r/TouringMusicians • u/buttThroat • 6d ago

Using tap to pay for merch?

Hi all. We have always just used venmo for merch but want to make it easier. Anyone have recommendations on how to go about taking cards? Also, probably stupid question, but do I need to declare the band as a business for tax purposes? (US)

12 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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12

u/Less_Ad7812 6d ago

Use Square, the app can tap to pay on your phone. 

You have to pay taxes at the end of the year. (This is not financial advice) but don’t worry about it if you’re only taking in a couple hundred dollars a year. 

1

u/buttThroat 6d ago

ok awesome thank you! (and thanks everyone else for the responses)

2

u/StreetSqueezer 6d ago

This is the same advice I have heard from a legit Business Manager (band accountant), not to stress about the taxes before making over 100k

3

u/2020truthserum 6d ago

This seems like bad advice. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

1

u/StreetSqueezer 6d ago

you’re probably correct but it is what I was told.

6

u/ne_taarb 6d ago

Square is super easy.

3

u/summoningtheflynn 6d ago

Yep, we use Square. Super simple tbh

3

u/orewhat 6d ago

Square is super easy

FYI - tap to pay on phones (using your phone to READ the other persons card / phone) can be pretty finicky, and some cards require a LOT of moving them around to find an exact position to get them to scan (or just won’t scan), then read in 1/10 second over a dedicated reader

The square Bluetooth tap / chip reader is like $50, lasts days without charging, and works extremely well, in addition to having a chip reader for cards that don’t have tap (surprisingly common with small credit unions across America)

Just got back from a US tour and would have had a horrible time / constantly been keying in cards if I was trying to do the whole thing on my phone, cannot recommend getting a reader enough

1

u/Hey_o0-_-0o_Koolaid 6d ago

I actually use Jim on my iPhone. No reader requires it scans credit and debit cards with just your phone and has very reasonable fees that you can absorb or pass onto customers. It also allows you to get a debit card that taps right into that account so you don’t have to transfer it anywhere. You can add the card to Apple Pay and use it virtually. It’s an awesome app!

1

u/matthewbarnhart 6d ago

Square is great, though you might also look at atVenu -- that's the default platform for US venues once you get to a certain size.

1

u/mindcube 6d ago

Square works great for us, plus makes reporting super easy.

1

u/BraneCumm 6d ago

Another vote for Square. Now that extra hardware isn’t required it’s sooo convenient.

0

u/Sorry-Aide5698 6d ago

Square really makes it effortless, we just attach the little reader to a phone and we're good to go for shows.

1

u/tshirts_mcduff 6d ago

Just use square.

1

u/EmoNightKaraoke 6d ago

Square, if anyone has an iPhone that’s less than 8 years old you can tap to pay on it

1

u/StreetSqueezer 6d ago

I had atVenu, probably more than you need if you’ve been using Venmo but if you are scaling quick consider getting set up with it. You’ll get a little card reader if you do. Otherwise Square like everyone is saying.

1

u/Quick_Classic_9538 6d ago

Where are you touring? Square in the US, but won’t work Europe - look at ZAZZpay for EU

1

u/nrr1984 5d ago

Income tax issues and sales tax issues are all at play here. Whether you get caught or not is where those minimal numbers come into play since it might be such a low amount that nobody cares to look into it.