04/26/2025
Happy Weekend everyone. The Cottage In Hinckley has not had a real business post for several months. I didn’t forget about my customers and going forward I have a few announcements. This past August, The Cottage In Hinckley had a Sales tax audit. I felt I had nothing to fear and handed over my records to the auditor. A few weeks later I realized I had a few items I should have charged sales tax on and didn’t, bought items from other states and did not pay tax on that either. Initially the fine, penalty, interest was a small fee, but when the final audit came out; The Cottage In Hinckley was fined, penalized, and accrued interest to the sum of $6500, and growing in interest daily. I paid the fine and started the process of appeal. Since last fall I have been my own legal advocate. Yesterday I settled with the State of Minnesota for a fraction of the fees that I was originally charged. The lesson from all of this is, that The Cottage In Hinckley needs to simplify, cut services, and instead of everything; have a few items.
The EAV scanning service that I have done for years will no longer be offered after October. With EAV scanning gone there will be no need for supplements to sell. My naturopathy business will still offer foot detoxing, sauna bath, halotherapy (salt), and red light therapy. These services are not subject to sales tax.
Massage services ended nearly a year ago, and will not be offered again as they are subject to sales tax. I will however be doing Rain Drop Therapy. Since that is not massage; it is not subject to sales tax.
The items I had for sale in my shop such as essential oils, Thieves cough drops, cards, jewelry are gone as they would be subject to sales tax.
Fontanel Farm bear fat soap will still be for sale, but only online and offered in the shops I have product at. I encourage all of you to shop at www.TheCottageInHinckley.com for bear fat soap. The selection changes often.
The high spot in this drama has been the nail trimming. I started out my little nail trimming career like I did the soap, naturopathy, and cottage shop; sell a few items or do a few services. When this audit came I was initially fined for nail trims, and thankfully came to find a group of other nail trimmers who make a living at trimming toe nails. They have been helpful, supportive, and see the world the same as I do. “Everyone does better when we all do better”. Paul Wellstone. This group of woman have taught me how to grow nail trimming, legally stand together in using our combined resources addressing the Minnesota Board of Nursing, State of Minnesota IRS.
My little white shop with pink shutters started out very different twelve, years ago. The building /shop still make the soap, trim nails in the office and offer non taxable services. I want to thank you for your past support and thank you for your continued support.
Marybeth
Get started on the path to health!
