Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website. # The Seller CPA ## Sitemaps [XML Sitemap](https://www.sellercpa.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages. ## Posts - [Business Income and Receipts Tax Compliance Starts With Accurate Bookkeeping](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/business-income-and-receipts-tax-compliance-starts-with-accurate-bookkeeping/): Marketplace deposits recorded at the net amount instead of gross sales. Platform fees lumped together with revenue instead of tracked separately. Refunds that were never properly reversed. Income figures that don't match anything the platforms actually reported. By the time those numbers made it onto a tax return, the damage was already done. Business income and receipts tax problems almost always start with the quality of the bookkeeping, not the filing itself. - [How Can Accounting Help Maximize My E-Commerce Profits as My Store Grows?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/how-can-accounting-help-maximize-my-e-commerce-profits-as-my-store-grows/): One of the most frustrating moments for an e-commerce owner is realizing that revenue has doubled while profit barely moved. Orders are flowing in. Ad campaigns are generating sales. Inventory is moving. On paper, the business is growing. In reality, the owner is working harder than ever and wondering where all the money went. If you've ever asked yourself, ‘How can accounting help maximize my e-commerce profits?’, you're not alone, and the problem is almost never the revenue itself. - [Does Shopify Remit Sales Tax? What Ecommerce Brands Need to Understand](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/does-shopify-remit-sales-tax/): If you have ever asked, "does Shopify remit sales tax?", the answer is not always straightforward. While Shopify provides tools that help calculate sales tax, the responsibility for collecting, tracking, filing, and remitting taxes often remains with the seller. Understanding how Shopify and sales tax work together is essential for protecting your business from penalties, audits, and unexpected liabilities. - [Why Amazon Seller Accounting Breaks Down Once You Pass 7 Figures](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/amazon-seller-accounting/): This is where many businesses discover that their existing systems are no longer sufficient. What worked at $250,000 in revenue often creates blind spots at $1 million and beyond. Understanding why amazon seller accounting becomes more challenging as you scale is the first step toward building a stronger financial foundation. - [Ecommerce Accountants: Ensuring Tax Compliance And Audit-Ready Books](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/ecommerce-accountants/): Managing a high-growth digital brand requires a shift from simple bookkeeping to sophisticated financial oversight. As your revenue climbs past seven figures, the complexity of your operations demands the expertise of specialized ecommerce accountants who understand the unique friction between marketplace data and tax regulations. At this level, you are no longer just tracking sales; you are managing a global supply chain, complex platform fees, and a multi-state tax footprint. Maintaining audit-ready books is not just a defensive measure against the IRS; it is a strategic requirement for anyone looking to scale a sustainable brand. - [What Are the Benefits Of Using Specialized Accounting For E-Commerce When Applying for Loans](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-using-specialized-accounting-for-e-commerce/): Scaling a brand from a passion project to a seven-figure powerhouse is a massive achievement, but it often requires a significant capital injection to reach the next level. When you sit down with a lender or an investor, they aren't looking at your marketing creative; they are looking at the health of your balance sheet. This is where many founders hit a wall. If you are wondering what are the benefits of using specialized accounting for e-commerce during the lending process, the answer lies in the transition from financial chaos to clarity. Lenders demand precision, and generalist firms often miss the nuances of multi-channel sales and inventory valuations that are specific to your industry. - [Accounting Implications Of E-Commerce Businesses: Why Bookkeeping Drives Growth](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/accounting-implications-of-e-commerce-businesses/): Scaling a brand to the seven figure mark is a massive achievement, but it brings a unique set of challenges that traditional retail businesses rarely face. As your volume increases, the accounting implications of e-commerce businesses become a central factor in whether you continue to grow or hit a financial ceiling. It is no longer enough to simply watch your bank balance; you need to understand the complex flow of data between your sales platforms and your ledger. Without this clarity, you are essentially flying blind, making critical decisions about inventory