arthur Baum

just because a state doesn't collect the tax DOES NOT MEAN that a sales tax isn't due. in NY we have a "use tax." that means that if you use a product you'd better have the tax paid.

this is meant to catch those who try to skip on paying the tax.

art

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

Thank you for the tax class. Now, in what way is that germane to photography?

arthur Baum

many stores advertise that they don't collect tax. this is just a heads up

notnoBuddha

In general tax is not collected by a company unless they actually have a operation in the state where item is purchased. Now - if that is legal or not, or to what is the proper enforcement is very much up to debate. With many more sales done over the internet and state budgets hurting the smart money is betting you will see more collections in the near future. As to a NY use tax - I would be surprised if they could ever collect monies from one that used something in Iowa just because it was purchased in NY, but understand the logic of paying the tax for those that live there - the collecting and policing of such may be the tough part.

jplofvt Loc: Vermont

ok, its got nothing to do with photography, but what the heck. Personally speaking, if a company ships to a particular state that company should be legally compelled to collect the sales tax for that state, whether they have a physical presence or not in that state, these companies do have a bit of an unfair competitive advantage over brick and mortar competitors in the states to which they are shipping too. One thing I hear all the time from internet shoppers is "I don't have to pay sales tax", of course we're suppose to claim this on our taxes,,, yeah right like thats going to happen. So state coffers lose much needed tax revenue, commerce is commerce especially retail, as much as I hate government intervention in business, there needs to be a leveling of the playing field so that internet companies don't have that built in discount, of course if your state doesn't have sales tax, well thats just wonderfull. I'm sure someone will have an argument to this and thats fine. So back to photography,, take any good pictures lately.