As many small business owners recognize, eBay is one of the best, most reliable ways to make those quarterly numbers.

When it comes to business tools, no other internet resource gives the average small business person access to the global marketplace of buyers and consumers that eBay does.

From entertainment product to design or computer goods, eBay will help you search out and entice the all-important, and oftentimes frustratingly elusive, customer base.

And in the case of fledgling small business owners, this is especially true - and especially valuable!

So it’s no wonder that so many millions of people rely on eBay as either a supplemental or primary source of income.

Of course, there are fees associated with doing business on eBay.

But they are far, far less than the cost of trying to market one’s business solo.

So it’s somewhat surprising to learn that the IRS is being forced to consider cracking down on eBay sellers for not claiming the income they generate through the online auction powerhouse.

Apparently, many businesses don’t realize that they have to claim this revenue.

Or are simply taking advantage of the fact that there is currently very little IRS oversight for online sales through eBay.

Either way, there’s no excuse.

There is a cost of doing business, both online or off. It encompasses all the expenses your vendors, your infrastructure and your marketing plan require to keep your product in-stock, and your electricity turned on.

It also includes the cost of being ethical, keeping things above board, and playing by the rules. And these are costs the entrepreneur with integrity - the merchant in it for the long run - always put at the top of their list.

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Your regular dose of entreprenurial inspiration, served up fresh right here at Grow My Business. And for all your small and home business software needs, check out Blue Squad and Avanquest, the company that brings you the biggest software bang for your hard-earned business buck.