Birth of an Android App!

[ichisato]

Well, I'm only 16, I don't pay taxes :|

Also, thank you guys, I probably will make it free(with ads)

How much do I make off of them though? (Isn't it payed per click?)

Also, some of the money was going to the team, some for myself.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by ichisato

Well, I'm only 16, I don't pay taxes :|

Paying taxes has nothing to do with age, but has to do with income and whether your parents claim you as a dependent (they probably do). More then likely, if you receive any money from your app, you will have to file a tax return, even though you will likely not have to pay taxes on it, unless you make several thousand dollars. You should consult with your parents and their tax adviser.

I'm not sure how the android market is set up, but they may even be reporting the payments they make to you to the IRS, which means it would be really easy for the IRS to know you didn't file a return.

I also read recently that some cities are requiring that people who sell apps have a business license. You should become familiar with the business license requirements for your city.

If that sounds like too much work, you could either make it a completely free app (earning income from ads may be the same thing from selling the app), or set something up from the team or school so that they receive the money, since they probably already have everything set up for taxes.

[Jon Jack]

On top of what Joe said, don't be so concerned with making money right now. You're probably fairly new to software development. Use this app as a learning experience to sharpen and refine your skills.

[ichisato]

Ah, I see. I've only been programming for a few years now, so yeah, It would make a pretty good learning experience rather than a fund raiser... hm.

So, now I am in a pickle. Hahaha.

Any suggestions on how I could get myself out of this?
And well, the Checkout acct. is signed under my parent's name, but the money goes to my student checking account.

I am definitely considering using adSense instead off charging $1 but I have to figure out the legality of that as well.

Hm.

[ATannahill]

I suggest you do the same thing as one of my co-workers. Let your app go for free and just get name recognizition.

Once you have that and some programming experience you will be able to sell apps. Some companies might try to hire you to make apps for them.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

Once you have that and some programming experience you will be able to sell apps. Some companies might try to hire you to make apps for them.

And with apps becoming more and more common these days, that's definitely a good goal to strive for.

[Zach O]

Can we get some pictures?

Also (just curious) did write it in Java, or did you use app inventor? I don't know if app inventor is powerful enough to do what you have, since I program for iOS and not Android, but the concept of being able to create apps via an intuitive interface is a cool idea.

[ichisato]

Originally Posted by Zach O

Can we get some pictures?

Also (just curious) did write it in Java, or did you use app inventor? I don't know if app inventor is powerful enough to do what you have, since I program for iOS and not Android, but the concept of being able to create apps via an intuitive interface is a cool idea.

Nah, I programmed it in java.
I don't believe there is an 'app inventor' for android.
I mean, there's an interface "viewer"/form designer styled thing but that just (poorly) writes xml for you.

[AustinSchuh]

Originally Posted by ichisato

I don't believe there is an 'app inventor' for android.

There is. http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by ichisato

Nah, I programmed it in java.
I don't believe there is an 'app inventor' for android.
I mean, there's an interface "viewer"/form designer styled thing but that just (poorly) writes xml for you.

There is (Austin posted it above me), but for the purposes of this app, you're better off writing it the way you did. The App Inventor is a bit limited in what it can do, though it is very cool nonetheless.

[ichisato]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

There is (Austin posted it above me), but for the purposes of this app, you're better off writing it the way you did. The App Inventor is a bit limited in what it can do, though it is very cool nonetheless.

I saw :C but, Really?
It's just my opinion, but I hate things like that >_<.
Kinda takes away from the glory of being a programmer (Lol, conceit), although, it is limited... and doesnt "allow for much logic" (yeah, i googled it).

[synth3tk]

Eh, it's a great place to start for those that aren't programmers. I first learned PHP/HTML/CSS by playing around with forum and CMS software. Same thing can happen with App Inventor.

As I stated, you're better off just programming it in your IDE/whatever. By the way, I'm not a fan of GUI programming either.

[ichisato]

Originally Posted by synth3tk

Eh, it's a great place to start for those that aren't programmers. I first learned PHP/HTML/CSS by playing around with forum and CMS software. Same thing can happen with App Inventor.

As I stated, you're better off just programming it in your IDE/whatever. By the way, I'm not a fan of GUI programming either.

QFT!

ALSO, THE APP IS NOW FREE - I talked to the owner of TBA and he didn't mind, but he did give some good points, and I've decided to make it free .

The updates/new features are still promised!

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by ichisato

I am definitely considering using adSense instead off charging $1 but I have to figure out the legality of that as well.

If your parents collect the revenue, then they can do whatever they want with it, such as give it to you.

However, do consider that your app essentially takes TBA, takes their ads off, and replaces them with your own. I would definitely talk to their development team and make sure that's okay.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by ichisato

Well, I'm only 16, I don't pay taxes :|

You will get a 1099 (or W2, or something like that) from Google. It would be a mistake to think you didn't need to at least file that form. Plus you would pay taxes if you gross over a certain amount in income, regardless of age. The IRS doesn't want parents laundering money through their children, thus even children have to pay taxes [after a certain amount].

Possibly a more relevant point though: I wonder if it's even legal for a sub-18 year old to officially post an app for purchase and receive money for it since you're technically not legally liable for any contract until you're 18. If it's your parents' cell phone plan, and the app is posted under that, then your parents may be liable for the taxes instead of you. I'm sure Google has something about that in their Terms of Service, so I'd read up on that if I were you.

I'm not knocking your app, entrepreneurial spirit, or business plan; rather I'm simply pointing out things you need to make sure are covered.