On eBay, whether a particular item is taxed depends both on the laws in the state the item is being shipped to, but also on the category the item is listed in. If a seller lists a non-taxable item in a taxable category, eBay may collect sales tax on the transaction. Before committing to a purchase, check to see if there is a sales tax line item in the checkout screen, or note which category an auction item is listed in and whether other items in that category are taxed.
I was ready to buy another gold buffalo and it showed sales tax when there never has been before. Pretty substantial amount and I just went back and did not place the order. They have never charged tx on bullion and some coins before. I want to contact ebay directly to get this answered. Thanks for your response.
Likely that seller has listed in a non-bullion category, mistakenly or on purpose -- possibly to get around limits on selling bullion or to avoid eBay fees associated with such sales.
I don't think so. I am trying to buy from Apmex. I don't think they would be trying to do any of that. I could be wrong, but a big company like that, who has been doing this for years, would not have the time to pull this. I just tried with a couple of companies and they are all showing taxes being collected. I would love for ebay to respond to this!
VA § 58.1-609.1 (19) exempts gold, silver, or platinum bullion, as well as legal tender coins from sales tax. This exemption was set to expire June 30, 2025 and VA HB 1600 extended the expiration to June 30, 2026. At this time, Virginia has not extended the exemption further. Therefore, Virginia will begin taxing these products July 1, 2026 absent further legislative action.
According to quite a few sources, the exemption was extended to June 30, 2028.
I contacted eBay to inform them of this, I spoke to a rep on the phone, but I am sure it fell on deaf ears. Just to be clear, the silver I've purchased since July 1 has been listed in the same categories as was purchased previous to July 1, so it's not a category issue. As of today, I'm still being charged tax on bullion purchases.
Until eBay fixes this, everyone needs to keep track of purchases, and how much taxes was charged, and if eBay doesn't refund the taxes paid, you can go through the Virginia Dept of Taxation and file for a refund. I'm sure there will be plenty of hoops to jump through to accomplish this.
Here is a link to one of many articles explaining the extension:
"I just checked, and there are no state or local sales tax on bullion in my state (Virginia)! So, what is going on?"
eburtonlab gave a good clear explanation to your question several hours ago.
You cannot fairly compare eBay sellers of coins and/or bullion with APMex.
APMex specializes in coins/bullion of many many nations.
eBay is a collection of millions of sellers, many of whom are operating from their garages, spare bedrooms, or kitchen tables. Many of those eBay sellers may have a lot of knowledge about American coins, but a lot of those sellers do not.
(I know. I sold my brother's modest collection of collectible American coins upon his death six years ago. To me, at least at the beginning, they all just looked like shiny silver coins in plastic holders.)
I have to agree with the basics of what eburtonlab posted.
Since your state charges no sales tax on purchases of bullion, the only reasonable explanation for you being asked to pay sales taxes when you buy from an eBay seller is this:
The seller -- that individual seller -- apparently has listed bullion in a non-bullion category. That might be due to that seller's lack of knowledge. OR it might be that that seller chose the "wrong" category on purpose.
worldcoinauctions
·1 week agoMy state exempts bullion above a certain dollar amount, ebay just charges tax and you must contact your state sales tax dept for a refund.
stuff4divas
·3 weeks ago@robert955 tax on bullion for Virginia started July 1, 2026, see my other post for specifics
kathiec
·1 week ago@stuff4divas
Please research further. On June 22 the Virginia legislature extended the exemption through June 30, 2028.
https://www.ncbassoc.org/article_content.asp?edition=3§ion=11&article=268
eburtonlab
·3 weeks agoOn eBay, whether a particular item is taxed depends both on the laws in the state the item is being shipped to, but also on the category the item is listed in. If a seller lists a non-taxable item in a taxable category, eBay may collect sales tax on the transaction. Before committing to a purchase, check to see if there is a sales tax line item in the checkout screen, or note which category an auction item is listed in and whether other items in that category are taxed.
robert955
OP3 weeks agoI was ready to buy another gold buffalo and it showed sales tax when there never has been before. Pretty substantial amount and I just went back and did not place the order. They have never charged tx on bullion and some coins before. I want to contact ebay directly to get this answered. Thanks for your response.
eburtonlab
·3 weeks agoLikely that seller has listed in a non-bullion category, mistakenly or on purpose -- possibly to get around limits on selling bullion or to avoid eBay fees associated with such sales.
robert955
OP3 weeks agoI don't think so. I am trying to buy from Apmex. I don't think they would be trying to do any of that. I could be wrong, but a big company like that, who has been doing this for years, would not have the time to pull this. I just tried with a couple of companies and they are all showing taxes being collected. I would love for ebay to respond to this!
robert955
OP3 weeks agoI just checked, and there are no state or local sales tax on bullion in my state (Virginia)! So, what is going on?
stuff4divas
·3 weeks agoVA § 58.1-609.1 (19) exempts gold, silver, or platinum bullion, as well as legal tender coins from sales tax. This exemption was set to expire June 30, 2025 and VA HB 1600 extended the expiration to June 30, 2026. At this time, Virginia has not extended the exemption further. Therefore, Virginia will begin taxing these products July 1, 2026 absent further legislative action.
michaelscoins
·1 week agoAccording to quite a few sources, the exemption was extended to June 30, 2028.
I contacted eBay to inform them of this, I spoke to a rep on the phone, but I am sure it fell on deaf ears. Just to be clear, the silver I've purchased since July 1 has been listed in the same categories as was purchased previous to July 1, so it's not a category issue. As of today, I'm still being charged tax on bullion purchases.
Until eBay fixes this, everyone needs to keep track of purchases, and how much taxes was charged, and if eBay doesn't refund the taxes paid, you can go through the Virginia Dept of Taxation and file for a refund. I'm sure there will be plenty of hoops to jump through to accomplish this.
Here is a link to one of many articles explaining the extension:
https://www.ncbassoc.org/article_content.asp?edition=3§ion=11&article=268
monroe67
·3 weeks ago"I just checked, and there are no state or local sales tax on bullion in my state (Virginia)! So, what is going on?"
eburtonlab gave a good clear explanation to your question several hours ago.
You cannot fairly compare eBay sellers of coins and/or bullion with APMex.
APMex specializes in coins/bullion of many many nations.
eBay is a collection of millions of sellers, many of whom are operating from their garages, spare bedrooms, or kitchen tables. Many of those eBay sellers may have a lot of knowledge about American coins, but a lot of those sellers do not.
(I know. I sold my brother's modest collection of collectible American coins upon his death six years ago. To me, at least at the beginning, they all just looked like shiny silver coins in plastic holders.)
I have to agree with the basics of what eburtonlab posted.
Since your state charges no sales tax on purchases of bullion, the only reasonable explanation for you being asked to pay sales taxes when you buy from an eBay seller is this:
The seller -- that individual seller -- apparently has listed bullion in a non-bullion category. That might be due to that seller's lack of knowledge. OR it might be that that seller chose the "wrong" category on purpose.
On eBay, it really is just that simple.