Stop The Amway Tool Scam Author Scott Johnson and Peter Mingils talk about the sudden and immediate closing of the Multilevel Marketing Company Modere, and then the Missouri House Bill 1120 on Pyramid Selling, and the Sovereign Citizen defense of BINT Founders
You can see more of what Scott Johnson has on https://www.facebook.com/stoptheamwaytoolscam
One question constantly that needs clarification for the anti MLM Community is whether an MLM Distributor owns a business or not. Here's the answer:
Yes, the IRS generally considers an MLM (multi-level marketing) distributor to be operating a business if they are actively engaged in selling products or recruiting others for profit. The IRS treats MLM distributors as self-employed individuals, typically classifying their activities as a sole proprietorship unless they've set up a formal business entity like an LLC or corporation.
Key points:
Income Reporting: Distributors must report earnings (from sales, commissions, or bonuses) on their tax return, usually via Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business).
Expenses: They can deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses, like marketing materials, travel, or inventory, subject to IRS rules.
Independent Contractor Status: Most MLM distributors are considered independent contractors, not employees, meaning they're responsible for self-employment taxes.
However, the IRS evaluates each case based on factors like profit motive, time spent, and business-like operations. If the activity is deemed a hobby rather than a business (e.g., minimal effort, consistent losses), deductions may be limited. Always consult a tax professional for specifics.
is an mlm distributor considered a business owner by the IRS?
Yes, an MLM distributor is generally considered a business owner by the IRS if they actively engage in selling products or recruiting others with a profit motive. The IRS typically classifies them as self-employed, operating as a sole proprietor unless they've formed a separate business entity (e.g., LLC or corporation). They report income and expenses on Schedule C and are responsible for self-employment taxes as independent contractors. However, if the IRS views the activity as a hobby (e.g., minimal effort or consistent losses), it may not qualify as a business. Consult a tax professional for clarity.
Modere, a multi-level marketing (MLM) company specializing in clean wellness, beauty, personal care, and nutritional products, announced its abrupt closure on April 11, 2025, after 23 years in operation. The announcement was made via a brief statement on its website, expressing gratitude to customers and distributors but providing no specific reason for the shutdown. This lack of transparency left its global community of over 1 million customers and numerous distributors in shock and confusion.
Key Details Surrounding the Closure:
Background: Founded in 2002, Modere marketed products like Liquid BioCell Collagen and Curb, a dietary supplement launched in September 2024, emphasizing clean-label, chemical-free formulations. It operated in multiple countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, and Europe, using an MLM model where distributors earned commissions through sales and recruitment.Sudden Impact:Distributors and customers were caught off guard, with no prior warning. Social media posts indicate ongoing product promotions occurred right up to the announcement, amplifying the surprise.Reports suggest distributors were not paid commissions owed, and employees, including corporate staff, were also left unpaid on what was supposed to be payday, raising ethical concerns.Products in transit were reportedly the only ones to be fulfilled, leaving many orders unprocessed.Speculated Reasons: While Modere provided no official explanation, speculation includes:Financial Pressures: Potential dwindling sales or unsustainable financial practices, though no bankruptcy filing was confirmed.Regulatory Issues: Modere faced scrutiny in the past, including a 2024 Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council recommendation to modify certain health and earnings claims, which may have signaled broader compliance challenges.Leadership and Distributor Exodus: Some sources noted a departure of top distributors in early 2024 and legal disputes with former leaders, like co-founder Justin Prince, which could have destabilized operations.Community Reaction:Customers and distributors expressed disbelief and frustration online, with some calling the closure unethical due to the lack of notice and unfulfilled financial obligations.Anti-MLM communities viewed the collapse as indicative of broader issues within the MLM industry, such as unsustainable business models reliant on recruitment over retail sales.Broader Context: Modere's closure aligns with challenges faced by other retail and MLM businesses in 2025, including store shutdowns by companies like JoAnn Stores and Forever 21, suggesting possible economic pressures impacting the sector.Implications for MLM Distributors as Business Owners:
