Question about Tax on online buying

[CluelessSi]

Can anyone tell me the policy on tax for online buying?

Is there sales tax on everything and everywhere? like buy.com?

I want to buy the PS2 from buy.com but if they charge tax and shipping then it is the same price as going out now and buying.

[topane]

Most companies who take orders via the 'net don't charge sales tax. Internet shopping is treated like mail-order: if it's out-of-state, the store doesn't have to charge sales tax. Some companies do. Dell, for one, which pisses me off to no end. I was getting a couple of notebooks for my company and noticed the great price, but then they lumped tax on top of it. I argued with the sales rep and his manager, and ended up purchasing a different brand. I don't know why they charge it (they didn't a year or two ago), but most don't.
The issue was debated in Congress while Clinton was in office and they decided to let things stand as they were (keep it like mail-order). The issue has come up again, but they decided once again not to worry about it for the present.

[coleslaw]

Also, if there is a brick & mortar store in your state, they will charge you sales tax, such as Stables or Best Buy.

[TheLoneGunman]

It is basically whatever the store wants to do.

I have worked for major online price engines and I know first hand that 10 different retailers calculated the exact same tax 10 different ways (different rates, different enforcements, etc.)

Also, I have worked for B&M stores who would "discount" to win contracts by dropping the tax.

[Blu]

If you aren't charged tax, you're supposed to report the purchase when you do your income taxes....I'm sure we all do that.


Blu