WA FFL charging tax on out of state purchases?

[bobcat]

This clearly illustrates that raising taxes to meet budget shortfalls doesn't work. We created a sales tax and what do people do? They buy elsewhere. Are these people breaking the law? You bet they are. Is the law just? That's certainly questionable.

Taxes stifle economic growth. And our sales tax is a prime example of that. The businesses in WA, especially those along our borders with states that either don't have sales tax, or with those who waive it for out-of-staters (I hate that we do that in WA, by the way), lose out because our residents would rather break the law and buy out of state than frequent our own businesses.

So you would prefer a state income tax?

[xd2005]

What's the alternative? I definitely prefer a sales tax to an income tax.

Although I completely agree with the out-of-state issue. The fact that Washington residents have to pay income tax if they earn income in Oregon but Oregon residents do not have to pay sales tax on Washington purchases (not consumed in Washington) is beyond frustrating, particularly since Washington residents do not get any benefits associated with those taxes (such as reduced fishing/hunting licenses) paid to Oregon. The people that really get screwed are those living in Washington and working in Oregon. They end up having to pay income tax to Oregon, then sales tax for purchases in Washington. In a couple years they'll be paying tolls on top of that. 

[pianoman9701]

The alternative is to shrink government considerably from the pig it has become. Pay less on the state level and more on the local level. It's not just sales tax in this state. It's B&O tax, sin taxes, soda tax, gas tax (among the highest in the US). It goes on and on and there will be more added each year. Some, like the Discovery Pass, will only affect a small part of the voting public, so they'll be justified and approved by the majority. But, others get created which tax other minority segments until all of us have 15-20 or more different taxes that we pay. And, it never decreases. It only ever increases, ever!

Our society is so used to paying exorbitant taxes that we just assume we need them. Our representatives get healthcare and retirement that we don't get. They get paid a full wage for performing their civic duty. Our state government has departments and sub departments and redundant departments. We need thousands of government employees more than necessary just to enforce all of the unnecessary laws we pass each year, and more to handle the fines and the court dockets.

The alternative is to eliminate redundancy, trim down the legal codes, and quit allowing the government to be such a huge, well-fed hog that devours all of our income.

[dontgetcrabs]

I tried to buy an ar lower in Portland last year and was told that it would have to go through a FFL in Washington. I could buy a complete ar rifle tax free and bring it to WA, but not the lower. 
Another thing that makes my blood boil is the sales tax on used car sales. To me it's double taxation, the tax was already paid on the auto when it was sold new in WA or when it was brought into the state and licensed here. 

[Bob33]

The alternative is to shrink government considerably from the pig it has become. Our society is so used to paying exorbitant taxes that we just assume we need them.

I agree with the first sentence, but not the second.  Unfortunately, a larger and larger portion of our society not only wants, but demands that the government provide more and more benefits.  Many generation "G" ("Gimme") members believes it is their right to have "free" prescription drugs, "free" healthcare, "free" educational grants and loans, "free" food", "free" housing - to have their mortgage debts that they never should have had in the first place forgiven, and on and on.

Half of the citizens in the U.S. no longer pay federal income tax.  They want more government, not less, because they're not paying for it.

Our government is a pig in large part because more and more of our citizens (and non citizens!) suckle off it.

Here's an interesting short video.  If you don't like Fox, try to get over it and watch anyway. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=VxHfYNTrnic

[bearpaw]

I like jack..... 

[Wacenturion]

Maybe if people didn't cheat the system they wouldn't need to keep raising fees. 

Oh, OK, we the people are the problem.  Now I get it.

Do you actually believe that?  Lack of accountability on how government spends our tax dollars is problem, not the people paying taxes.  Note I said paying taxes, as half of this country doesn't.

I'm all for paying my fair share, but I'm not in favor of just fattening the pig.  If you took all the members on this board and the amount of taxes we pay, our state and federal government just pissed away that amount and then some in the time it took me to type this.

