So I sell goodies to a local caterer who knows I bake from home and do not have all that legal work done. This local shop owner found out I sold stuff to the caterer and now wants me to sell at her shop but I think she thinks I have all my legal paperwork taken care of. She placed an order to be ready in 3 days and I dont know if I deliver the order will she be expecting some paperwork, maybe a W2 form or something (I dont even charge taxes for this reason) I was wanting to go to get a DBA, is that good enough, oh and I would bake her orders from a commercial kitchen. What kind of paperwork will she be expecting, if any? Would a DBA name be ok to start with, what else do I need? Im so confused when it comes to all the legal paperwork of baking and selling...Please help, I dont want to show up with her delivery and look bad or unprofessional

You need to call your local health dept and find out what is required before you sell anything to anybody.

Call her NOW and tellher you are not using a legal kitchen. Let her decide if she wants to continue with the order.
NO just getting a DBA is NOT enough. Anyone can set up a business with any name - doesn't show you are a legal business.

You really should stop selling to anyone until you have all your licensing and inspections. You're opening yourself up to all kinds of trouble. Call your local health department and find out what you need to do, the laws are different everywhere, so this isn't the place to ask these kinds of specific questions.

If you're in TX and you aren't legal I'd pull that website that is advertising prices and items for sale.

Honestly you should call her and let her know that you CAN NOT fill that order. It's one thing to take the risk for yourself not being legal but to put someone else's business in risk is a whole other thing. Selling without the proper paperwork is asking for a huge fine an a visit from the IRS. When you go through the process of becoming legal you will find the answers to all your questions. And then once you get yourself legal then contact the owner and offer your services.

Thanks for your advice. I will defintly get it all taken care of before I start business with her!

By the way, wholesaling has even more regulations than just a licensed kitchen in most areas, so be clear with the health dept.

Moving to the Cake Decorating forum.