Nik software charging sales tax in Texas?

[duronboy]

They're German company with a US office in California, why are they charging me tax here in Texas?

[DaveDawson]

Probably because we sell it at the Apple Store now.

[duronboy]

Yeah, but they're not operating IN Texas. I can buy any Apple product from online sources and not pay sales tax. I can buy products from say, NewEgg and not pay sales tax. Not a huge deal, after the 15% discount, it's still cheaper than any other place online, but it's making me angry having to support California.

[duronboy]

Ok, actually, they're a US company with an office in Germany. Heck I dunno. I did get a reply today from their office:

"Thank you for contacting Nik Software. Sales tax is applied based on the billing address provided. Therefore, if you are purchasing from Texas, you will be charged for sales tax for the state of Texas. I apologize for the inconvenience."

BUT THEY DO NOT OPERATE IN TEXAS. Why are they collecting sales tax?!

[Angelo]

Robin, I don't know about 3rd parties selling Apple stuff, but I've purchased online items from Apple and they do charge sales tax. They have stores in Texas is the reason.
However, I don't remember paying sales tax for NIK software in the past.

Edit:
I just checked my last purchase, in April/2011 and YES, they did charge tax.
Somewhere I heard that they may have a salesperson in Texas selling and promoting their products, and that's the reason
they have to charge tax.

[auddii]

There are several huge posts on taxes, and I swear that even if you are not charged sales tax, there is actually a usage tax that you are supposed to be responsible for as the buyer. (From what was said, individuals almost never pay this tax, and I don't know if they get in trouble if audited, but companies will if audited.)

[kenw]

Technically, they're saving you from having to send it in to the state. Which you DO realize you are supposed to do, right?

[duronboy]

Yeah I guess I remember there was a Nik rep. at Texas School. I just figured the rep. had flown in like everyone else.

I did notice when I finally checked out that they mention a few other states that they also collect taxes in.

I'm sure I owe billions in sales tax from other states. I'll likely be audited and forced to pay it in a few years when the national debt reaches 20 trillion!

[r0xikat]

I read somewhere that this may be more common as 'internet laws' become instated. not sure but meh :/

[SnapperUK]

How much is sales tax in Texas? I may have to visit a camera shop on my travels for extra Cf cards etc.

Cheers
Ben

[auddii]

8.25%

[SnapperUK]

Originally Posted by auddii

8.25%

Thank you.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by auddii

8.25%

Sales tax is different depending on where in the state you live. You can have state+city+county+others. 8.25% is the TOTAL within the city limits of Houston.

This will help:
Local Sales and Use Tax

.

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by kenw

Technically, they're saving you from having to send it in to the state. Which you DO realize you are supposed to do, right?

That's exactly right. What all these whiners fail to realize is that for out of state purchases you have always been required to pay local state sales tax yourself anyway. Its just that nobody ever does. The states are getting tired of this, for obvious reasons, and looking for ways to get this revenue in a more reliable manner.

Fundamentally I'm not opposed to taxing Internet sales the way local retail sales are done, but it is a big can of hurt in how to implement it.

[kenw]

The issue isn't that an internet sales tax isn't a NEW tax. It's just a mechanism (with all the unfortunate overhead) to collect taxes already authorized.

Yeap, the how-to is the sticking point.