Washington State Sales Tax Question

[honestone33]

This thread is, most likely, only applicable to folks who live in Washington state, as I do. On February 1st, my wife and I will drive down to Portland, Oregon for the day (or maybe stay there over night, not sure yet), and I want to take advantage of purchasing an item (a late 2018 Mac Mini, most likely at a Best Buy store) and not having to pay the usual 10% Washington sales tax (my wife might want to purchase an item or two also). My question is, if I use a credit card to make the purchase (or purchases), will the WA sales tax still not be applied? I know I could pay cash and definitely avoid the tax, but I prefer to use my credit card.

 

[TiggrToo]

This thread is, most likely, only applicable to folks who live in Washington state, as I do. On February 1st, my wife and I will drive down to Portland, Oregon for the day (or maybe stay there over night, not sure yet), and I want to take advantage of purchasing an item (a late 2018 Mac Mini, most likely at a Best Buy store) and not having to pay the usual 10% Washington sales tax (my wife might want to purchase an item or two also). My question is, if I use a credit card to make the purchase (or purchases), will the WA sales tax still not be applied? I know I could pay cash and definitely avoid the tax, but I prefer to use my credit card.

When purchasing an item at a store, sales tax will be charged based upon the location you purchase the item, irrespective of where you live. This is true across the union.

All anyone cares about is making sure that Sales Tax was paid to someone.When purchasing online then you get charged based upon your billing or shipping address.

Where I live I can save a whopping 0.5% sales tax just by shopping in the next county.

Paying with cash will never (legally) allow you to skip sales tax.

 

[honestone33]

When purchasing an item at a store, sales tax will be charged based upon the location you purchase the item, irrespective of where you live. This is true across the union.

I already knew that, and Oregon has no sales tax. By paying in cash, I avoid giving the retailer any personal information. But with a credit card, they will see that I reside in Washington state, which has a sales tax.

So once again I ask: will I avoid paying WA sales tax in Oregon if I use a credit card?

Again, Oregon has no slates tax.

 

[killawat]

I already knew that, and Oregon has no sales tax. By paying in cash, I avoid giving the retailer any personal information. But with a credit card, they will see that I reside in Washington state, which has a sales tax.

So once again I ask: will I avoid paying WA sales tax in Oregon if I use a credit card?

Again, Oregon has no slates tax.

Absolutely, you won't be taxed using cash or card hell you can hand over your drivers license they won't get up in your face. Its up to YOU to report it to the tax man via use tax, not them. The Apple Pioneer Place store is probably once of the nicest out there and one of the busiest for this reason. Enjoy.

 

[TiggrToo]

I already knew that, and Oregon has no sales tax. By paying in cash, I avoid giving the retailer any personal information. But with a credit card, they will see that I reside in Washington state, which has a sales tax.

So once again I ask: will I avoid paying WA sales tax in Oregon if I use a credit card?

Again, Oregon has no slates tax.

Doesn't matter. You get charged whatever sales tax (or lack thereof) in the location you purchase the item.

What you need to watch out for is Use Tax. Washington charges this tax on new items brought into the state where sales tax was not remitted.

Washington Residents purchasing Goods in Oregon.....Use Tax??? - Accountax of Oregon, Inc.

Use tax What is use tax? When is use tax due? How do I pay use tax? What is use tax? Use tax is a tax on the use of goods or certain services in Washington when sales tax has not been paid. Goods used in this state are subject to either sales or use…

accountaxoforegon.com

Paying cash may help in potentially skipping past this tax, but it's not a guarantee, especially if you also get AppleCare. A paper trail, once started, can never be deleted.

Pretty sure WA is well versed in this sort of thing, so your risk. Risk is low, but a risk nonetheless.

 

[honestone33]

Absolutely, you won't be taxed using cash or card hell you can hand over your drivers license they won't get up in your face. Its up to YOU to report it to the tax man via use tax, not them. The Apple Pioneer Place store is probably once of the nicest out there and one of the busiest for this reason. Enjoy.

That's what I expected.

Also, I will (most likely) buy the machine at Best Buy, as their prices are lower than the Apple Store.
[automerge]1579149632[/automerge]

Doesn't matter. You get charged whatever sales tax (or lack thereof) in the location you purchase the item.

What you need to watch out for is Use Tax. Washington charges this tax on new items brought into the state where sales tax was not remitted.

Washington Residents purchasing Goods in Oregon.....Use Tax??? - Accountax of Oregon, Inc.

Use tax What is use tax? When is use tax due? How do I pay use tax? What is use tax? Use tax is a tax on the use of goods or certain services in Washington when sales tax has not been paid. Goods used in this state are subject to either sales or use…

accountaxoforegon.com

Paying cash may help in potentially skipping past this tax, but it's not a guarantee, especially if you also get AppleCare. A paper trail, once started, can never be deleted.

Pretty sure WA is well versed in this sort of thing, so your risk. Risk is low, but a risk nonetheless.

I do not plan on getting Apple Care. I did see something earlier today about that Use Tax, but did not pay much attention to it. I think I'll just pay cash to avoid any kind of paper trail.