Geraldine Smith

Unfortunately, I haven’t yet heard about the specific requirements in PA. Here is some general info about sales tax: http://forrager.com/faq/#sales-tax

You will need to pay yearly income taxes, as you would with any business. I believe most exemptions revolve around sales tax, and your ag dept might be able to guide you to the correct dept for tax info.

You should talk with your health dept to get the proper license. You wouldn’t need to bother with the special licensing for Limited Food Establishments since you wouldn’t be using your home kitchen to produce your items.

“Hygiene control” means a home kitchen inspection.

Typically the answer would be no, but someone did say that their ag dept allowed them to do it: http://forrager.com/law/south-carolina/#comment-51505

If the retail location is a food establishment, then I’m almost certain that you can’t sell there, even though you own it.

I think that fruit-only, thoroughly-baked pierogis would be allowed, and all other types of pierogis would not be. You can call the dept at 800-292-3939 to see exactly what they will or will not allow.

I think that would be allowed, but double check with the dept at 800-292-3939

No, it wasn’t passed and there is still no cottage food law in New Jersey.

You need a commercial license, which will free you from almost all of the limitations you’re concerned about: http://forrager.com/faq/#commercial

You do need to talk to your health dept and I think Etsy is a good place to start online. However, local sales are usually an easier starting point for getting a food business off the ground.

The letter of the law is that pets cannot ever be anywhere in the building where production is taking place, regardless of where the pets have access. I’ve not sure if your health dept would overlook that or not.

I don’t believe a product like that is allowed in Michigan.

I know you need a business license and you need to file taxes every month. I don’t know if they require you to get an EIN… usually you only get one if you are an employer of others, but sometimes it’s necessary for other reasons. You should ask about that when you apply for your business license.

As for your question about renting your house you might need to talk to your landlord to make sure having a business in your home is not in violation with your rental agreement.