting the PO box was straight forward.
Go to USPS and then go to the manage PO box page. Sign in and use the search function to find a box near you. There are some filters so you can look for the cheapest option (filter by <$50 a month).
I double checked google reviews before reserving and was able to avoid one post office that consistently had one star reviews.
Once you reserve, you’ll have to print out the form and take two forms of ID to the post office. One id needs to have your photograph and the other needs to have the address listed on the form (lease, voter registration card etc.) I used my lease.
Then go to the post office with all your paperwork, wait in line (the lady in front of me was counting out $5,000 in five and ten dollar bills) and then you’ll have your new PO box.
LLC Creation
I was surprised that I instantly received an email from my state after I was done. Check with your states clerk site for how to create an LLC. Double check with a lawyer if you’re confused.
I don’t know if an LLC is required for what I am trying to do.
One advantage is that I’ll get to hide my full name on the Amazon store page. Yes, someone could like up the business name on the state’s clerk website and find me, but at least there is now one small layer of privacy.
I will have some personal protection now. At some point Amazon will require me to buy additional insurance for my shipments. But having an LLC should protect me in the future if there is a lawsuit. But I do keep reading about the fear of “piercing the corporate veil”
Going Forward
Going forward I need to get the resale permit which will mean no tax paid when buying items for resale.
I am trying to update my info on Amazon so my LLC entity displays rather than my name. But Amazon is being difficult.
Finally, I have one package of books that is ready to be shipped to Amazon. That will be sent off in the following day or two.