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Can I sell products or services online without violating e-commerce laws in Ohio? What are the requirements?
Selling Products or Services Online in Ohio
If you plan to sell products or services online in Ohio, you must comply with the state’s e-commerce laws. Here are some requirements you need to consider:
- Register your business: You must register your business with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office and obtain any necessary licenses and permits [3.1].
- Collect sales tax: You must collect sales tax on all taxable sales made to customers in Ohio. You can register for a sales tax permit with the Ohio Department of Taxation [1.1].
- Comply with consumer protection laws: You must comply with Ohio’s consumer protection laws, including the Consumer Sales Practices Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in consumer transactions [1.1].
- Verify information: If you are a high-volume seller, you must verify the information you collect from customers and any changes to that information within ten days [2.2].
- Protect minors: If you plan to employ minors for door-to-door sales activities, you must register as an employer with the Ohio Department of Commerce and comply with all applicable Ohio and federal laws and regulations relating to the employment of minors [3.1].
- Obtain necessary licenses: If you plan to offer sports gaming through online sports pools, you must obtain a type A sports gaming proprietor license from the Ohio Casino Control Commission [4.1].
- Conform to federal law: Ohio law conforms to federal law regarding high-cost mortgages [2.1].
- High-volume seller notification requirements: If you are a high-volume third-party seller on an online marketplace, you must provide certain information to the online marketplace and keep it current. The online marketplace must periodically notify you of this requirement and may suspend your sales activity if you fail to comply [2.3].
- Product listing disclosure: If you are a high-volume third-party seller on an online marketplace, the online marketplace must disclose to consumers a reporting mechanism for suspicious marketplace activity on your product listing [2.4].
- Flea market sales record of purchases: If you offer new and unused personal property for sale to the general public at a flea market or other location, you must maintain a record of your purchases of that property [2.5].
In summary, to sell products or services online in Ohio, you must register your business, collect sales tax, comply with consumer protection laws, verify information, protect minors, obtain necessary licenses, conform to federal law, comply with high-volume seller notification requirements, disclose a reporting mechanism for suspicious marketplace activity, and maintain a record of your purchases of new and unused personal property at flea markets or other locations.
Source(s):
- [1.1] Violating consumer sales practices act.
- [2.1] Conforming Ohio law to federal law.
- [2.2] High-volume seller disclosure requirements.
- [2.3] High-volume seller notification requirements.
- [3.1] Registering as employer of minors conducting door-to-door sales activity.
- [2.4] Product listing disclosure.
- [2.5] Flea market sales record of purchases.
- [4.1] Sports gaming proprietor licenses.
Jurisdiction
Ohio