A video from a Telugu woman in Aubrey, Texas, appealing to fellow Telugu women to shop for jewellery, clothes and sarees at her boutique, ahead of Dasara and Diwali has reportedly attracted attention on social media.
What particularly caught attention was her appeal to customers to pay through “cash or Zelle.”
The video has reportedly been circulated in some online groups critical of Indian immigration, with calls for authorities to examine whether home-based sellers are complying with tax and business regulations.
There is nothing wrong with running a small boutique from home or selling Indian clothing and jewellery in the US, as an LLC firm.
The problem arises when businesses give a suspicious impression by asking to pay in specific modes only. Texas requires businesses engaged in selling taxable goods to obtain a sales-tax permit and collect and remit applicable sales tax.
Similarly, using Zelle does not make business income invisible. Zelle says it does not report transactions to the IRS, but taxable payments received through Zelle remain the recipient’s responsibility to report.
The IRS likewise states that business income must be reported even when it is received in cash and no information form is issued.
So why create such unnecessary impression,? In the US, every public post can potentially reach far beyond its original WhatsApp or community audience. NRIs running businesses should follow the law, maintain proper records and pay applicable taxes.
Legitimate business practices and transparent promotions protect not only the individual seller but also the reputation of the wider Indian-American community.
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