Do I have to pay sales tax when buying something on ebay?

Question

buying from an individual, not business institution.

Answer 1

Having worked in the NYS Tax Department for 35 years --IN one of it's many Personal Income tax units... I can say that without a doubt you DO have to pay sales tax on purchases from Ebay--no matter who you purchase them from... However, on the New York State form (and I would have to assume it's the same or SIMILAR on other state forms) all you do is put a generaled amt of tax... for example--if you purchased an article for $25 and your sales tax rate is 8 and 1/4 % and that was the ONLY thing you purchased, then don't worry---it's the larger articles that you purchase for $100 and OVER that the states want sales tax on... At the moment, they are going with the "HONOR SYSTEM" on that but have no fear, I'm SURE the government is looking into SOME WAY to have it AUTOMATICALLY REPORTED as soon as you make a purchase--so be honest---if you bought a lot on ebay, compute the tax based on the sales tax rate WHERE YOU LIVE, not in the state where the article was purchased, and put it on the appropriate line on the income tax form---On the New York State form it has been called "SALES AND USE TAXES".....

Answer 2

my state tells me that yes we here have to pay that sales tax and send them a check at the end of the year if we don't pay it thru the company we bought something from. And if records are presented to them and they have to come after anyone in our state who has not paid the sales tax then they are allowed to collect 200% tax on that item.

Now there is still some question about buying from eBay since a lot of times the person selling is just another consumer and is selling (basically) junk and used items and not selling new. In that case people still feel they don't need to pay sales tax on those kinds of used items.

Answer 3

Legally yes, but most states have no way to enforce that except for vehicle purchases. If the seller is running a business and has a nexus in your state they are obligated to charge sales tax on all sales in your state.

Answer 4

Technically, if your state has a sales tax then yes. You are supposed to declare it on your state income tax return when you file but I bet very few people really do.