and ad spend based on incomplete or inaccurate information. Financial chaos is the natural result of ignoring these details, and it often prevents founders from seeing the true health of their operation. - [Taxable Business Income For Ecommerce: How Bookkeeping Strengthens Investor Confidence](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/taxable-business-income/): Running a high-growth brand means you are constantly balancing inventory levels, ad spend, and platform fees. However, as you scale past the $1M mark, the way you manage your taxable business income becomes the ultimate signal of your company's health. It is no longer just about staying compliant with the IRS; it is about proving to external partners, lenders, and potential acquirers that your numbers are bulletproof. When your books are messy, you are not just risking an audit; you are actively devaluing the brand you have worked so hard to build. - [Business Income and Receipts Tax for Ecommerce: Why Accurate Bookkeeping Is Non-Negotiable](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/business-income-and-receipts-tax/): Understanding business income and receipts tax is essential if you want to stay compliant, avoid audits, and present clean financials to investors. Accurate bookkeeping is the only way to classify receipts properly, determine actual taxable income, and protect your business from costly reporting errors. - [Ecommerce Specialist Accountant: Why Bookkeeping Matters When Scaling Your Business](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/ecommerce-specialist-accountant/): An ecommerce specialist accountant understands that scaling introduces complexity. Marketplace fees, multi channel payouts, inventory timing, and tax compliance all require structured oversight. Without monthly bookkeeping, sellers lose visibility, miss profit leaks, and expose themselves to compliance risk. - [Which E-Commerce Platform Has the Best Resources for Accounting?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/which-e-commerce-platform-has-the-best-resources-for-accounting/): If you are asking which e-commerce platform has the best resources for accounting, the answer depends on how well the platform integrates with accounting software, supports detailed reporting, and handles the realities of ecommerce such as fees, refunds, and multi channel sales. This guide compares major ecommerce platforms through an accounting lens so you can make a decision that supports long term growth. - [What Are Important Accounting Practices for Online Retailers Scaling to 7 Figures?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/accounting-practices-for-online-retailers/): If you are asking what are important accounting practices for online retailers, the answer lies in structure, consistency, and accuracy. Strong accounting practices give you visibility into true profitability, help you stay compliant, and allow your business to scale without financial blind spots. - [How Can Accounting Help Maximize My E-Commerce Profits?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/how-accounting-maximize-ecommerce-profits/): If you have ever asked, “How can accounting help maximize my e-commerce profits?” the answer lies in using accurate data to make informed decisions. With professional systems and guidance, you can transform bookkeeping from a compliance task into a profit strategy. - [Capital Raising Services for Ecommerce Businesses: What to Expect](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/capital-raising-services/): As ecommerce businesses scale, access to capital becomes one of the biggest growth hurdles. Expanding into new marketplaces, increasing inventory, or investing in technology all require funding that most sellers cannot sustain through cash flow alone. That is where capital raising services become essential. - [Raising Capital: How Ecommerce Accountants Prepare Businesses for Funding](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/raising-capital/): Raising capital for your ecommerce business takes more than ambition and strong sales. Investors and lenders look beyond your products; they want evidence that your financial systems are accurate, transparent, and scalable. Clean, organized books are the foundation of trust during funding discussions, and that is where a specialized ecommerce accountant becomes essential. - [Raising Capital for Business: Why 7-Figure Ecommerce Sellers Need Clean Books](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/raising-capital-for-business/): When your ecommerce business starts scaling past seven figures, growth can stall for one simple reason: lack of capital. Whether you’re expanding inventory, entering new marketplaces, or investing in automation, raising capital for business is often the next big step. But here’s what many founders overlook: investors and lenders aren’t just looking at your sales; they’re looking at your books. - [Ecommerce Set Up Bookkeeping: Getting It Right From Day