Comments on: WTF?! All Goods Shipped to NY to Be Taxed

By: Zack

Zack — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:27:10 +0000

@RACinWNY: It’s not the problem of sales tax, so much as it’s that NY is charging an extra tax on top of whatever fees/taxes the online retailer may or may not be paying to their home state/country, if I’m reading it right. It’s one thing to charge extra for businesses within NY, it’s another to tax those who have customers who happen to live within the state.

By: Chowder

Chowder — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:30:23 +0000

I agree with ya Dan…I live in NY and am a student…I buy all my text books online cause they are way cheaper online. It seems very illegal as it’s crossing state lines and seems it would have to be a Federal case than state. We have so many freaking taxes at all like bedding taxes, sin taxes…etc…I tax NY

By: RACinWNY

RACinWNY — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:25:46 +0000

I’m one who has shopped via catalog and then, when it first became possible, the internet. I buy 99.5% of all my non-grocery items that way. MANY places charge me sales tax and that’s OK with me because it’s the law (not that I particularly LIKE it but it is what it is). If I do shop locally then I’m charged sales tax, so what’s the difference? And yes, I’m one who is just honest enough that I do pay the sales tax on items I’ve purchased online where the company doesn’t charge me upfront. So you really can’t scream about this. The online shopping world has gotten away with something for some time and now NY state, and others, are starting to put a stop to it. If you really hate this then get it in gear and do something about NY state and your county, and some town, sales tax laws! IMO you’re just pissing and moaning because you can no longer easily break the law.

By: JR

JR — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:30:50 +0000

Guess who will no longer sell to NY???

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:11:03 +0000

I would have said the biggest WTF ever but really we have this in the UK, have had for the past oh too many years!

What happens in the UK most goods and services (some are except e.g. cake, baby food), are taxed at 17.5%. So if I buy my DVD from Amazon or ASDA/Wallmart I still pay the 17.5% VAT. This is paid at the time of sale and not in any tax returns.

So really its no different to what’s been going on in the UK for many years. We just call it VAT.

By: Mibrilane

Mibrilane — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:52:46 +0000

Well, the large problem here is that more than a few states that are supported by sales taxes are losing revenue to online sales of products. The only substantive difference between buying something at the physical store and buying it online, if the product ends up delivered to the same place, is that often one can avoid paying state sales taxes on online purchases.

Taxes should be collected where the business transaction is conducted – and in the case of online sales, that’s wherever the person using the computer to purchase the product is receiving the final goods.

I should indicate that I happen to work for The Man.

By: Rager

Rager — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:48:31 +0000

Interstate commerce, anyone?

By: hitsuji

hitsuji — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:58:35 +0000

@Brad.
I could imagine some small businesses refusing to ship to NY just to avaid this hastle.
It would put out a massive burden on businesses if this ends up running throughout the US. Would prob cost the consumer a small bit more, and would open up a new market in the US for online payment services that specifically managed state specific taxes. However creating a unifirm tax system throughout all states would definately ease such a burden.

By: Brad

Brad — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:04:35 +0000

If it replaces the usage tax then you shouldn’t be upset, because you should already be paying that tax to the state.

By: steve

steve — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:54:56 +0000

Dan,

I’ve been looking for an accountant, is he really good? If so can you pass his information to me via email, I am tired of accountants who don’t their sh*t