🔥 HIGH-INTENT: E-COMMERCE COMPLIANCE SERVICES

Research steps taken and summary: I performed a broad search across authoritative government, industry, and compliance-provider sources to compile comprehensive, actionable guidance on e-commerce compliance for US business owners and LLC founders.

I focused on: (1) state sales & use tax (economic nexus and marketplace facilitator laws), (2) payment and PCI compliance, (3) data privacy and consumer protection (state privacy laws and CCPA/CPRA), (4) product safety and federal agency rules (CPSC, FDA), (5) website accessibility (ADA/WCAG), (6) business formation, registrations, licenses, resale certificates and nexus for income/franchise tax, (7) shipping, returns, marketplace platform responsibilities, (8) penalties/audits and practical checklists and remediation steps.

I prioritized state revenue department guidance, leading tax and compliance providers (Avalara, TaxCloud, Wolters Kluwer), reputable industry explainers, and legal checklists. Key findings and practical guidance (summary): 1) Sales & Use Tax — economic nexus and marketplace facilitator laws - Most states impose economic nexus based on sales revenue and/or transaction counts; common revenue thresholds frequently cited are $100,000 or $200,000, and many states use 200 transactions as an alternate threshold.

Businesses must register, collect, and remit sales tax in any state where they meet that state’s threshold. Marketplace facilitator laws (now in almost every state) generally shift collection/remittance responsibility to platforms (Amazon, Etsy, Walmart, etc.), but sellers still need to determine nexus, register if required, and track reports from marketplaces.

Practical steps: run a nexus assessment, maintain a tax calendar for filing dates, keep nexus-triggering records, and implement automated sales-tax software (AvaTax, TaxCloud, Numeral-style tools).

Research steps taken and summary: I performed a broad search across authoritative government, industry, and compliance-provider sources to compile comprehensive, actionable guidance on e-commerce compliance for US business owners and LLC founders.

I focused on: (1) state sales & use tax (economic nexus and marketplace facilitator laws), (2) payment and PCI compliance, (3) data privacy and consumer protection (state privacy laws and CCPA/CPRA), (4) product safety and federal agency rules (CPSC, FDA), (5) website accessibility (ADA/WCAG), (6) business formation, registrations, licenses, resale certificates and nexus for income/franchise tax, (7) shipping, returns, marketplace platform responsibilities, (8) penalties/audits and practical checklists and remediation steps.

I prioritized state revenue department guidance, leading tax and compliance providers (Avalara, TaxCloud, Wolters Kluwer), reputable industry explainers, and legal checklists. Key findings and practical guidance (summary): 1) Sales & Use Tax — economic nexus and marketplace facilitator laws - Most states impose economic nexus based on sales revenue and/or transaction counts; common revenue thresholds frequently cited are $100,000 or $200,000, and many states use 200 transactions as an alternate threshold.

Businesses must register, collect, and remit sales tax in any state where they meet that state’s threshold. Marketplace facilitator laws (now in almost every state) generally shift collection/remittance responsibility to platforms (Amazon, Etsy, Walmart, etc.), but sellers still need to determine nexus, register if required, and track reports from marketplaces.

Practical steps: run a nexus assessment, maintain a tax calendar for filing dates, keep nexus-triggering records, and implement automated sales-tax software (AvaTax, TaxCloud, Numeral-style tools).

Payment processing and PCI DSS - Any e-commerce business accepting cards must use PCI DSS-compliant processors and follow data security best practices (SSL/TLS, encryption, access controls). Non-compliance risks fines, forensic audits, and potential loss of payment processing privileges. Practical steps

use tokenization/hosted payment pages, choose reputable PSPs, document PCI scope and remediation, and maintain logs and incident response plans.

Data privacy & consumer protection - There isn’t yet a comprehensive federal privacy law; many states (including California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and others) have enacted privacy statutes. Businesses must maintain clear privacy policies, cookie consent mechanisms where applicable, and comply with CCPA/CPRA and state-specific requirements for consumer requests. For marketing, follow FTC rules (advertising, endorsements, CAN-SPAM, TCPA). Practical steps

audit data flows, map PII, publish/update a privacy policy, implement opt-outs and consumer-request processes, and track state-specific obligations.

Product safety, labeling & regulated goods - Products may be subject to federal agency rules (CPSC for general consumer product safety and recalls; FDA for foods, cosmetics, medical devices; ATF, FCC, etc., depending on product). Some products require certificates (General Certificate of Conformity), testing, or registrations. Practical steps

confirm product-specific federal requirements, maintain supplier documentation and conformity certificates, and register/label as needed.

Website accessibility (ADA / WCAG) - E-commerce sites are at risk of ADA-related claims if not accessible. Follow WCAG guidance (levels AA recommended) and document accessibility efforts. Practical steps

run accessibility audits, fix navigation/alt text/forms, and publish accessibility statements.

Business formation, registrations, licenses, resale certificates - Form the appropriate entity (LLC) and maintain state filings, registered agent, operating agreement, and records. Obtain required business licenses and reseller/exemption certificates in jurisdictions where you have nexus or physical operations. Practical steps

keep formation and tax registrations current, secure resale certificates from buyers where applicable, and consult state DOR guidance.

Shipping, returns, marketplace responsibilities - Shipping charges and taxability vary by state; returns/refund rules and consumer protections can vary. Marketplaces may handle tax collection, but sellers remain responsible for proper account setup and compliance with other legal obligations.

Penalties, audits & remediation - Non-compliance can lead to back taxes, penalties, interest, fines (including large PCI fines), and litigation. Practical steps

keep records (sales, exemption certificates) for multiple years, implement automated compliance tools, perform periodic internal audits, and engage counsel/accountant when nexus or liabilities are uncertain. Recommended next steps for an LLC founder or US business owner: - Run a state-by-state economic nexus assessment and register where thresholds are met. - Integrate a sales-tax automation tool (Avalara, TaxCloud, Numeral, or similar) and create a tax-filing calendar. - Use PCI-compliant payment processors and document PCI scope. - Audit data practices, update privacy policy, and implement consumer-request handling (CCPA/CPRA & state laws). - Confirm product-specific federal/state compliance (CPSC, FDA, FCC, ATF where relevant) and obtain necessary certificates. - Conduct a website accessibility audit and remediate to at least WCAG AA where feasible. - Maintain business formation formalities, licenses, and reseller certificates. - Keep comprehensive records, run periodic compliance checks, and consult specialized counsel for high-risk products or multi-state exposure.