tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post7181476005656375971..comments2024-01-01T22:59:14.423+00:00Comments on Cherry Heart Blog: Let's talk about tax, babySandra (Cherry Heart)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-9311351847656134502015-01-21T05:52:31.980+00:002015-01-21T05:52:31.980+00:00Thank you for the link Sandra - it's the first...Thank you for the link Sandra - it's the first time I read about a petition and I am very happy to sign (which I have already done) and I will be sending the link to everyone I know. I am here in Germany and it is so annoying for me to see many shops close down or to know that it is such a lot of unnecessary work for the sellers of small items. I have always loved buying patterns that usually sold for a small sum - it's the same feeling like buying a bag of sweets as a child - a small treat in everyday life. So let's hope for the best!Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-6911273270544291532015-01-14T14:11:28.775+00:002015-01-14T14:11:28.775+00:00Thanks for clearifying, Sandra - have just signed ...Thanks for clearifying, Sandra - have just signed the petition! Marianne xxSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-3491057271033742282015-01-09T13:24:09.946+00:002015-01-09T13:24:09.946+00:00Hi Debbie,
I’m afraid that threshold only applies...Hi Debbie,<br /><br />I’m afraid that threshold only applies to UK to UK sales, anything sold to the EU, however small the sale should have the VAT charged. You just can’t be too small to avoid this! :( I suppose it’s good that Folksy customers at least have the choice of emailing their files manually to avoid tax (for now), but it’s now much help for those with automated systems! <br />PS The link you added didn’t work, so I’ll add it here in anyone is interested: http://blog.folksy.com/2015/01/08/vat-moss-update-part-two <br />Sandra xSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-81021117389554571262015-01-09T12:57:44.522+00:002015-01-09T12:57:44.522+00:00Hi Sandra,
I don't think that this will apply...Hi Sandra,<br /><br />I don't think that this will apply to those of us who are too small to get involved in VAT will it? I know that the threshold for this in the UK is about £81K turnover per annum - which I could only dream about - LOL!<br /><br />However, there is some good news about it now, apparently, check out: http://blog.folksy.com/2015/01/08/vat-moss-update-part-two :)Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-79520939725594515052015-01-09T09:17:46.213+00:002015-01-09T09:17:46.213+00:00Thanks for explaining so clearly ! - I've sign...Thanks for explaining so clearly ! - I've signed the petition and will keep buying patterns online despite this law to support small business. <br /><br /><br />Good luck to all ! <br />xEvaSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-35631140858750034432015-01-08T18:35:10.816+00:002015-01-08T18:35:10.816+00:00I think I'm just going to offer all my pattern...I think I'm just going to offer all my patterns for free and put a donate button on my page for anyone that feels inclined to. It makes me sad that a lot of creativity and sharing will get stifled due to this. I'll perhaps use Ravelry for anthing really fiddly or that took a lot of my time to get right. <br /><br />Anyway, thanks again for sharing about this.Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-47684881220040854222015-01-08T18:30:03.885+00:002015-01-08T18:30:03.885+00:00Thank you so much for signing April, everyone from...Thank you so much for signing April, everyone from outside UK will help them understand it’s not just the UK whinging! That’s my biggest concern too, the amount of tiny businesses that will go and the amount of people who will now be put off even starting. <br />Sandra x<br /><br />Cherry Heart<br />・Blog: sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk<br />・Boutique: cherryheart.co.uk<br />・Crochet Corner: cherryheartcrochet.co.uk<br /><br />・Facebook・Instagram・Ravelry・Pinterest・Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-18927870927459656122015-01-08T18:28:00.289+00:002015-01-08T18:28:00.289+00:00Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Sorry to be the be...Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news though, as it’s rubbish isn’t it? :( Thanks so much for signing and let’s hope there will be changes coming… <br /><br />Sandra x<br /><br />Cherry Heart<br />・Blog: sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk<br />・Boutique: cherryheart.co.uk<br />・Crochet Corner: cherryheartcrochet.co.uk<br /><br />・Facebook・Instagram・Ravelry・Pinterest・Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-28641012079909468512015-01-08T17:11:02.317+00:002015-01-08T17:11:02.317+00:00Thanks for this post, I was completely unaware abo...Thanks for this post, I was completely unaware about the changes. I was considering selling some of my own patterns online but that will need a bit more thought now! Petition signed!Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-1754311715947574302015-01-08T13:48:48.077+00:002015-01-08T13:48:48.077+00:00Signed!! I'm in the US, but value my cottage i...Signed!! I'm in the US, but value my cottage industry businesses way too highly to grasp how anyone thought this was a good idea. I cringe to think how many businesses will fail before this stupidity gets repealed or readjusted.Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-90562267100481338192015-01-08T10:12:56.710+00:002015-01-08T10:12:56.710+00:00It is very much so. Thank you so much, luckily at...It is very much so. Thank you so much, luckily at this time, most of my sales are through Ravelry and thankfully they managed to get something in place in time. It does limit plans I had for this year though, but hopefully things will plan out. Fingers crossed! <br /><br />Sandra x<br /><br />Cherry Heart<br />・Blog: sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk<br />・Boutique: cherryheart.co.uk<br />・Crochet Corner: cherryheartcrochet.co.uk<br /><br />・Facebook・Instagram・Ravelry・Pinterest・Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-38587987428138203302015-01-08T10:11:14.920+00:002015-01-08T10:11:14.920+00:00It is indeed. As I understand it though, for UK t...It is indeed. As I understand it though, for UK to UK sales there is a threshold in place though.<br /><br /><br />S xSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-71557993103297951842015-01-08T09:52:17.334+00:002015-01-08T09:52:17.334+00:00I'm sorry - but UK is an EU country too!I'm sorry - but UK is an EU country too!Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-30107443362936355562015-01-08T03:45:05.177+00:002015-01-08T03:45:05.177+00:00I was reading about this VAT last weekend. Many pp...I was reading about this VAT last weekend. Many ppl are not happy. I'm glad Ravelry had the smarts to hook up with Love Knitting. Etsy and Craftsy are still puzzled at how to handle this.Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-42674769814599193732015-01-07T22:04:09.352+00:002015-01-07T22:04:09.352+00:00It's so disappointing when something like this...It's so disappointing when something like this happens isn't it. It really hasn't been properly thought through, and it's penalising small sellers so badly. I do hope you don't suffer too many difficulties, it really is so very unfair. Best wishes, CJ xxSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-19830297617638897532015-01-07T20:12:50.760+00:002015-01-07T20:12:50.760+00:00Thanks so much for signing and it would be great i...Thanks so much for signing and it would be great if you can share the link too, the more the better! Let’s hope it won’t affect your daughter, or that something is sorted by then. <br />Sandra xSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-49650046330934279962015-01-07T20:05:35.530+00:002015-01-07T20:05:35.530+00:00Exactly Beth, and the ‘almost' bit is right! ...Exactly Beth, and the ‘almost' bit is right! If it wasn’t for the fact that many people are going to give up selling online because of this, it would be so bad it would be worth laugh. I expect they do very well out of the big guys, but the cost to administer the collection of a few pounds here and there from a couple of pdfs being sold is just daft! The trouble is, they just don’t seem to realise that’s what they are asking for. Crazy!! <br /><br /><br />Sandra x<br /><br />Cherry Heart<br />・Blog: sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk<br />・Boutique: cherryheart.co.uk<br />・Crochet Corner: cherryheartcrochet.co.uk<br /><br />・Facebook・Instagram・Ravelry・Pinterest・Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-37204659820470926362015-01-07T20:01:02.916+00:002015-01-07T20:01:02.916+00:00Thanks Sara!
S xThanks Sara!<br /><br /><br />S xSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-30489620553953432352015-01-07T19:36:32.949+00:002015-01-07T19:36:32.949+00:00There isn't really a word that adequately desc...There isn't really a word that adequately describes just how shortsighted and unmanageable this whole thing is. It is going to cost governments far more to administer than they can ever hope to earn. The world-wide aspect is so insane it is almost hilarious - I really want to see the EU enforce the collection of VAT in non-VAT countries. Australia for instance - how can they force a small to mid-size seller in Australia to collect and remit VAT on sales to an EU member country? I don't need a crystal ball to see that this farce will end the same way as Australia's ill-fated Carbon Tax - the cost of collecting the tax was double the amount of tax collected so in the end the government rescinded it. It's just a shame that so many wonderful small entrepreneurs and indi designers will close up shop in the meantime.:(Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-40019371259069907792015-01-07T18:17:00.207+00:002015-01-07T18:17:00.207+00:00I have signedI have signedSandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-56468713766963162332015-01-07T16:05:38.888+00:002015-01-07T16:05:38.888+00:00It's such a stupid and short sighted law - it&...It's such a stupid and short sighted law - it's going to really affect small businesses and prevent people from selling things...eugh!!!Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-76558595893894003492015-01-07T15:02:32.942+00:002015-01-07T15:02:32.942+00:00Thanks for the info. I have signed the petition. I...Thanks for the info. I have signed the petition. I have ordered online for some time but only in the last year been buying patterns digitally and would really miss it now. My daughter hopes to start her own business and sell her textile work online when she finishes college in the summet so this may affect her too. I only published my first blog yesterday and don't have any followers yet !! But if I do I will add a link to this post to try to get more signatures for you. (If I can work out how to do it!!!) :)Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-76170517136539859902015-01-07T14:28:38.995+00:002015-01-07T14:28:38.995+00:00Thank you so much for your comment Kate. I agree ...Thank you so much for your comment Kate. I agree with so much of what you’ve said, especially the part about the big businesses, it is indeed ironic to think they will end up with more business because of it. I too hope that there will be some changes to help the little guys. I too have heard of many people that are either blocking sales to EU or just packing up because they don’t want the hassle. It is very sad. <br />Sandra x<br /><br />Cherry Heart<br />・Blog: sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk<br />・Boutique: cherryheart.co.uk<br />・Crochet Corner: cherryheartcrochet.co.uk<br /><br />・Facebook・Instagram・Ravelry・Pinterest・Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-58005239204926043502015-01-07T14:21:13.597+00:002015-01-07T14:21:13.597+00:00Well, etsy have known about it for ages and say it...Well, etsy have known about it for ages and say it is up to the sellers to deal with it. I have already encountered a pattern seller pleading that no one from the EU buys their patterns. The sellers there are looking for etsy to provide a EU block button so no one from those countries can buy their patterns. That works for them as the US is still a huge market. Obviously just selling in the UK restricts things somewhat. <br />This means a lack of choice and a hike in the prices that can't be supported. I am already rather lack-lustre at the £5.50 - £6.50 price tag on a simple (a small zipper bag) sewing pattern which is now the norm. I do in fact know the amount of work that it involves, as it was meant to be part of my own business plan for this year. However, that is just greedy and I have plenty of books or free patterns to utilize instead. The idea of a pattern is that you work on it once and then you profit from that work over and over, it is not the same as selling a finished product you need to make each time. The same patterns a short while ago were nearly half that price. Compare the price of a book full of patterns and you can see why one pattern for nearly the price of some cut price books, or perhaps two for a normal priced one is not such a good option. I didn't think about popping a pattern worth £3.50 in my cart and built up a collection. £5 is money though that I need to think about before spending and I do. It is shortsighted because not only will sales be lost, it will be hard to build up a reputation with fewer buyers.<br />So these new laws are not good on top of that. Folksy though are not affected as they do not sell automatic downloads. Only this type of digital selling is currently affected in the UK at least. From 2016 (date not agreed on yet), all physical goods will as you say also be affected. Currently, in the UK you can sell patterns without the new laws affecting you if you send the email with the pattern attached manually - just how it used to be done not very long ago. There are also sites which you can sell from that help you comply with the new VAT laws with minimal fuss - Paddle and PayHip. I think Folksy only sell to the UK as well, so there will probably be no issue there. Until it affects all purchases, so selling platforms will just need to shape up. There is no way the majority of small sellers can cope with the administration, knowledge needed and the collection of data (not to mention the ethics of data protection laws). <br />It is already destroying micro businesses, I've seen many sellers removing their patterns. I can see that it will lead to people copying designs instead of purchasing them too. The irony is that these laws were set up because of the big businesses not complying with paying their taxes, yet one way around them is for the independent seller to sell on those sites who will manage the VAT for you. A sad time really. US businesses are supposed to be complying but many of them on etsy have no interest in doing so as they can't see how governments in the EU will be able to enforce the regulations. Hmrc says that third parties such as etsy are responsible but they themselves are in no hurry to comply. This will surely affect their business, especially once all purchases are liable for the tax.<br />Anyway, I'm hoping for change at some point, but not counting on it!Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4697593650732548152.post-36049028200034175952015-01-07T13:39:46.704+00:002015-01-07T13:39:46.704+00:00I know, it makes your blood boil doesn’t it? As s...I know, it makes your blood boil doesn’t it? As someone else pointed out in a forum I was reading, these people making the laws are people who have secretaries to work computers for them, because they don’t know how! <br /><br />Sandra x<br /><br />Cherry Heart<br />・Blog: sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.co.uk<br />・Boutique: cherryheart.co.uk<br />・Crochet Corner: cherryheartcrochet.co.uk<br /><br />・Facebook・Instagram・Ravelry・Pinterest・Sandra (Cherry Heart)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05632044137338148569noreply@blogger.com