New York Sales Tax

[kweet]

Could someone tell me what the current status and rate of New York state sales tax is please? I have seen a few posts where proposals for reform are discussed, but am just wondering (a) what rate the tax is at present and (b) whether there are any (legal) ways around paying it?

I have seen some posts which reference tourists to the United States who are travel to New York from surrounding states to purchase a diamond and who then arrange for shipping of the diamond to an out of state hotel they are staying in...Is this feasible? I want to emphasise the fact that I have no intention of doing anything illicit!

 

[Lorelei]

Tax is owed regardless of where you purchase for the most part. The text below is quoted from expert Neil Beaty

"Sales tax is imposed by various states, counties, water districts and the like on the consumers who live in their taxing area, not on the merchants. Every state that has a sales also has a use tax for exactly the same amount and residents of those states who buy things where the required tax has not been collected are expected to fill out a tax form and remit the taxes themselves. Customers who buy things from merchants within their own state aren’t required to do this because the merchant is required to do it on their behalf. The taxable obligation by the resident remains the same either way."

 

[Patchee]

8.25% ... it really sucks!!!! No way around it unless you are tax exempt through agricultural/farming. You are better off going elsewhere. NY as much of a home it is to me rapes everyone finanically.

Loriel - In NH there is NO state tax....

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/27/2009 3:38:51 PM
Author: Patchee
8.25% ... it really sucks!!!! No way around it unless you are tax exempt through agricultural/farming. You are better off going elsewhere. NY as much of a home it is to me rapes everyone finanically.

Loriel - In NH there is NO state tax....

Yes I was editing, in some states there is no tax, but for the most part it is payable.

 

[kweet]

Thanks Patchee, Lorelei. That''s really helpful.
Where I live, its 21.5%, so I can live with 8.25%. I just got a little concerned in case it was much higher.... Thanks again.

 

[lowphat]

There is no legal way to avoid paying sales tax. It''s just a matter of what lengths you''re willing to go through and how much you really want to risk getting caught.

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 7/27/2009 3:38:51 PM
Author: Patchee
8.25% ... it really sucks!!!! No way around it unless you are tax exempt through agricultural/farming. You are better off going elsewhere. NY as much of a home it is to me rapes everyone finanically.

Loriel - In NH there is NO state tax....

I''m pretty sure it''s 8.75% in the city.

 

[Diva0413]

Date: 7/27/2009 3:53:35 PM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 7/27/2009 3:38:51 PM
Author: Patchee
8.25% ... it really sucks!!!! No way around it unless you are tax exempt through agricultural/farming. You are better off going elsewhere. NY as much of a home it is to me rapes everyone finanically.

Loriel - In NH there is NO state tax....

I'm pretty sure it's 8.75% in the city.

It's actually 8.375% in NYC for now. I think they just passed a bill to increase it.

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 7/27/2009 5:38:36 PM
Author: Diva0413

Date: 7/27/2009 3:53:35 PM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 7/27/2009 3:38:51 PM
Author: Patchee
8.25% ... it really sucks!!!! No way around it unless you are tax exempt through agricultural/farming. You are better off going elsewhere. NY as much of a home it is to me rapes everyone finanically.

Loriel - In NH there is NO state tax....

I''m pretty sure it''s 8.75% in the city.

It''s actually 8.375% in NYC for now. I think they just passed a bill to increase it.

You''re right, it is. Sad thing is I live here and don''t know my own tax rate!

 

[litebrite]

When does the tax increase go into effect?

Also, 21% tax?!?! I hope you get universal healthcare for that!

 

[wapila1]

Sales tax varies by county in New York because it's actually a 4% state tax plus the local/county tax. So, it ranges from 7.00% to 8.75% depending where you are in the state. And NYC isn't even the highest - Erie County (where Buffalo is located) and Oneida County are both at 8.75%. Nassau and Suffolk (Long Island) are higher than NYC too.