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Ask HN: Do you sell first or comply with laws/tax first?

by sawirricardo on 9/13/24, 2:07 AM with 7 comments

• by GianFabien on 9/13/24, 2:17 AM

  It is a jurisdiction specific question. In some places you need license(s) just to operate as a business.

  In most cases it is better to incorporate and do all the necessary registrations before making sales. But if your product/service doesn't take off as expected then the up-front costs are in vain. Some persons are comfortable with the risks of operating as a sole-trader.

• by JohnFen on 9/13/24, 2:22 PM

  Comply with tax and other laws first. To do it the other way around is, in my opinion, completely unethical. Even ignoring that lawbreaking makes the company literally a criminal organization, a willingness to do that indicates a kind of fundamental flaw that makes the business forever untrustworthy to me.

• by patrakov on 9/13/24, 3:05 AM

  Comply first. Otherwise, you won't have a business bank account where you could direct the money from the first sale.

• by monorailgusty on 9/13/24, 9:02 AM

  It probably doesn't matter if you're a beginner.