One](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/ecommerce-set-up-bookkeeping/): Ecommerce set up bookkeeping is about building a foundation for financial clarity, scalability, and compliance. It’s not just data entry; it’s the process that keeps your financial reports accurate, your tax filings clean, and your business audit-ready. Whether you sell on Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, or Etsy, setting up bookkeeping correctly determines how efficiently you grow. - [How To Do Bookkeeping For Amazon Sellers Without Losing Control](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/how-to-do-bookkeeping-for-amazon-sellers/): If your Amazon business has started generating consistent revenue, you’ve likely realised that bookkeeping isn’t just about data entry, it’s about visibility. You can’t manage what you can’t measure, and when your payouts, fees, returns, and inventory start scaling, “simple spreadsheets” stop cutting it. - [Ecommerce Bookkeeping Software: Tools Every 7-Figure Seller Should Know](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/ecommerce-bookkeeping-software/): Choosing the right ecommerce bookkeeping software is critical to maintain accuracy, save time, and make smarter business decisions. This guide explores the best tools, integrations, and strategies that every serious online seller should know. - [Bookkeeping for Shopify: Specialized Support for High-Revenue Stores](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/bookkeeping-for-shopify/): Specialized bookkeeping for Shopify helps you stay compliant, maintain accuracy, and see your real profitability across products and channels. Here’s what makes Shopify bookkeeping so different. - [Bookkeeping for Online Business: Why 7-Figure Sellers Can’t Afford Generalists](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/bookkeeping-for-online-business/): Bookkeeping for online businesses involves multifaceted challenges that traditional bookkeeping methods often cannot address adequately. Unlike standard bookkeeping, which might focus on basic expense tracking and income recording, ecommerce bookkeeping requires handling multiple sales channels, complex marketplace fees, frequent returns, and detailed inventory management. The intricacies increase as your business scales, compounding the risk of errors and reducing the quality of your financial data.  - [Bookkeeping for Ecommerce: The Key to Tax Compliance and Stress-Free Scaling](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/bookkeeping-for-ecommerce/): Every successful ecommerce business knows that behind every smooth operation lies well-organized financial records. Bookkeeping is the foundation that supports your ability to stay tax compliant, optimize profitability, and scale your brand without unnecessary stress. But ecommerce bookkeeping is more complex than traditional bookkeeping, it’s a specialized skill set that ensures you can leverage your data to make confident decisions and avoid costly mistakes.  - [How to Reconcile Shop Pay Installments (Affirm) in Shopify Accounting](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/how-to-reconcile-shop-pay-installments-affirm-in-shopify-accounting/): In this post I explain why you are seeing deposits from “shoppayinst afrm” and how to handle your accounting for these transactions. - [Accounting for Shopify Payment Gateways](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/accounting-for-shopify-payment-gateways/): Learn how Shopify payment gateways should be mapped and why Shopify accounting is so challenging. - [The $44k Amazon Tax Error and Why You Need an Amazon CPA](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/the-44k-amazon-tax-error-and-why-you-need-an-amazon-cpa/): Learn how we got an Amazon seller $44k back. - [Bench Accounting Failed, Now What?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/bench-accounting-failed-now-what/): 2 days ago, the accounting startup Bench failed. They failed in such a way that left thousands of customers hanging just before year-end. Most likely the books of these customers were updated through November 2024 at best and completion of year-end books would not be completed till some time in January 2025. That means all these customers are left without year-end financials just before tax season. What a nightmare! - [Selling with Amazon FBA for Non-U.S. Residents – The Definitive Guide](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/selling-with-amazon-fba-for-non-us-residents-the-definitive-guide/): Confused about income tax for non-resident Amazon sellers? Look no further and read the definitive guide to understanding U.S. income tax for non-residents. - [How to Set Up an S Corp as an Amazon Seller](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-s-corp-as-an-amazon-seller/): Many sellers don’t understand S corps. In this post, I review the steps to file and operate an S corp. - [Sales Tax for Amazon Sellers](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/sales-tax-for-amazon-sellers/): If you're selling on platforms other than Amazon, it's crucial to understand your sales tax obligations. - [What Is The Best Type Of Business Entity For An Amazon Seller?