Amazon, sales tax?

[Changeling]

I ordered a new Microwave from Amazon, when I checked out I was charged sales tax (my state, 6 percent). First time I paid that. Is this something new? They don't have a store in Maryland so how did this happen?

 

[mikecr]

Every store on earth is potentially merchandising with Amazon(Like Ebay).
Soon, state taxes with internet purchases won't be hit & miss, but just like mailorder.

 

[JohnHenry]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-amazon-jobs-20150730-story.html

 

[Larryh128]

Just the tip of the iceberg, the feds want businesses to report how many $$ in sales went to each state. Guaranteed they are going to try & have a federal tax to cover these internet sales.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Its driving them crazy not being able to tax internet stuff like they want to

 

[Preacher]

It's been going on in NYS for a while now....

 

[potatoe]

I ordered a new Microwave from Amazon, when I checked out I was charged sales tax (my state, 6 percent). First time I paid that. Is this something new? They don't have a store in Maryland so how did this happen?

I believe they have a distribution store in Baltimore.

 

[bdale]

If it's drop shipped from your state or they have a distribution you pay tax.

 

[DeltaBravo]

I always check to see whether it's "Sold by and shipped by Amazon" - if it is, I pay tax. But, you can always find another vendor in the "X new from X$" section and maybe avoid the tax. Usually turns out to be cheaper if there's free shipping.

Dennis

 

[JRS]

Purchases from Amazon.com are subject to taxes in the following states:

Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

 

[MGYSGT]

Join the Amazon Prime. You get free shipping. Usually make out on the final price. Maybe that will offset the taxes you are paying. I think it's about $90 a year for a prime account. Plus you get a butt load of movies for free if you have the Fire Stick for your TV. It works for us. We do a lot of internet shopping.

 

[OldManTA]

Folks,
Regardless of whether or not Amazon, or any other online merchant, deducts sales tax you are liable for a sales or "use" tax on the purchase of an item. I suggest you look it up on your respective state website. If you are following the letter of the law you are required to declare those items that you had shipped to you for which no tax was collected when you file your state taxes. But, as I said, don't believe me. Look it up or ask a CPA in your state. Another day in Paradise!
Tom Alves

PS: If you buy something off this site from somebody out of state you are probably liable for tax so check it out.

 

[Changeling]

Thanks to all, there was some good advice given and I appreciate it.

 

[tmwinds]

Folks,
Regardless of whether or not Amazon, or any other online merchant, deducts sales tax you are liable for a sales or "use" tax on the purchase of an item. I suggest you look it up on your respective state website. If you are following the letter of the law you are required to declare those items that you had shipped to you for which no tax was collected when you file your state taxes. But, as I said, don't believe me. Look it up or ask a CPA in your state. Another day in Paradise!
Tom Alves

PS: If you buy something off this site from somebody out of state you are probably liable for tax so check it out.

Exactly right. If you are not declaring and paying the tax on internet purchases you are breaking the law in every state. The penalty is severe, ask me how I know.

 

[Changeling]

If anyone thinks I would be upset by getting away with NOT paying any tax you would be very mistaken. Everyone is getting taxed to death in Maryland!!!!!!!!!

 

[rkittine]

Technically you are even supposed to self report and self pay the sales tax to your state if you received something sent to you without sales tax. I have had a lot of things taxed that I was not really expecting tax on, but Amazon and eBay add it before you fully check out. As long as the company has any registered business address in your state they have to charge. Can just be headquarters offices, distribution or a retail outlet.

I have two big discount photo stores in walking distance of my apartment. B&H Photo and Adorama. Adorama has a warehouse in New Jersey and I learned ordering something and having it shipped to a friend in New Jersey didn't help me and I ended up paying both the sales tax (New Jersey's) and shipping. Next purchase was for a professional camera and accessories like buying a custom bench rest gun and the shipping was less than $50.00 where the tax would have been over a $1,000.00. Shop and learn.

Bob

 

[hogpatrol]

If anyone thinks I would be upset by getting away with NOT paying any tax you would be very mistaken. Everyone is getting taxed to death in Maryland!!!!!!!!!

And it isn't going to get any better.

More than 18,600 tax filers left Maryland with $4.2 billion in adjusted gross income from 2007 – O’Malley’s first year as governor — through 2012

 

[DennisH]

Just the tip of the iceberg, the feds want businesses to report how many $$ in sales went to each state. Guaranteed they are going to try & have a federal tax to cover these internet sales.

I am sure they will make it a nightmare for Vendors!

Dennis

 

[Skeet69]

If they have a physical presence in your state, you'll pay tax... see post # 10
Mike B

 

[Jammer Six]

Breaking the law is breaking the law. Speeding, internet sales tax, drugs.

What amuses me is that the same people who will happily "avoid" sales tax get all ramped up over what a "criminal" someone who was born south of an imaginary line is when they break an immigration law.

If you get all ramped up over illegal immigrants, pay all your internet sales tax before you say a word. I think it even makes a point of the first stone in your bible.