TXYank Loc: Granbury, TX

I recently purchased a Canon Macro EF-L 100mm at my local camera store in Fort Worth. I could have bought it from Adorama for the same price, but of course I had to pay the Texas state sales tax (8.25% = $64). I know it sounds strange, but I am happy to pay this tax. I try to not see this tax as only a tax, but as an investment in our local community. While I do not believe that Adorama will go out of business without my business, I do believe that I have to be part of the responsibility to keep my Fort Worth camera store open. The sales tax keeps state running and the cost of lens helps employ the people at the camera store that in turn pays its own taxes to Fort Worth and to Texas.
Before I retired, I was a teacher for 33 years. While I did not live in those communities where I taught, I did try to do as much business as possible there. The food store, the hardware store, the clothing store, the jewelry and flower shops all got a portion of my pay. I did this because I wanted these merchants to continue supporting the schools. I made sure that I "casually" mentioned that I worked at the junior high or high school. I wanted them to know, even if it cost me a couple of bucks more, that I supported them as much as they supported the schools.
Quid pro quo.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Sounds like good trade off. No state or property tax. I should be so lucky. Long Isand and the state of Nyn has sales tax (almost 9%) local and State property taxes,as well as state income taxes. Even tolls on most bridges as well as roads. Welcome to NY-pay a tax.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

We pay property taxes in Tennessee. Goes to support the local school system. We have voted in favor of a higher sales tax rate in preference of no income taxes. We like it that way.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

No tax on food except fast food like McDonalds. The 13% is a combination of federal and provincial taxes.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

My wife's niece and her family live in Vancouver, Washington, across the river from Portland, Oregon. There is no income tax in Washington and no sales tax in Oregon. So they work in Washington and pay no income tax and cross the river into Oregon to purchase items and pay no sales tax.

The California Franchise Tax Board requests taxpayers to report on their state income tax returns any purchases they make from out-of-state catalogs or websites so the FTB call collect the sales or 'use' tax on those items. I wonder if anybody does it. Maybe other states with a sales tax do the same thing.

The Federal government allows taxpayers to deduct from Federal return the amount they pay for state income tax from their tax return if they itemize deductions on a Schedule A. In those states that have no income tax, the taxpayers have been allowed to deduct their actual sales tax paid if they have records or an estimated amount based on where in the state they live and the income they claim.

Mud2

Ah, Brown county and Roberts!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I suppose you are already aware of this but....

You know that, legally, you are still required to pay the sales tax in your state when the online vendor does not collect it.

So when someone says they are "saving" the sales tax by buying online, they are really saying they are committing a crime.

ronf78155 Loc: Seguin Texas

If you are a drug dealer you pocket ALL your money tax free, can get free medical coverage, get food stamps, but the risk is if you get caught you can go to prison where everything is free for a year or two

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

While I won't take a holier than thou attitude on this, technically you are required to pay state sales tax on items purchased on the internet even if the vendor does not collect them at time of purchase. Few people actually do it and state governments don't have the ability and infrastructure to track and collect these taxes. The federal government attempted to fix this loophole a couple of years ago, but the push back from both venders and customers was too great. As a result, with the shift of significant retail sales from brick and mortar stores to the internet, the states are losing billions of dollars in sales tax.

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

If you get caught it is sort of like getting a scholarship: room, board, books and tuition. I, however, would not want scholarship like that.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Every year, about this time of year, the subject of sales tax fills the forum. Those of you who are either pro, or con about States collecting sales tax on internet sales. I'd like to direct your eyes to the U.S. Constitution, where it deals with Interstate Commerce. To force the out of state merchants to pay sales tax, or collect sales tax for another state, it would take a amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

B

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

In the State of Washington, the tax code officially states that even when I purchase from B & H w/o paying sales tax, I am required to file a Use Tax Return and pay a rate equivalent to the sales tax rate.

Individuals probably neglect to do this, but businesses are audited for use tax reporting on a three year cycle.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Unfortunately there are no local camera stores where I live. So the only way I can get cameras or gear is thru online stores.

will

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Thank you, nuff said!

Djack41 Loc: Tennessee

Bill,

I am not sure you are wholly correct in regards to a constitutional amendment. The Commerce Clause restricts the states without sufficient nexus but the federal government can level the playing field by law.
Check out the proposed Marketplace Fairness Act. Unfortunately, it seems to have considerable support from both sides of the aisle.