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/what-is-the-best-type-of-business-entity-for-an-amazon-seller-lcd2l/): The top consideration for most Amazon sellers when forming a business entity is minimizing income taxes. Most sellers form a single-member LLC. Sometimes it makes sense to elect to be taxed as an S corporation. - [Is Selling On Amazon Canada And Mexico Worth It? Probably Not!](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/is-selling-on-amazon-canada-and-mexico-worth-it-probably-not-kszya/): Expanding your business to new markets can be an exciting prospect for any online seller. With the popularity of e-commerce platforms like Amazon, it's natural to consider selling on multiple Amazon marketplaces. - [Tax Consequences Of S Corp Shareholder Loans](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/tax-consequences-of-s-corp-shareholder-loans-eyj4k/): S corporations are a popular form of business entity in the United States due to their flexibility and tax advantages. However, certain rules and regulations must be followed in order to maintain this tax status, particularly with respect to loans to shareholders. - [What Types Of Taxes Do Amazon Sellers Have To Pay?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/what-types-of-taxes-do-amazon-sellers-have-to-pay-zkzes/): I wanted to cover this topic because there seems to be a good deal of confusion of over the different types of taxes and what you should concern yourself with as a seller. The types of taxes can be broken down on two broad levels - state and federal taxes. - [Do Amazon Sellers Have To Pay Sales Tax?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/do-amazon-sellers-have-to-pay-sales-tax-pted4/): Do you need to collect sales tax as an Amazon Seller? It depends on 2 factors: 1) the state you operate your business in and 2) whether or not you sell on other platforms. - [What Do I Need To Give My CPA To Prepare Income Tax Returns?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/what-do-i-need-to-give-my-cpa-to-prepare-income-tax-returns-7958z/): I’ve put together a list of everything you’ll need to pull together for your CPA to prepare your income tax return. - [Choosing A Business Entity Type For Amazon Sellers](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/choosing-a-business-entity-type-for-amazon-sellers-7tzgr/): Part of starting your Amazon Seller business is choosing the business entity type that best meets your needs. - [5 Amazon Seller Financial Mistakes To Avoid](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/how-to-complete-an-amazon-product-profitability-analysis-8pa3l-w47sp/): It’s tax time so I should start looking for a CPA to prepare my taxes right? Wrong. The fact is that a CPA can prepare your taxes at that point, but if you haven’t kept up with your books for the prior year, it could cost you a lot more. - [How To Complete An Amazon Product Profitability Analysis](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/how-to-complete-an-amazon-product-profitability-analysis-s34gb/): The key to building a successful Amazon FBA/MFA business is to find profitable products that customers want to buy and sell them. - [5 Reasons InventoryLab Is Not A Complete Bookkeeping Solution](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/5-reasons-inventorylab-is-not-a-complete-bookkeeping-solution-lemsy/): Setting up such a system is well within reach, but each seller has different nuances that have to be accounted for to ensure a set that meets their needs. - [Deciding Whether To Raise Capital](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/deciding-whether-to-raise-capital-n9hpl/): My number one piece of advice is NOT to use financing if you don't have to. If you have cash to invest in your business and can avoid using debt or equity financing, stick to cash - [What Is ACOS?](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/blog-post-title-four-6z7dl-gasbm/): Determining what is acceptable from an ad spend cost is based on the ROI (return on investment) that you wish to achieve for your product. Generally the higher the ROI you want to achieve, the lower the ACOS you'll want to aim for. ## Pages - [Amazon Accountants & Bookkeeping Services](https://www.sellercpa.com/bookkeeping-for-amazon-sellers/): Working with experienced Amazon accountants means your numbers are accurate, organized, and delivered on time each month. Our bookkeeping for Amazon sellers captures FBA fees, cost of goods sold, refunds, and advertising spend so you clearly understand your profitability. - [Shopify Accountant & Bookkeeping Services](https://www.sellercpa.com/shopify-bookkeeping/): Working with a dedicated Shopify accountant means your numbers are accurate, complete, and delivered on time each month. You receive clear financial statements with proper revenue recognition, cost of goods sold, Shopify fees, refunds, and inventory