Ebay charging sales tax on a non-taxable item

Question

I recently purchased some Donut Shop Keurig coffee K-cups. This item is not taxable in my state of Massachusetts, which the order was shipped to. I was charged $8 in sales tax. This was the only item in the order. The Ebay AI bot just wants to send me to the Massachusetts DOR site, which also states the item isn't

taxable if you search.

I messaged the seller. They said they have nothing to do with charging the tax, that is all on Ebay.

It'd be nice to get my $8 back, and get this fixed so others aren't paying something they shouldn't be.

fosterssuper · Answer

As someone who collects and turns over Sales and Meals taxes in Massachusetts I know Ebay definitely COULD refund taxes collected in error. There's a line for adjustments right on the form. If they don't do it that's a choice. A choice that could get them in trouble although its doubtful the Massachusetts DOR would go after them since theyre ultimately getting the $$.

I get that it must be a nightmare for Ebay to deal with all the different tax authorities. Heck, the item i bought (coffee pods) ARE taxable if purchased in a store that also provides access to a Keurig or similar to brew them in. I don't envy the bureaucracy. But if a clear error is pointed out to them they should fix it.

monroe67 · Answer

These questions -- about sales taxation -- are appearing in these eBay Community Forums more frequently.

Maybe somebody will ask a question about it during one of the upcoming eBay Open meetings.

Maybe I will ask a question about it . . . . .

To reply to the OP, your seller is right: he/she has nothing to do with charging and/or collecting sales tax.

It has been my observation that eBay does not -- maybe is not allowed to -- refund sales taxes.

You might be able to request a refund from the sales taxation authorities of the State of Massachusetts.

If I were you, I'd start with a visit to your state's official website.

eburtonlab · Answer

@fosterssuper

Whether an item is subject to sales tax depends both on the laws in the state the item is being shipped to, and also on the category the item is listed in. If a seller lists a non-taxable item in a taxable category, the item may be subject to sales tax.

If you think eBay is making a mistake you can certainly contact eBay about it, but I do not think that this is something that someone from customer service will be able to help you with directly to get a refund.