29.4.08

A lesson in taxes


Sailing - work-in-progress, originally uploaded by -syko-.

Sometimes I would just like to sail away to a place with no bureaucracy... My bookkeeper called me today just to let me know that I need to charge VAT (sales tax) not only from my national customers, but also from my customers in the European Union. This means that EU residents will be charged 22% sales tax (yes, that's what we pay here in Finland) when they buy something from my shop. Sorry to bore you with this, but some etsy sellers within the EU might need this information too, if they have been as ignorant as I have been about this until now! To celebrate this very unofficial tax day I have reduced the price of some of the items in my shop. All the house scarves left are now 22,50 USD (+ tax if you live in the EU ;)

The little boat is a detail of a mini quilt that is going to be displayed at the exhibition I will have with my mum this Summer. But before I quilt it I will order some postcards of it. I hope to have a new little Summer card collection to offer next week. Here is another quilt/card to be with a herring theme!

20 comments:

kristin said...

i love how you did the waves here. i really get the sensation of a rough ride for that little boat.

bummer about the EU taxes...hope it won't affect business. but as for the scarves, better get one before it's too late ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is a hefty tax! Love your waves and boat, and thanks for the heads up on the pika package. What a score that would be to be the winner. And yes you are such a trend setter!

Yummers! said...

I love the boat quilt-to-be. It's so adorable. BUT... my favorite is your fish photo on flickr. Please make post cards of it or prints to sell. I'd love a print!! You're my favorite creative person these days.
Hugs,
Joni

LizzieJane said...

Loving your little boat and those beautiful waves.
It would be so nice if we as crafters could just make our things to sell without all the bureaucracy, it is such a pain!
Anyway have a lovely crafty day.

Mrs Moog said...

I love your mini-quilts - the boat and waves are fab and I really love those herring!!

The news about the tax isn't great - I do hope it doesn't affect your business.

xxx

Cathy said...

Your quilt is so lovely - this one really caught my eye.

jacquie said...

Oh my I love this. My hubby and I are sailors (novices). So reminds me of our sailing time on the lake. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

wow, your blog is full of so much creativity and inspiration.

rachelmp said...

Your little quilt is just lovely. That is a lot of tax - we pay 10% in Australia. The boat looks just right on your waves!

painted fish studio said...

i love the new quilt, and i just love that you and your mom are exhibiting together. i look forward to seeing the postcards, especially of the fish! :)

Amanda Jean said...

i love this little quilt. and oy, 22% tax is a lot. (I guess I ought not be complaining about the taxes that I pay!)

ruby-crowned kinglette said...

your boat is wonderful... and the fishes over on flickr are too...
i am loving every single thing you are doing!

nathalie bearden said...

so they say there are to certain things in life.....death and taxes! when you find this perfect taxless place to live let me know. i will buy a house right beside yours! and this is for me to learn to stop complainting. our sales tax is 6.85%....compared to your hefty one it is a bliss! your package will be in the mail tomorrow! i hope you like it!

Janet said...

That is sooooo gorgeous! I want to paint it! i met someone in the gallery who found me through your blog...crazy! She just lives a few miles from me but found me from Finland! Love the internet. i hate VAT by the way, it sucks! xx

Mitsy / ArtMind said...

Hm, maybe I should figure that out too? I hate doing bookkeeping - so boring! Love your new sailboat! :)

sUz said...

heLLo!

Love your little sailboat in the waves! It will make the most perfect vacation postcard!

iN jOy,
sUz

isabel f. said...

i just love this!!!
hugs Isabel

tiel said...

horrible horrible tax man!

IamSusie said...

Holy mackerel! 22% sales tax! I thought we had it bad here with 9.7% sales tax.

That wee boat sailing on a whimsical sea is adorable.

tiel said...

i love love love the waves K.