Thrift stores and sales tax

[thrifted sister emily]

My boyfriend and I are traveling in the southwest and thrifting along the way. Back home in Kansas, we pay the standard sales tax at thrift shops, but Arizona and New Mexico don't charge sales tax (which seems eminently sensible to me).

I've been googling to try to figure out which states charge tax and which don't, but haven't found a single resource. So I'm wondering: Where do you live? And how do thrift stores handle sales tax there?

[valleythriftshopper]

The two Salvation Armys here charge the standard 5% sales tax but the thrift associated with a local food bank does not charge any tax.  I bought something at a hospice thrift I rarely go to not long ago & I think I didn't pay tax there either.  I have no idea why some charge & some don't. 

[Good Buddy]

From what I understand it's the structure of the organization that can play a part into whether sales tax is charged. In Florida, if you're a church there's no sales tax charged. Since sales tax is a State entity, my guess is that each state has their own "rules" regarding sales tax and non-profits.

[thrifted sister emily]

Interesting. I'd never thought of different organizations being subject to different rules vis a vis sales tax.

I'd like to write a blog post about this, but first I think I'll investigate further.

[mccoysnina]

I in KY and here I pay 6% sales tax on ts purchases but we don't have many church related thrifts.  WE have a St Vinnie but it is such a dump I never go there. 
Jeannie

[Emerald31]

I live in Indiana and at GW and Salvation Army here there is a 7% sales tax added to purchases. I rarely see any Church related thrifts in this neck of the woods. We do have a St. Vincents, but to be honest I don't go to that thrift too often as I have the strongest urge to use lye soap and bleach on myself and my clothing once I leave the store.

[Frchgrl]

This is a topic that boils my blood. They are charging sales tax on something that ALREADY had sales tax paid on and then if you donate it back they charge sales tax AGAIN! err 

[osip]

I'm in PA and just looked at a GW receipt and I paid sales tax.  Strange I just got my sales tax license (I'm going to start a consignment store) and the deal is if the products are used you don't charge sales tax - and there is no sales tax in PA for clothing anyhow...I'm going to the Goodwill to find out why!  I just love thrifting!

[valleythriftshopper]

I'm in PA and just looked at a GW receipt and I paid sales tax.  Strange I just got my sales tax license (I'm going to start a consignment store) and the deal is if the products are used you don't charge sales tax - and there is no sales tax in PA for clothing anyhow...I'm going to the Goodwill to find out why!  I just love thrifting!

There is no tax for clothing in MA either, so they must have rung your items in in the wrong category.  You should go back & check all your recent receipts if you have them.  That is highly illegal!

[SplashsMom]

Here in WI the only thing we DON'T pay tax on is food - and there are some counties trying to get their 1%  even on that.

Sales Tax is not actually on the item  it is on the transaction, so as many times as the same item is sold the government wants a share.

[Rev Bucky]

Sales tax always gets me when I go out of state.  I live in Oregon, we have no sales tax here. 

Everytime I go out of state, when I see a price tag, I automatically think that's the price, and get "sticker shock" when told how much I have to pay.

[foutchie]

here in missouri we pay sales  tax on EVERYTHING, no ifs, ands or buts.   However, some GW in the St. Louis area charge tax, and some don't.  Guess it's a city or county thing.

[dewdrop_me_a_line]

I live in America's Vancouver in Washington State. We are just across the Columbia River from Portland OR. We pay sales tax on everything except food . Across the river they have no sales tax.

I worked out of Portland for many years and paid their state income tax so I feel free to cross the river on major purchases.

Oregon does not have sales tax. Washington state does. We don't have state income tax.

I thrift on both sides of the river given the time and energy to do so. I usually stay close to home now in my 'golden' years. LOL!

May your pennies spent bring you many happy returns. dewster

[valleythriftshopper]

I live in America's Vancouver in Washington State.

I worked out of Portland for many years and paid their state income tax so I feel free to cross the river on major purchases.

Oregon does not have sales tax. Washington state does. We don't have state income tax.

May your pennies spent bring you many happy returns. dewster

The neighboring state of NH has no sales tax but you have to show an ID to make a major purchase like furniture etc.  They have to charge you the sales tax if you are from out of state. 

[dewdrop_me_a_line]

I sure hope Oregon's Tax Authority or Washington's for that matter, don't read this post! How awful! I know when Oregonian's are in Washington they have to show their Oregon ID so they don't have to pay Washington sales tax.

It sure gets complicated!

dew