Sales tax at Smith & Wesson

[swamp creature]

I just ordered the M500 monogrip for a 629-4. I purchased it directly from Smith & Wesson through their website. My order includes sales tax. I am a bit confused. I thought that sales tax is not applied to interstate sales and purchases due to states fighting over who receives the revenue. Am I wrong here? Is there something I am not aware of, or am I being stiffed? The amount is not that much, but I am not sure I owe it.

Chris

 

[swamp creature]

I just ordered the M500 monogrip for a 629-4. I purchased it directly from Smith & Wesson through their website. My order includes sales tax. I am a bit confused. I thought that sales tax is not applied to interstate sales and purchases due to states fighting over who receives the revenue. Am I wrong here? Is there something I am not aware of, or am I being stiffed? The amount is not that much, but I am not sure I owe it.

Chris

 

[Alk8944]

If your state requires internet/interstate sales to be taxed it will be. If the company you are buying from has a retail sales presence in your state then sales tax must be collected on all sales to that state just as though the purchase had been made at the retail site.

There isn't a matter of state "fighting" over which gets the revenue, it is the state that required the tax be collected that gets the money

 

[Broadside]

Only congress has the power (granted by the Constitution) to regulate (and tax) interstate commerce.

If a company has nexus or a presence in a state, then the state can require the company to collect sales tax.

It is difficult for large, well known, companies like to S&W to argue that they do not have nexus. So they just collect and remit sales tax on every sale. It is far easier than undergoing the pain of a sales tax audit.

 

[Broker50]

As the others have stated, all that is needed is as little as having a sales rep in that state for the state to require sales tax be collected.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Midsouth shooters supply collects state sales taxes and I know they do not have a rep in TX. I often wonder if they forward the money to TX of put it in their coffers

 

[Landpimp]

same story with Heckler Koch, they charged me sales tax, i asked and was told it was because there was a rep or distibutor in WA(turns out that is my buddy the HK Mil/LE dealer)

 

[swamp creature]

This explains alot, but doesn't cover the fact that when I order from Gander Mountain's website, I am not taxed even though there is a GM here in Jacksonville. Just wondering. I haven't asked for any money back, but if there is a tie to Florida through Smith & Wesson, does the state of Florida receive those monies, or does the state where the order is shipped from? BTW, I fielded this question to S&W five days ago and have not received a reply. Let's hope that this because they are covered up in E-Mails due to the current boom in sales.

Chris