[MissEdie]

Is anyone here on FR familiar with taxes that are applied to items purchased online?

[Texas Eagle]

Yes. Here in Californy, we pay tax on the shipping charge. Even for internet purchases.

But then, I'm not sure there is anything we aren't taxed for here in the People's Republic of California.

[stylin19a]

If your state only taxes goods and not services, you might have a complaint.

[Cementjungle]

Depending on the state and the nature of the items, there are cases where tax is computed on the total (including shipping). I have customers (web shopping sites) in CA who do charge that way for certain types of merchandise. The majority though, only apply tax to the net amount (before shipping).

When things are hand delivered the shipping tends to be taxable. Beyond that it becomes murky, and you'll get different answers from different state officials on the topic.

[Aggie Mama]

Most states tax the S & H.

[txroadkill]

yes. Some time ago they could not charge taxes if they were out of your state (no taxation without representation). Now, the states all figured out that they were losing a lot of tax revenue so they commissioned software companies to develop software to tax their citizens at there home rates for out of state purchases. It’s amazing what the government can accomplish when they set their minds to it.

[Vicki]

We collect taxes only for online sales within the state of Washington.

[Aliska]

I've bought a lot online (better deals). Only once have I had to pay sales tax that I can remember. That item was from Dell. Initially I didn't there, but they have a Dell outlet in my state, so they said they had to charge me sales tax. Make that twice. Once I bought something on ebay, and the seller lived in my state, so I paid state taxes on it. I don't know it it is right to tax on shipping though. I don't think I had to for that; the tax was figured on the sales total and shipping added last.

I bought some Christmas presents from Target online a couple years ago. Every state has one. I can't remember if I had to pay tax or not.

It is only a matter of time before all internet purchases will be taxed.

[SouthTexas]

It varies on where and what. Just had a camera repaired by Canon in Illinois. I’m in Texas and tax was applied before s/h.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Is anyone here on FR familiar with taxes that are applied do items purchased online?

It depends. if your state collects sales tax on S & H...then, yes.

If not, then no.

Online sales tax should be no different than what you are charged at a 'brick and mortar'.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Is anyone here on FR familiar with taxes that are applied do items purchased online?

It depends. if your state collects sales tax on S & H...then, yes.

If not, then no.

Online sales tax should be no different than what you are charged at a 'brick and mortar'.

[Caramelgal]

Sales tax laws are state specific and based on your state of residence where the goods are shipped to. You can probably find your state’s sales tax regulations on the web via your State Comptroller or Treasury Department’s website. I know in Maryland we are taxed on shipping and handling.

I did a lot of research on this topic both for work and as a treasurer of a not-for-profit literary org that also sold subscriptions to a quarterly magazine and books.

It used to be fairly simple in that a company or organization making sales out of state was not obligated to collect and remit sales tax to other states unless the company or organization had a “presence” in the other state, i.e. a store, office, or sales reps soliciting business in the other state. In other words, if I owned a store solely located and operating in Maryland and shipped the goods directly to your residence in PA, I would not charge you Maryland sales tax or PA sales tax. Technically though you should be remitting the PA sales tax yourself as “use tax” but “use tax” is rarely enforced on individuals as it is on companies.

The boom in internet sales muddied the waters quite a bit and states have been much more aggressive in their interpretation of what constitutes a “presence” in their state.

It’s become complicated and burdensome for companies to keep up with all the various state sales tax laws and mistakes happen but unless your purchase was a large one it may not be worth all the time and trouble….