I have never agreed with that. If you live in this country you pay taxes like everyone else!
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Anyway to avoid paying sales tax for iPhone 4?
- Thread starter VelfarreClubber
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found an interesting read
source: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/06/16/dear-aunt-tuaw-why-is-my-iphone-sales-tax-so-high/#continued
"The thing about California's sales tax law is that it's a tax on products only, not services as in many other states. That's the justification for not lowering the sales tax on the discount; since you're getting the discount by signing up for something you won't be taxed on, you don't get a tax break for it.
It's actually a better deal for consumers. In California, you pay $64.65 in tax on a 32 GB iPhone thanks to a 9.25% sales tax. Now, let's say you live in a place with a much lower tax rate for sales and use...5%. And let's give the person in that place a smaller 16 GB iPhone. They'd pay $9.95 in tax on the phone. But then, with a base $64.99 phone plan, they'd be paying $3.25 a month in tax. Over the life of the contract, that adds up to $87.95, much higher than the tax in California!
People always calculate the cost of an iPhone over the life of a contract, but never do it with tax. With this in mind, things in California don't look so bad, do they?
I don't know if this is the case in MA or RI.
p.p.s. Reader Adam points out that Massachusetts has a flat rate "safe harbor" program, "where you can pay a flat rate amount of use tax along with your income tax that completely covers your obligation on out-of-state purchases for the year." We googled this up and discovered that "[t]he taxpayer may pay a combined use tax on purchases using the Safe Harbor method below, based on AGI, for all items purchased that cost under $1000." In other words, you can pay a few dollars ($35/year for Adam, but possibly less for many of our readers and slightly more for a few of you) and safely bring in tax-free iPhones purchased in New Hampshire."
source: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/06/16/dear-aunt-tuaw-why-is-my-iphone-sales-tax-so-high/#continued
"The thing about California's sales tax law is that it's a tax on products only, not services as in many other states. That's the justification for not lowering the sales tax on the discount; since you're getting the discount by signing up for something you won't be taxed on, you don't get a tax break for it.
It's actually a better deal for consumers. In California, you pay $64.65 in tax on a 32 GB iPhone thanks to a 9.25% sales tax. Now, let's say you live in a place with a much lower tax rate for sales and use...5%. And let's give the person in that place a smaller 16 GB iPhone. They'd pay $9.95 in tax on the phone. But then, with a base $64.99 phone plan, they'd be paying $3.25 a month in tax. Over the life of the contract, that adds up to $87.95, much higher than the tax in California!
People always calculate the cost of an iPhone over the life of a contract, but never do it with tax. With this in mind, things in California don't look so bad, do they?
I don't know if this is the case in MA or RI.
p.p.s. Reader Adam points out that Massachusetts has a flat rate "safe harbor" program, "where you can pay a flat rate amount of use tax along with your income tax that completely covers your obligation on out-of-state purchases for the year." We googled this up and discovered that "[t]he taxpayer may pay a combined use tax on purchases using the Safe Harbor method below, based on AGI, for all items purchased that cost under $1000." In other words, you can pay a few dollars ($35/year for Adam, but possibly less for many of our readers and slightly more for a few of you) and safely bring in tax-free iPhones purchased in New Hampshire."
why complain now? I've been in the wireless industry for 10 years and it's been like that since before I started. Also FYI Walmart is the only retailer that charges taxes on the sale price. The sad part about it is only certain stores will be receiving the iphone 4 and most are getting 2 at the most.
I came here looking for an answer to this exact question. Fortunately I will be in Oregon in mid July, so I'll just pick up my iPhone there to avoid the 9.75% LA County tax. I just hope I don't have any issues with the ugprade, since I am on my parents' Family Plan and, as far as I'm aware, am not an authorized signer (or whatever it is). Should I have them add me as one before I go to purchase the phone?
Actually Apple stores are not allowed to process upgrades or new lines unless the account holder is present. Their system does not show authorized users. AT&T would do it though
so no tax for me.That won't be a problem, then -- I'll just order it online and have it delivered to where I'm staying, then activate it over iTunes (on my MBP). That works, right?
No, we don't need any more of them. We get enough from Washington.
But seriously, revenue is made up in other ways. There are no free rides.
And hello from Portland!
Tax free for me. I ordered through premier using my Amex and I live in CA, AT&T only charged me 299. The same price I paid for my 3G 2 years ago. The final checkout page showed a tax charge too but nothing on my statement. I have no idea why but I'm not complaining.