I have read the news today. Online store will be charged in court for not registering their business with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
The deputy of domestic trade said, individuals or companies conducting online business were not exempted from registering themselves to prevent fraud.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=...0310&sec=nation

My doubts here are:

What kind of e-business is entitled to this regulation?
Do we need to register ourself if :-

1. If we only conduct the e-business on a platform such as forum.
2. If we conduct business on forums and do have a blog-store in such as blogspot.com, etc.
3. If we're not a long-term seller, just sell something new/used from our own collection.
For example:
: Selling new/used cosmetics/clothes/hardware,etc that we bought and feel like letting go to earn some cash off it.
: Got a FREE cosmetic hamper set and sell it to earn some cash since it's not suitable for own use.

Since she said INDIVIDUALS/ COMPANIES that involved in money earning activities.
I personally feel that's too wide and not really a condition-specific regulation.

I am a online seller and will surely register myself if I am under the regulation of Registration of Businesses Act 1956.
But before this I wish to ask for opinion from members here since there're many involved in the e-business conditions that I mentioned above.

Could anyone here help to clear my doubts? I'd be very much appreciated!!

I have the same questions on this.

If we're just small time sellers trying to get rid of stuff, then it doesn't make sense to register ourselves as a Business, since we'll then have to pay for registration as well as do the accounts, taxation etc.

Gorvement Now Only Want To Get Money From Many Way.

I don't think if for those just clearing own stuff or letting go at lower price, it doesn't make sense to register for it.
And what if those that own a blog-store but doesn't have own domain/ official website, do they need to register too?
It's very confusing as they mentioned Individual/Company that earning money/making profit.
Really have to browse through SSM website for more specific answer.

Government is very good with confusing the rakyat...could be the news over-generalized the whole thing.
So, if you register your online business, you're subjected to tax? grr, just when I'm planning to start one, all those not so good news come out (i.e. domestic post rate increase)

Not sure shall we make an inquiry straight away to SSM?? Or should get some advise from online sellers here first? hmmm...*confused*

I've gone through the SSM website, and although it's very helpful in telling you how to register and all that, I couldn't find anything on who should be registering.

We'll probably have to inquire with SSM ourselves, since I believe most sellers don't know about this issue (I mean, how many blogshops do you see who registered?)

I have gone through Section 12 (1) (a) of the Registration of Businesses Act 1956 (Amendment 2001). There mentioned who are entitled to this regulations, but not e-business..=(
Yeah, many online sellers, but many are not really willing to face it? or already registered? LOL

no need to worry
we don`t have a shop house
thank you

really? that's good news then..maybe can double confirm this one. hehe

I know one online seller don't have shop house, but she registered her business. that's why I'm a bit concern about this matter.

Yeah, I am also concern about this too. As they mentioned online business, means e-dealing, and doesn't have a true structure of building/stall as a base. (Just my own opinion).
I think I will register myself as soon as possible if needed. As I always need to do shipping from overseas and afraid of parcel is being taxed and let them found that I own an online-store but haven't registered myself. LOL. (me myself feel that better be safe than sorry later).

I'm wondering about my case,

I'm planning to sell handmade items, sewn items. and I live in university (no permanent address at the moment) and I most unlikely to do international shipping (normal domestic post only). Does that count as well? I mean to register. If so what about address, they need address for registration right?

I'm worried too. Since I'm doing pre-order for clothes online and do not have a shop house..but the earning is kinda less

This post has been edited by Strawberry<3: Jul 22 2010, 09:42 AM

I think about the permanent address matter, you can discuss with the people in-charge when you really wanna register yourself.

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Added on July 22, 2010, 12:49 pmIn my opinion, as long as we are doing business, no matter we own a shop in real life. As they already mentioned "online business".
I was worried about the tax too, but I was told that earning below a minimum quantity doesn't need to pay for tax. (will search the more detail info though). So I think I will register myself since only RM60 for a trend name while RM30 if you're using your real name as in your I/C for your business registration. ^^ If you choose for a company registration, then I think the charges will be higher.

