Question about sales tax

[episodic]

Ok, so you could order product A from a company that does biz in your state - so they charge sales tax OR

You could buy same product from another company without sales tax at all for 2$ more - would you pay the extra two dollars as a 'protest' of taxes?


Conversation between a friend and I spurred this question.

 

[JasonE4]

Absolutely not. I'd give my money to a company that has the better price despite being taxed. I'd be giving my money to a local company, which is a positive, and I'd be giving some money to my state, who *may* use collected taxes to indirectly benefit me.

 

[KLin]

I really wouldn't care, and wouldn't waste my breath arguing about it. Now let's go get drunk :thumbsup:

 

[Amplifier]

Assuming the cost is the same I'd rather give the money to a productive business than waste it on the government. But if there is a difference (over 50 cents) in cost I'll go with the cheaper alternative.

 

[her209]

Wouldn't you be paying a higher shipping charge tho?

 

[jagec]

Yeah, those silly "schools" don't need money anyway!

 

[Amplifier]

Originally posted by: jagec
Yeah, those silly "schools" don't need money anyway!

How is this an argument for sales tax. That would be like adding a 25% VAT on graphics cards and when people bitch being like "those silly old people don't need medicine".

And to the OP, your question is very relevant. I paid a CPA a few thousand dollars to do my books. Just to minimize the amount of money the government could steal from me.

 

[myusername]

Technically you would owe taxes at year end anyway. (supposedly) 100% of SC state sales tax goes to education. Let me tell you, if there's one thing in SC could use a little more of, it's education.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: myusername
Technically you would owe taxes at year end anyway. (supposedly) 100% of SC state sales tax goes to education. Let me tell you, if there's one thing in SC could use a little more of, it's education.

We could get in this huge argument that data shows over and over again - that the amount of money you spend has nothing to do with the education. Often small private schools spend much less per pupil that states do and turn out better students. Or how about states that spend little, and do better than states that spend tons. . .

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok, so you could order product A from a company that does biz in your state - so they charge sales tax OR

You could buy same product from another company without sales tax at all for 2$ more - would you pay the extra two dollars as a 'protest' of taxes?


Conversation between a friend and I spurred this question.

I generally go with the cheaper option with ALL fees considered.

So...if company A is $20 +$2 tax +$5 shipping = $27
and company B is $25 +$0 tax and free shipping = $25

I'm going with company B. If the final amounts are EXACTLY the same (or within a $1, maybe) I'd go with the closest vendor and/or quickest shipping/delivery option.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: myusername
Technically you would owe taxes at year end anyway. (supposedly) 100% of SC state sales tax goes to education. Let me tell you, if there's one thing in SC could use a little more of, it's education.

We could get in this huge argument that data shows over and over again - that the amount of money you spend has nothing to do with the education. Often small private schools spend much less per pupil that states do and turn out better students. Or how about states that spend little, and do better than states that spend tons. . .

However, I can guarantee that states that spend $0 don't have very good education.

I'm not saying we need to start charging 40% sales tax...I'm just saying that it's mind-numbingly stupid to go OUT OF YOUR WAY and spend MORE on a product, just to avoid paying sales tax.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok, so you could order product A from a company that does biz in your state - so they charge sales tax OR

You could buy same product from another company without sales tax at all for 2$ more - would you pay the extra two dollars as a 'protest' of taxes?


Conversation between a friend and I spurred this question.

law in your state probably places the burden on you to pay the sales tax for out of state purchases. so, you're supposed to be paying the tax on that product that costs $2 more

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: myusername
Technically you would owe taxes at year end anyway. (supposedly) 100% of SC state sales tax goes to education. Let me tell you, if there's one thing in SC could use a little more of, it's education.

We could get in this huge argument that data shows over and over again - that the amount of money you spend has nothing to do with the education. Often small private schools spend much less per pupil that states do and turn out better students. Or how about states that spend little, and do better than states that spend tons. . .

small private schools have a selection bias built in - the parents actually care about their children's education. as such, those children probably would have been doing better in a public school anyway.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: myusername
Technically you would owe taxes at year end anyway. (supposedly) 100% of SC state sales tax goes to education. Let me tell you, if there's one thing in SC could use a little more of, it's education.

We could get in this huge argument that data shows over and over again - that the amount of money you spend has nothing to do with the education. Often small private schools spend much less per pupil that states do and turn out better students. Or how about states that spend little, and do better than states that spend tons. . .

small private schools have a selection bias built in - the parents actually care about their children's education. as such, those children probably would have been doing better in a public school anyway.

Ok so how do you explain states that spend little doing better than alot of states that spend alot?

 

[episodic]

Anyway, the point was that he'd rather spend the extra 2 dollars. I was like go with whatever was cheaper vs. the same. I just get carried away with arguments like more $ = better education cause it isn't necessarily so.

 

[jlee]

No sales tax FTW.

I'd probably go with the option that's the least expensive overall.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok so how do you explain states that spend little doing better than alot of states that spend alot?

give me some data to work with that backs up your claim

 

[zanieladie]

Originally posted by: altonb1

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok, so you could order product A from a company that does biz in your state - so they charge sales tax OR

You could buy same product from another company without sales tax at all for 2$ more - would you pay the extra two dollars as a 'protest' of taxes?


Conversation between a friend and I spurred this question.

I generally go with the cheaper option with ALL fees considered.

So...if company A is $20 +$2 tax +$5 shipping = $27
and company B is $25 +$0 tax and free shipping = $25

I'm going with company B. If the final amounts are EXACTLY the same (or within a $1, maybe) I'd go with the closest vendor and/or quickest shipping/delivery option.

I agree!

I usually buy from the cheapest vendor (after adding in S&H, and possibly tax).

 

[YoshiSato]

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok, so you could order product A from a company that does biz in your state - so they charge sales tax OR

You could buy same product from another company without sales tax at all for 2$ more - would you pay the extra two dollars as a 'protest' of taxes?


Conversation between a friend and I spurred this question.

Um no. I'd buy from the over all cheaper source(need to factor, price, taxes and shipping costs)

BTW, your suppored to be paying your use tax on items purchased out of state but used in state. Shame on you for tax evasion.