iOS Starting on the App Store at 15 - question about agreements

[0dev]

As the thread title says, I want to start on the App Store, but I'm not sure about the contract to make the developer account. I've been told I need to be 18, so I wanted to ask if I could get a parent to start the account on my behalf and still get the £££ into my account?

I assume it's legal too, since I can go into a phone shop right now and get a mobile phone on contract if a parent did it on my behalf?

 

[drf1229]

You will need to purchase the certificate and make the developer's account in a parent's name. I'm actually in the same situation as you, I'm only 13, so most of my app info is under my dad's name. However, you do get the freedom of choosing your company name. What you might need to do is set up an international bank account to receive money from apple. It is perfectly legal, as apple does not care who actually makes the app, just who submits it.

 

[0dev]

You will need to purchase the certificate and make the developer's account in a parent's name. I'm actually in the same situation as you, I'm only 13, so most of my app info is under my dad's name. However, you do get the freedom of choosing your company name. What you might need to do is set up an international bank account to receive money from apple. It is perfectly legal, as apple does not care who actually makes the app, just who submits it.

For a company name, don't you need to actually need to register a limited company? I want to do it as a sole trader at this stage, so under all the apps in the store will it say my dad's (for example) name under the creator?

 

[PBG4 Dude]

For a company name, don't you need to actually need to register a limited company? I want to do it as a sole trader at this stage, so under all the apps in the store will it say my dad's (for example) name under the creator?

The apps will be in your dad's name. What will also happen is your dad will be responsible for paying any income taxes on revenue generated from app sales so you'll want to document every expense so you'll be ready to write it off when tax season comes around.

 

[0dev]

The apps will be in your dad's name. What will also happen is your dad will be responsible for paying any income taxes on revenue generated from app sales so you'll want to document every expense so you'll be ready to write it off when tax season comes around.

So they'll be responsible for taxes even if the money is going into a bank account owned by me?

 

[PBG4 Dude]

So they'll be responsible for taxes even if the money is going into a bank account owned by me?

I'm saying you'll need to talk to a tax advisor. I'm not from your country so I don't know what your tax laws are.

 

[0dev]

I'm saying you'll need to talk to a tax advisor. I'm not from your country so I don't know what your tax laws are.

Fair enough, I'm actually asking about this on a business forum now so I'll get advice about tax laws from there

 

[drf1229]

For a company name, don't you need to actually need to register a limited company? I want to do it as a sole trader at this stage, so under all the apps in the store will it say my dad's (for example) name under the creator?

Under the apps in the store it will say your company name

 

[0dev]

Under the apps in the store it will say your company name

I just looked at your app, and it seems that there are two names mentioned... I assume you put your name in the company name section?

 

[drf1229]

Correct

 

[0dev]

Correct

OK

Can you tell me how you've gotten around the tax problem? That's the only thing that's confusing for me now, and I'm a little worried that if my parents have to do the taxes for it, they won't let me do this

 

[dejo]

Can you tell me how you've gotten around the tax problem?

There is no "getting around" the tax problem. That would be tax evasion. Take PBG4 Dude's advice: seek a tax advisor!

 

[0dev]

There is no "getting around" the tax problem. That would be tax evasion. Take PBG4 Dude's advice: seek a tax advisor!

I didn't mean get around the tax, I meant sort the problems out reguarding who pays them etc.

Seeing a tax adviser costs money, so before I resort to that, I thought I'd try asking someone who is in the same situation what he did.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I didn't mean get around the tax, I meant sort the problems out reguarding who pays them etc.

Seeing a tax adviser costs money, so before I resort to that, I thought I'd try asking someone who is in the same situation what he did.

He may not be from your country though. This is why seeking country-specific advice is so important. If the bank account is in your name, that's probably a great first step.

 

[drf1229]

Unfortunately, my app hasn't gotten enough sales for me to make any sort of money (mostly because its free), so I'm not sure about taxes, the only cost I've needed to get around so far was paying for the certificate.

 

[0dev]

An update: after talking to an accountant, it turns out my parent would be acting as a "nominee", so as long as it's me who's getting the money I'm the one liable for taxes.

 

[0dev]

drf1229, I just installed your app and had a play, and I think it's really good! I'll be getting addicted to this I can tell!

 

[drf1229]

drf1229, I just installed your app and had a play, and I think it's really good! I'll be getting addicted to this I can tell!

Thanks for downloading my app. I'm glad you like it! New updates are coming out as soon as itunes connect employees get off their "winter break"