tracked correctly so you always understand your profitability. - [Tax Planning](https://www.sellercpa.com/tax-planning/): Tax preparation looks backward. Ecommerce tax planning services help you make better decisions before the year ends. - [Ecommerce Accountant service](https://www.sellercpa.com/ecommerce-accountant/): Full-Service Ecommerce Accounting Led By CPAs - [Author](https://www.sellercpa.com/steve-freshour-cpa/): Steven Freshour, CPA is the founder of The Seller CPA and one of the few accountants who has actually lived the ecommerce journey himself. Before launching the firm in 2019, he spent years inside small business lending, fintech startups, commercial banking, and federal operations. Later he ran his own ecommerce brand. That hands-on experience shaped his vision for a firm built specifically for online sellers who want clarity, better systems, and real financial support. - [E-commerce Bookkeeping Services](https://www.sellercpa.com/ecommerce-bookkeeping-services/): Managing an ecommerce business is hard enough without trying to piece together numbers from Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, or your other sales channels. When your books aren’t accurate, every decision becomes a guess. Our ecommerce bookkeeping services give you clear, reliable financials each month so you always know where your money is going and what your store is actually earning. - [Home](https://www.sellercpa.com/): Work with an experienced ecommerce CPA who understands Amazon, Shopify, and multi-channel growth. - [Videos](https://www.sellercpa.com/resources/videos/): Discover why 7-figure Shopify sellers need specialized bookkeeping. Learn how expert Shopify bookkeepers manage payouts, taxes, and profitability to keep your store audit-ready and growth-focused... - [Podcasts](https://www.sellercpa.com/resources/podcasts/): Podcasts Podcast Recordings Our Client Services Team is Available Get In Touch - [Offer – Self Review](https://www.sellercpa.com/lm/free-ecommerce-bookkeeping-self-review/): Take 2 minutes to find out if your books are healthy — or if they’re putting your business at risk. - [Free Quickbooks review](https://www.sellercpa.com/lp/free-quickbooks-review/): We offer a limited number of free QuickBooks reviews each month to ensure every business receives the attention it deserves. Don’t miss your chance to get expert feedback: reserve your spot today. - [Resources](https://www.sellercpa.com/resources/): Resources Take The Free Ecommerce Bookkeeping Self-Review Take The Review Now - [Privacy Policy](https://www.sellercpa.com/privacy-policy/): The Seller CPA LLC understands that your privacy is important to you. This notice outlines how your Personal Information will be protected. By using the services of The Seller CPA LLC or visiting its website you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to use your Personal Information as outlined, call us or write to https://www.sellercpa.com/  - [Blog](https://www.sellercpa.com/blog/): Blogs - [Non-Resident Alien Income Tax](https://www.sellercpa.com/non-resident-alien-income-tax/): U.S. Tax Filing Made Clear For Non-Resident Sellers - [Income Tax Preparation](https://www.sellercpa.com/income-tax-preparation/): Accurate Filings. No Surprises. Done Right The First Time. - [Client Profiles](https://www.sellercpa.com/client-profiles/): How can you relate to one of our clients? Ecommerce business have unique needs. Everyone is at a different stage of growth, which means different services for each client. That’s why our pricing plans range from tax-only clients, to much more complex clients that need more advanced services, reporting and communication. - [Pricing](https://www.sellercpa.com/pricing/): Every ecommerce business is different. The variations include sales volume, order volume, number of sales channels, payment gateways, number of bank accounts and credit cards, number of transactions, financing used, partners or shareholders involved, U.S. residency status and everything in between. It would be an insult to the unique circumstance of each client to think that we could box you into a single price without knowing your unique situation. - [About Us](https://www.sellercpa.com/about-us/): Founded by Steven Freshour, CPA, in 2019, The Seller CPA was built for 7-figure ecommerce founders who want more than just a bookkeeper. We help ecommerce entrepreneurs master their finances, reduce taxes, and scale with confidence. - [Book A Call](https://www.sellercpa.com/schedule/): Interested in becoming a monthly bookkeeping or annual tax client? Book a new client intro call. We’ll have a 20 minute call to learn more about your business and see if our services are a good fit. - [Contact Us](https://www.sellercpa.com/contact-us/): If you are interested in becoming a new client, the best way to get in touch with us is to book an appointment for a new client intro call. Many sellers have questions about sales tax, which we do not handle as a stand-alone service. Please read this article if you have questions about sales tax.