How does tax work (I’m a part time seller)

Hi AmazonSeller!

I’m a part time seller living in the US. I’m planning to partner with a friend who lives in China, to sell their manufacture’s products on Amazon US. Currently we plan to use their company’s paperwork and permit as proof of the business account (but this can chance due to tax).

Since I also have a full time income, does Amazon income count as income which I need to report on top of my W2, or is it better to be separate business? I also don’t want to pay my partner the 50% before-tax profit, and then pay tax for both of us. I also want to avoid opening a business in the US, before we proof this product can sell in the US.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!