Yep...we the people are problem.

[Bofire]

 :)Washington passed "streamlined sales tax" several years ago they said they needed to in order to tax internet sales. several other states did also but they delayed the enforcement for a long time due to glitches in the system.
But they are getting it figured out and you can expect it soon. A sales tax based on the point of delivery instead of point of sale. The local govt. at the point of sale does not get the tax the govt. at the point of delivery does.

[Special T]

Do you want to knonw how to have more $$$ from tax than you thought possible? Make the tax just low enough that it is easier to pay it than to avoid it!
Hong Kong is a great example of how low taxes make economies rise. What does  HK have to offer? NOTHING! Well almost, low taxes. They have no natural resources, expensive land, and thats about it... Oh yes they do have a decent port. Expats from around the world have flocked there to do business through out its history. I have been there and can tell you it has very little to offer besides low taxes... That said the gov there has plenty of cash to run its operations.

People will always find a way to avoid HIGH taxes. You don't even have to have taxes a low as HK to do good here in the USA you just have to be at the average of other countries. This state in particular is horrible about its spending. Do you realize that the state has spent nearly a whole special session to close a 2 billion dollar shortfall and have only done something about 400 Mil! 

Does the Mafia have strong ties to places in the south were taxes are lower? NO why? because there is less need/incentive to cheat the system. What states are having the hardest time economically? the ones with the highest taxes.... Kinda makes you think about 1 why you would live there (toms of people from NY are moving to places like Florida) 2 If tax $ was the most important thing to GOV then history shows a lower burden on people creats more demand. 

[xd2005]

I don't think many people here, me included, would argue taxes can burden society.

With that said, I do not buy the argument that since the government has high taxes, cheating the system is ok. Since license fees are so high, I assume it's ok for people to just skip on buying the license and hunt anyways?

Debating economics is one thing, using economics to justify breaking the law is another.

I understand the catalog business kind of set a precedence with the whole sales tax thing for out of state, but I for one would be okay with states that have a sales tax requiring businesses that sell online to someone in their state (regardless of where in the US the business is located), that they charge the sales tax and remit it to the state. My slight variation on that would be for the sales tax be only in the amount of the state sales tax rate (or, maybe the lowest combined state+local rate). While local governments would miss out some, the state, theoretically, could reduce state level taxes, as a result of increased revenues, allowing room for local governments to increase revenues to provide necessary local services.

[singleshot12]

I still really don't get if a gun is purchased in "another state" WHY is Washington State eligible to collect the sales tax on it during the FFL transfer? The 8% sales tax should be sent back to the state the firearm was bought from! Somethings seems fishy about the whole thing to where the buyer is the one feeling cheated!
I know!  It's now called a "user tax" so it's all good right? 

[Bob33]

I still really don't get if a gun is purchased in "another state" WHY is Washington State eligible to collect the sales tax on it during the FFL transfer? The 8% sales tax should be sent back to the state the firearm was bought from! Somethings seems fishy about the whole thing to where the buyer is the one feeling cheated!
I know!  It's now called a "user tax" so it's all good right? 

Yes, comrade - you have it right.

[xd2005]

It seems the term "sales tax" really is another way of saying "use tax charged at the time of sale." Since the purchase will be "used" in the state of Washington, that is who gets the funds.

Looking at it another way, an Oregon resident is only supposed to receive sales tax exemption on items that will be used/consumed outside of the state. 

[singleshot12]

I can't see why anyone would order a firearm on line anymore.. With shipping,credit card fee's, ffl tranfere fee's and now the "infamous use tax"    It would most likely definitely be cheaper and easier not to mention less stressful to just have your local  -(in state) gun shop order your gun 

[bobcat]

I can't see why anyone would order a firearm on line anymore.. With shipping,credit card fee's, ffl tranfere fee's and now the "infamous use tax"    It would most likely definitely be cheaper and easier not to mention less stressful to just have your local(in sate) gun shop order your gun