Given your earlier questions about MLM distributors and IRS classification, Modere's closure highlights risks for distributors considered business owners:
Financial Loss: Distributors, treated as self-employed sole proprietors by the IRS, may face significant losses from unsold inventory, unpaid commissions, and unrecovered investments (e.g., enrollment kits costing up to $499.99).Tax Implications: Income from Modere (reported on Schedule C) stops, but distributors can still deduct legitimate business expenses from 2025, provided they meet IRS criteria for a profit-driven business rather than a hobby. Losses from inventory may also be deductible, but this requires careful documentation.Legal Recourse: Some former distributors are exploring legal options to recover losses, though no major lawsuits have been confirmed as of now_ the closure date.Business Model Critique: The sudden closure fuels criticism of MLM models, where distributors, despite being "business owners," have little control over corporate decisions that can abruptly end their operations, unlike traditional businesses.As of April 13, 2025, Modere's website remains down, showing only the closure statement. No further official updates have been provided, and the lack of clarity continues to spark speculation. The closure has prompted renewed debate about the sustainability of MLM businesses, with some distributors reportedly moving to other MLMs, while others are reevaluating the risks of such ventures.
If you're a former Modere distributor or seeking specific tax advice related to this closure, I recommend consulting a tax professional to navigate potential deductions or losses. Would you like me to dig deeper into any specific aspect, like tax implications or MLM industry trends?
Next we speak about the idea that BINT (Blessings in no Time) Founders are trying to use the Sovereign Citizen argument as a defense.
The sovereign citizen movement is a loosely organized ideology that asserts individuals can declare themselves independent of government authority, rejecting the legitimacy of laws, taxes, and regulations. Adherents believe they are not subject to statutes, courts, or law enforcement, claiming a "natural" or "common law" status that supersedes legal systems.
Rejection of Government Authority: Sovereign citizens argue that governments (especially the U.S. federal government) are illegitimate or operate as corporations rather than sovereign entities. They claim laws only apply with their consent.Legal Misinterpretations: They often cite outdated or misinterpreted legal documents (e.g., the Magna Carta, Uniform Commercial Code, or maritime law) to justify their stance, believing these grant them exemption from taxes, licenses, or criminal laws."Strawman" Theory: A common belief is that the government creates a fictional legal entity (the "strawman") at birth, represented by a capitalized name on documents like birth certificates. They claim rejecting this entity frees them from legal obligations.Self-Proclaimed Sovereignty: Adherents may declare themselves "sovereign" through documents or pseudo-legal filings, renouncing citizenship or contracts with the state (e.g., driver's licenses, Social Security numbers).Tax Defiance: Many refuse to pay taxes, arguing the IRS lacks jurisdiction, which often leads to legal conflicts.Filing fraudulent documents (e.g., fake liens or trusts) to clog legal systems or retaliate against officials.Using pseudo-legal jargon in court, claiming judges or police lack authority.Refusing cooperation with law enforcement, sometimes escalating to confrontations.The IRS explicitly rejects sovereign citizen claims, viewing their tax avoidance tactics as frivolous. The agency lists such arguments (e.g., taxes are voluntary or only apply to government employees) as grounds for penalties or criminal charges. Courts consistently uphold the IRS's authority, and sovereign citizens often face fines, liens, or imprisonment for tax evasion or fraud.
The movement has no legal standing; U.S. courts universally dismiss sovereign citizen arguments as baseless.It's associated with financial scams, as some "gurus" sell fraudulent schemes to followers.Law enforcement flags the movement as a domestic extremism concern due to occasional violent incidents.While rooted in distrust of government, the ideology's rejection of legal systems creates practical issues, especially for adherents entangled in tax disputes or criminal cases. It contrasts sharply with MLM distributor status (per your earlier questions), as the IRS clearly defines distributors as taxable business owners under federal law, a reality sovereign citizens dispute.
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