Motley Fool: Walmart Is Falling Apart Before Our Eyes

[mota bhai 2,675]

I thought they charge sales tax depending on where they ship it to. So I get to pay 6 pc.

[Peikko 1,575]

I thought they charge sales tax depending on where they ship it to. So I get to pay 6 pc.

That could be right and I guess if you live in a state where there is no sales tax ever then it never matters. Are there any sales tax free states? Do Texans get to buy stuff with no tax liability?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I thought they charge sales tax depending on where they ship it to. So I get to pay 6 pc.

It's not that easy. Up until April 30th, I paid no sales tax on Amazon.com. Now they are building a distribution center in FL and as a result, I get to pay FL sales tax on Amazon purchases as of May 1. As if that wasn't enough, the distribution center goes up in my county so I guess they'll hit me for the whole bit - state and local. And that sales tax is due whether the article I actually purchase comes out of that distribution center or not. Well, it levels the playing field a little for the brick and mortar guys. And it creates some 1.5 thousand local jobs. My cost is 7% of whatever I buy at Amazon. Not bad in the balance, I guess.

Edited May 19, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[mota bhai 2,675]

That could be right and I guess if you live in a state where there is no sales tax ever then it never matters. Are there any sales tax free states? Do Texans get to buy stuff with no tax liability?

NJ has always had a sales tax but it wasn't until a few years ago that the state mandated that vendors had to charge the sales tax at point of sale. Prior to that, the onus was on the consumer to report and pay.

[Peikko 1,575]

NJ has always had a sales tax but it wasn't until a few years ago that the state mandated that vendors had to charge the sales tax at point of sale. Prior to that, the onus was on the consumer to report and pay.

on ALL sales, not just online? Gee, you yanks are so funky in your ways.

[mota bhai 2,675]

on ALL sales, not just online? Gee, you yanks are so funky in your ways.

I meant online.

There's a sales tax on all sales (except food and clothing) but online retailers weren't required to charge it until recently.

[Peikko 1,575]

I meant online.

There's a sales tax on all sales (except food and clothing) but online retailers weren't required to charge it until recently.

You yanks are still funky, just not as funky as I thought for a minute there. I think most people seriously believe there simply isn't a tax liability for online sales, period.