eBay is illegally charging tax on used items

[navom1]

In most if not all states, there is no tax on second hand items.  eBay is illegally taking our money.  I have tried this in two different states that both have no tax on second hand items, and I was still charged.

[simba6]

It started out as a business use tax.  They did not want to pay it so, it got passed on to the consumer as a sales tax.  Another reason the let's tax businesses is a bad idea as YOU end up paying it.

So, it's a tax on the act of selling it, not the item itself.  If you go to a resale or pawn shop and buy used item, dang there is sales tax.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Similar in Massachusetts, where my favorite is that if you buy a dozen donuts at Dunkin there's no sales tax because it's considered food, but if you buy one donut and a coffee, that's a meal so it's charged the restaurant "meals" tax which always happens to be the exact same rate as the sales tax.

[evry1nositswindy]

At the grocery store, you don't pay tax on juice, but you do on soda.  Why?  The carbonation makes it taxable.  Crazy laws!  

[soh.maryl]

I'm in Ohio and I know that there is a state sales tax on second hand items here.

Can you list a state or two that doesn't tax the sale of used items?

[wrong66]

I think one is considered a food, while the other is a beverage?

[soh.maryl]

Since the rate of state sales tax as well as which items will be charged state sales tax is set by each individual state, there may be states where you DO pay tax on juice.  There may even be states where you do not pay state sales tax on soda, don't know.  

[wildpitchsports]

Wait, are you buying something? They don't charge sellers sales tax for selling things, that is income tax. If you're buying and paying sales tax you're in the wrong board.

[reallynicestamps]

This is the seller's board.

If your customers are being charged sales taxes, it is because their state charges sales tax.

The buyer pays the tax, you do not.

One of my favourite thrifts has a sign at the register reminding customers that they are required to charge tax on sales, based on the value of the goods.

Its the SALE that is taxed not the goods.

[maxine*j]

I once tried to make my way through page after page after page of what is and is not subject to sales tax here in PA.   PA is extremely detailed in what is and is not taxable.  I gave up trying to make much sense of it.  But I do remember a few oddball things: 

Pumpkins are not taxed if they are to be used for food, but they are taxed if they are to be used for decoration.    The United States flag and the flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are non-taxable, but all other flags and all bunting is.   Bowling shirts are tax exempt, but bowling shoes are taxed.

[lepke1979]

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@evry1nositswindy wrote:

At the grocery store, you don't pay tax on juice, but you do on soda.  Why?  The carbonation makes it taxable.  Crazy laws!  

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The soda cartels check to politicians must have bounced.

[shot9067]

Even more crazy in my state, if I go buy 2 bottles of tea, same size and brand 1 is sweetened and 1 is not, I am charged sales tax on the bottle of sweet tea but the unsweetened bottle is not taxed. With the sugar added to the tea it’s not classified as a food item. There’s sales tax on all soda pop plus a bottle deposit but juice and tea, sweetened or not, are exempt from the bottle deposit.

[cstpos]

@ Too true! Nothing like living in 'Crook' county.

[bearswatching]

Can you provide a list of the states that don’t charge sales tax on the sale of used items?  I have never heard that and my curiosity is really piqued! Or, since you said it is most, if not all, how about a list of those that do as that would be shorter. I’ve only lived in 3 states and all charge tax on used goods. I’m really curious!

[evry1nositswindy]

@wrong66  No it is the carbonation.  I worked at a grocery store many years ago and this is how it was (and is) in Ohio.  Could be different in other states, but I doubt it.     

[bearswatching]

Bowling shirts are exempt? That’s hilarious!😂