WA FFL charging tax on out of state purchases?

[Stilly bay]

how long has this little gem been in affect?

I just found out I will have to pay Wa sales tax on an out of state (Idaho) online purchase.
I bought a gun this way last winter and didn't get charged for sales tax, what gives?

is there anyway around this or any loopholes?
I suppose there will be sales tax on the purchase of out of state used guns aswell

[Heredoggydoggy]

The law has been on the books for a long time, but only recently has it been enforced.

And yes, unless there is a trade-in gun as part of a purchase, you will have to pay sales tax on the full sale price.

[bobcat]

I think you have to pay the tax even if the gun is a gift!   

[Johnb317]

If you drive down to Portland and pick up a tv (or anything else) you're supposed to notify Christine and Co.  and send them the tax.

[Bob33]

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx

[Stilly bay]

must be poor timing on my part, since I have been saving up for the last year and half. and the outfitter I bought the guns from made no mention of sales tax, but I guess the sales tax isn't his problem to begin with.

I think I still came out ahead even with the FFL fees, but man its getting harder and harder these days to get a deal if your factor in all the additional fees.

[singleshot12]

Wonder why tax is charged on just out of state guns    and not other stuff?   

[hookr88]

This gem has been in effect since 1938. It is not a sales tax but a "user" tax. You are using an item in this state that was purchased out of state.

[carpsniperg2]

must be poor timing on my part, since I have been saving up for the last year and half. and the outfitter I bought the guns from made no mention of sales tax, but I guess the sales tax isn't his problem to begin with.

I think I still came out ahead even with the FFL fees, but man its getting harder and harder these days to get a deal if your factor in all the additional fees.

Just like buying a car. They whack you for the sale tax on there value! of the car. Not what you paid for it. Which is stupid and really sucks and keeps a guy from getting some really good deals. Even if you bought your grandma's brand new h2 hummer for 1,000.00 they would charge you sales tax on what it's is worth 30k.

[Stilly bay]

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx

thanks for the link,
So if its been in effect since 1938 why wasn't I charged when I have made numerous purchases over the years:dunno:?

I recommended buying guns out of state to someone else (mainly to save $ on sales tax) and now they are going to get the same unexpected fee. I got egg all over my face on this one and kinda feel like a tool.

[singleshot12]

This gem has been in effect since 1938. It is not a sales tax but a "user" tax. You are using an item in this state that was purchased out of state.

I wonder if it's the same % as the sales tax? whatever that is now 8%?

[Biggerhammer]

They have only been doing locally where I'm at for the last 2 years, charged me tax on the rifles I had shipped in and then charged me tax on the FFL fee.

Last .375 Ultra I had shipped in, it ran me a hundred dollar bill just to walk out with it.   

[Stilly bay]

if you buy out of state, and pay attention to the shipping I still think it would be cheaper than going local to a place like kesselrings where you get overcharged and have to pay sales tax as well. buying multiple guns (like I just did) out of state can really ad up quick with FFL fees and bite you in the ass. now that I have taken a few hundred deep breaths and looked at the big picture I am feeling a little better about it. 

So when are we going to start paying sales tax on every online purchase. seems like it would provide one huge jolt of sustainable money to the state/gov

[cwuwildcat]

http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/publicationbysubject/taxtopics/firearmtransfers.aspx

thanks for the link,
So if its been in effect since 1938 why wasn't I charged when I have made numerous purchases over the years:dunno:?

I recommended buying guns out of state to someone else (mainly to save $ on sales tax) and now they are going to get the same unexpected fee. I got egg all over my face on this one and kinda feel like a tool.

State started enforcing it when the state started having money problems.  Kind of like leaving the loose change under your couch cushions until your broke and need something.  Suddenly, that couch change starts looking real good! 

Some FFL have always collected it, others didn't because they didn't get audited.  Now the states going through everyones pockets.  It wasn't a big dollar amount until the rise of the internet and places like Gunbroker.  There wasn't a ton of these transfers like there is today.

[wraithen]

Stilly, if you're military you can use the Ft. Lewis Northwest Adventure Center. They charge a flat 30 bucks for the transfer and could care less about what the state thinks about it. If you aren't then hopefully military people reading will avoid paying the 25 ffl fee plus the "use excise"