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Tax taken in error
Greetings, On March 5, 2026 I purchased in excess of $2000.00 worth of Gold bullion, in one order from a seller on Ebay. I was charged $237.28 in sales tax. Gold bullion in excess of $2000.00 is not taxable in California. I called Ebay and spoke to a representative who claimed that they would fill out a form on my behalf and I would be reimbursed in 3 to 5 days. After 5 days elapsed, I called again and was told by a different associate that I would receive the refund in 60 days. Lo and behold after 60 days, still no refund. Called a third time and was told to fill out a form and upload it to Ebay. I filled out the form but wasn't able to upload it, even though the file met all the instructions on file size, file type, etc. Called again, blah blah blah. I was sent an email by Ebay as a way to convey the pertinent information. Again I have received no reply and no refund. Does anyone have a suggestion as to how this can be resolved short of my filing a complaint with the California Franchise Tax Board. Thanks very much in advance for your input.
monroe67
Mentor4 months agoAt an upcoming eBay OPEN event, I plan to ask if eBay ever reimburses sales "tax taken in error" to buyers.
I don't think they do.
Which will lead me to another question: Based on the number of posts in this Ask A Mentor forum, as well as the Buying and Selling forums (fora?), with complaints or at least questions about WHY eBay is collecting sales taxes on gold and/or silver bullion, coins, etc. -- is eBay really handling sales taxes on those items properly? I don't know exactly how to word my question, though. I don't want to get thrown out of eBay OPEN.
These sales tax questions come not only from California. And not only on gold and silver bullion.
In many states, sales tax is not charged on shoes or clothing in retail stores. Yet there are a few forum questions every month about why eBay collected sales tax on those items. Some states will occasionally have a "sales tax amnesty" on certain types of items; does eBay observe those amnesties? One state also apparently exempts American flags from sales taxes, but a year or so ago a buyer posted a lengthy screed about paying sales tax when he bought an American flag on eBay.
For right now, the California Franchise Tax Board website may give you the process for requesting a sales tax refund directly from the State of California.