Why is Ebay charging a tax on a used or pre-owned item that sold?

[rickbfxx2014]

The taxes were already paid on used/sold items the first time the item was purchased.  So why are we being taxed twice for the same items? Am I not seeing something here?

[lja440]

Because it is the law. The government closed that loophole. Think about it. You have to pay taxes on your purchases at your local consignment shops, antique malls and even Goodwill stores. Heck if you didn't have to pay taxes on used items, any used car or home would be tax free.

[atikovi]

---

@rickbfxx2014 wrote:

The taxes were already paid on used/sold items the first time the item was purchased.  So why are we being taxed twice for the same items?

---

Instead of viewing as a sales tax, think of it as a transaction tax.

[sunnysouth1]

It is the state the item is being shipped to that is charging the tax. eBay is legally required to collect the tax and remit it to that state. This is an internet sales tax.

All online selling sites are required to collect this tax.

Read here:

Internet sales tax:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/taxes-import-charges?id=4121#section4

[clu3]

It's the American way!!

---

@rickbfxx2014 wrote:

The taxes were already paid on used/sold items the first time the item was purchased.  So why are we being taxed twice for the same items? Am I not seeing something here?

---

[u_cant_take_it_with_u]

I love how people seem to act like we've always had to pay tax on used items on ebay, and we haven't. Look at all the years they [the govt.[ got by just fine without all that extra income. They figured out that they were just leaving too much money lay on the table. In my state, Goodwill stores (non-profit) items are not taxed, (antique/junk shops are, however) nor is food. Everything else is a free-for-all feeding fenzy. I asked a congressman once why used items have the ability to be taxed, over and  and over again. I was given the scholarly reply of "that's just the way it always has been." Nice.

[atikovi]

Suppose you could open a mailbox in a tax free state like Delaware, Oregon or Alaska to register as a buyer from, then have the packages forwarded to your home. You would have to be buying some expensive stuff to make the double shipping worthwhile though.

[ciande_2570]

Because tax is per transaction, not per item.

[ciande_2570]

---

@u_cant_take_it_with_u wrote:

I love how people seem to act like we've always had to pay tax on used items on ebay, and we haven't. Look at all the years they [the govt.[ got by just fine without all that extra income. They figured out that they were just leaving too much money lay on the table. In my state, Goodwill stores (non-profit) items are not taxed, (antique/junk shops are, however) nor is food. Everything else is a free-for-all feeding fenzy. I asked a congressman once why used items have the ability to be taxed, over and  and over again. I was given the scholarly reply of "that's just the way it always has been." Nice.

---

Actually buyers always owed sales tax to the states they live in. The reason for the new laws is because states were losing a lot of tax revenue that they desperately needed because of online sales.

Less populated states were really getting screwed. For example the South Dakota snow removal budget was set before the new law went into effect. with the number of blizzards they've had this year, some cities and counties are out of money to remove snow until the end of the year. Meaning people can't get to work or school or are being forced to hire private snow removal to clear their streets

[u_cant_take_it_with_u]

---

@ciande_2570 wrote:
Buyersrs always owed sales tax to the states they live in. 

I never said they didn't,  I was speaking ONLY of ebay purchases.  Early in the 21st century, it was in debate  whether eBay trafficking was merely a hobby or a viable source of income.

Of course it was decided that it actually was a viable source of income and there was a lot of money being made on eBay from selling.... So sellers that were grossing over $20,000 in sales (I believe that was the figure ....fifty lashes with a wet noodle for me if it wasn't) received a tax form at the end of the year. A little further down the time scale it was decided that the buyer's needsed to be taxed for what they purchased.  In the early years of eBay I only had to charge sales tax if the buyer lived within the borders of my state, not to those who lived outside of my state. I'm sure every state was likely different. The South Dakota reference is kind of a moot point because though I understand what you're saying it's not relevant to my thread because I was not concerned with the reason for doing it  (charging sales tax on eBay purchases) I was concerned that it was  being done.

Again, please, no " nuh-uh" threads, as I realize , and it is a given, that every state is, and has always  been, different per it's tax collections /regulations.

---

[a_c_green]

---

@atikovi wrote:

---

@rickbfxx2014 wrote:

The taxes were already paid on used/sold items the first time the item was purchased.  So why are we being taxed twice for the same items?

---

Instead of viewing as a sales tax, think of it as a transaction tax.

---

Well, it is a sales tax. It's a tax on the sale. It's not a "new stuff" tax, though, which is how I think many people see it.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Those people must have never bought a used car.

[southern*sweet*tea]

---

@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

Those people must have never bought a used car.

---

Or anything from a thrift shop.

[dubiousgain]

It is kind of interesting how many just can't seem to be able to digest the fact that it wasn't always the way it is now...For years, I was never charged sales tax for used OR new items I purchased on eBay... And I'm just bold enough to be able to admit it. 😋

[atikovi]

---

@dubiousgain wrote:

It is kind of interesting how many just can't seem to be able to digest the fact that it wasn't always the way it is now...For years, I was never charged sales tax for used OR new items I purchased on eBay... And I'm just bold enough to be able to admit it. 😋

---

Yes it wasn't always the way it is now. You do realize this sales tax thing on Ebay just started the last few months?