(edited by Miss Pink Floyd.9730)
Tax charged in BLTP
Probably it is just required by law where you live. No tax for VA.
Ranger | Elementalist
It’s odd, because I made a gem purchase not too long ago and no tax was charged, I am just glad that I was able to buy most of the things that I needed before this happened. Oh well, I guess I will just try and get the most out of the game without gems.
They switched billing to be handled by a 3rd party. Either they tax everyone now, your location was bugged, or your local tax laws changed.
Assuming US, you can try amazon.com to buy gem cards without being taxed. If they however apply taxes, it’s because of your location. You can get free shipping by ordering a certain amount (2 cards).
Or… proxy.
Order date: 10/31/2013
800 Gems
Subtotal: $10.00
Tax: $0.95
Total: $10.95
___________________
Order date: 9/8/2013
800 Gems
Subtotal: $10.00
Tax: $0.95
Total: $10.95
____________________
Order date: 4/30/2013
800 Gems
Subtotal: $10.00
Tax: $0.95
Total: $10.95
___________________
You get the idea
I’ve always been charged sales tax on gem purchases and don’t know why there’s been an inconsistency with yourself. I live in a state where I pay sales tax on everything, so this didn’t seem out of the ordinary.
After some research it appears that states don’t require sellers to charge sales tax for goods and services sold in states where they have no physical presence. If purchases are made in states that normally would have a sales tax associated with goods and services then that state of the buyer does require them to self report their sales taxes and pay them in their own due course at tax time.
If you haven’t been getting charged sales tax and you live in a state that has sales taxes you’re still liable for them when you file your anual taxes!
If you’re in a sales tax exempt state (Oregon, Delaware, Montana, Alaska, or New Hampshire)(VA does have sales tax) you don’t need to be worried about sales tax just yet. If proposed legislation known as the Market Fairness Act of 2013 is passed there will be a uniform method of taxation on all online purchases regardless of the location of the buyer or seller.
Why even tax online purchases?
States generate revenue through taxes to run public services, pay the wages of people who keep the social infostructure running, law enforcement, medical services, social services, and many other needs. Sales tax can account for up to one third of a states revenue. Using online purchases as a loophole to cheaper prices takes that money away from the government coffers, puts local business at a disadvantage, and can be perceived as tax evasion of a sort.
Citations
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/50-state-guide-internet-sales-tax-laws.html
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/tech/web/internet-sales-tax/
http://www.sba.gov/content/collecting-sales-tax-over-internet
If you don’t want to pay cash for gems that’s fine. If you don’t like the items in the gem store, that’s up to you. If it’s a budget issue we all understand. If you don’t want to support a business because of the way they operate we’re all entitled to do so and it’s our power as consumers.
If you don’t want to buy gems cause you’re paying taxes then you better move to a tax free state or boycott buying everything else. Saying you’re not buying gems because you’re getting itemized taxes seems ill informed and immature.
Order date: 10/31/2013
800 Gems
Subtotal: $10.00
Tax: $0.95
Total: $10.95
___________________
Order date: 9/8/2013
800 Gems
Subtotal: $10.00
Tax: $0.95
Total: $10.95
____________________
Order date: 4/30/2013
800 Gems
Subtotal: $10.00
Tax: $0.95
Total: $10.95
___________________You get the idea
I’ve always been charged sales tax on gem purchases and don’t know why there’s been an inconsistency with yourself. I live in a state where I pay sales tax on everything, so this didn’t seem out of the ordinary.
After some research it appears that states don’t require sellers to charge sales tax for goods and services sold in states where they have no physical presence. If purchases are made in states that normally would have a sales tax associated with goods and services then that state of the buyer does require them to self report their sales taxes and pay them in their own due course at tax time.
If you haven’t been getting charged sales tax and you live in a state that has sales taxes you’re still liable for them when you file your anual taxes!
If you’re in a sales tax exempt state (Oregon, Delaware, Montana, Alaska, or New Hampshire)(VA does have sales tax) you don’t need to be worried about sales tax just yet. If proposed legislation known as the Market Fairness Act of 2013 is passed there will be a uniform method of taxation on all online purchases regardless of the location of the buyer or seller.
Why even tax online purchases?
States generate revenue through taxes to run public services, pay the wages of people who keep the social infostructure running, law enforcement, medical services, social services, and many other needs. Sales tax can account for up to one third of a states revenue. Using online purchases as a loophole to cheaper prices takes that money away from the government coffers, puts local business at a disadvantage, and can be perceived as tax evasion of a sort.
Citations
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/50-state-guide-internet-sales-tax-laws.html
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/tech/web/internet-sales-tax/
http://www.sba.gov/content/collecting-sales-tax-over-internet
If you don’t want to pay cash for gems that’s fine. If you don’t like the items in the gem store, that’s up to you. If it’s a budget issue we all understand. If you don’t want to support a business because of the way they operate we’re all entitled to do so and it’s our power as consumers.
If you don’t want to buy gems cause you’re paying taxes then you better move to a tax free state or boycott buying everything else. Saying you’re not buying gems because you’re getting itemized taxes seems ill informed and immature.
This is precisely why, and +1 for a fantastic write-up!