This post has been edited by Yulina: Jul 22 2010, 12:49 PM

I see, so you pay rm60/30 for registration. Do we have to pay for annual fees or something after registration?

hmmm, I already created a trend name when I started my online business, so will continue to use the current name when I register. ^^
For annual fees, i'm not that sure for it, still need to browse for more info. ^^

Tat's y everyone is saying The Government Needs Money now

online business definitely save a lot of cost

Any website that acts like a "shop" will be e-business. Even if you just open a blogspot & post some photos with prices, it will be e-business.

What is not e-business then?
1) If you are not selling anything through your site.
2) Main purpose is blogging, crapping etc, but sometimes got sell your personal stuff e.g. I want to sell my 2 years old car & decide to post it in my blog to get some response.

That's all I understand.

If like LYN, where they have advertisements worth more than RM1k (I guess), is that compulsory to register in SSM?

Thanks Vira!!! Your explanation makes me to have a clearer frame about the e-business gov meant. I shall register myself then as I own a blog-store.

so means seller from forum also got to register a company name as license? Any reference web?

We are not sure about forum yet. Still searching or most probably contact SSM for an inquiry.
http://www.ssm.com.my/hubungikami.php

just went to ssm in butterworth yesterday...
you surely need license if you have an e-commerce site with .com.my domain..

forum sales is considered personal sales, just that the communication is done online. It would be impossible to impose such law as personal sales could be done offline too.. and it happens every now and then.

I see, thanks for clearing up the confusion. so if you have you're own domain only you need to register.

Thank you Huangyong!!! Only with .com.my (own domain) that need to register? If in blogspot, but act like a business site? (.blospot.com)

only .com.my? how about .com or .net? but no .my

What about if we're selling through facebook?

http://www.icalvyn.com/how-to-register-a-business/

Its a simple process. About Rm5 for business name, Rm60 for the license renewed yearly.

i put my house address as a business license.

Tax wise, you need to keep tabs on your profit loss. A bit of hassle, but if you're running at loss (operation cost > sales), your tax is exempted, and its also combined with your day to day salary tax.

You can be doing your own personal sales as side income, thats fine.
its particularly for those doing it full time. Without tax, or a steady income into a bank, it would be hard for you to get a loan if you want to purchase a house/car. Thats when a business current account comes in showing consistent income becomes helpful for you.

TQ!! It's such an useful information for online sellers.

Please just go visit SSM office and have your business register for all the benefits. Don't try to sneak around with term of this. So, if you are serious in your business, online or offline, just register it ?
It is just RM70/year and can be done in one day alone.

A business is a business, and it has been done properly.

This post has been edited by mindkiller6610: Aug 2 2010, 12:10 AM

AGREE! For own good and clients would be more confident on us too! I will register my online store under my brother's main company I think:P

Guys, Thanks for helping and sharing all the while!!!!
And now maybe we can discuss about what are the pros and cons you have seen so far after registered yourself!

Another advantage of registering a business is you have a black and white document that states when you started your business, and your information is held by a third party that your customers can check should there be any questions or confusion to exactly who you are.

Which is why sometimes people don't want to register.

I've read the news and I wanted to register as I really plan to expand my business, in other way I think it is good to let my customer know my business is registered.

But what I concern now is, if I really registered my business base on my own .com domain, do I need to submit tax for this business?
This is only my part time, I have full time job with tax.
What I worry is if I registered and did not submit tax from my online business profit, they'll chase after me easily from the registered list? Will that make me into any legal issue?

I'm not intended to skip the tax, but it is quite a lot more troublesome to submit tax for online business, many of us didn't even issue any receipt

gov need money and they'll think of anything to get it... what a poor gov we have here. i felt shame!

atleast +1 confident for the buyer when shop in your website, I always need to google the seller name,bank account,phone no., email just to make myself clear about the seller online activities. I always seek for negative feedback more than positive and I will not buy if there's no negative feedback, coz it might be new seller.

Personally, I dont like to deal with people who dont register, even with good records, I will still have doubt.

If you are a full time doin e-business, you better register, it will help ur sales better.