I'm in the market for a Mac Pro refurb, but the tax takes the total cost back to the same price as a new one from many other vendors.


GRrrrrr

So what's wrong with buying new if it's the same price as the refurb with tax?

Nothing wrong with new, but it makes little sense to even look into a refurb

What? I thought everybody loved taxes?

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Le poète doit vivre beaucoup, vivre dans tous les sens. - Verlaine

Not here. Either I pay sales tax or I pay B&O tax.

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Same goes for a 8GB ipod touch. Refurb is 250 plus 6%. New is 285 at amazon shipped tax-free, or a bit cheaper with free-after-rebate deals at macmall. So, do you get one that has been bad and been fixed, or a new one?

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bradsdad
---no signature required

Just do not forget that you are SUPPOSED to pay the tax even on purchases from Amazon etc., only they do not collect it directly (you are supposed to report it on your tax return). Formally, therefore, there is no difference between which vendors you buy from. Practically, that is another issue.

That loophole is going to be closed very soon. I wouldn't be surprised if they start coming after people for sales tax a year or two afer the fact.

What is there about people who buy on the internet who think they are so frgging special that they do not have to pay the toll like everybody. Bunch of commie libs who think they love big government but not them when it comes to paying. Same with income tax avoidance.

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Da Good Life

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68shelbymustang
I'm in the market for a Mac Pro refurb, but the tax takes the total cost back to the same price as a new one from many other vendors.

I've been saying the same thing for a while. Plus, Amazon is almost always offering rebates on new models which really make the refurbs a lousy deal.

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Black Landlord
That loophole is going to be closed very soon. I wouldn't be surprised if they start coming after people for sales tax a year or two afer the fact.

Not really. [en.wikipedia.org]

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The reason that sales taxes were initially forgiven on internet sales was to give the "struggling" internet companies a chance to expand. The usefulness of the sales tax waiver has long since expired and it is now damaging companies that actually have a presence in a state. It needs to be ended.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

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davester
The reason that sales taxes were initially forgiven on internet sales was to give the "struggling" internet companies a chance to expand. The usefulness of the sales tax waiver has long since expired and it is now damaging companies that actually have a presence in a state. It needs to be ended.

davester, there never was an Internet sales tax waiver. You are confusing the temporary ban on new taxes for using the Internet as being a ban on collecting sales tax on internet sales. It did not do that, all companies were still required to collect it for any state they had a physical presence or nexus in and that they made a sales to someone in that state. They were under the same rules as any mail-order company. Some companies with presence in states failed to collect sales tax for them, the states rightfully went after those. Apple has had a presence in pretty much every state, if only a sales office, so has been collecting sales tax on all sales right from the beginning.

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If one doesn't like sales tax, they either have to get their legislature to repeal their state' sales tax, or move to Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon.

Apple has no say in the area of sales taxes, only the color surcharge on Black MacBooks.

"It needs to be ended"

davester, are you in an industry being damaged by the state's hand not being in my pocket?

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davester
The reason that sales taxes were initially forgiven on internet sales was to give the "struggling" internet companies a chance to expand. The usefulness of the sales tax waiver has long since expired and it is now damaging companies that actually have a presence in a state. It needs to be ended.

You are confused about the nature of the Internet tax ban moratorium. This moratorium prevents the feds and states from tacking on an Internet USE and ACESS fee like you see on your bill with other utilities. It has nothing to do with current sales taxes and buying off the Internet is no different than buying mail order. Collection in that instance is simply based upon a companies reach into a particular state.

So the Commerce clause of the US Constitution is considered a loophole?

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MGS_forgot_password
So the Commerce clause of the US Constitution is considered a loophole?

I'm not sure I'd call the Commerce Clause a "loophole." It's the original U.S. law. However, there is an argument that the "dormant" Commerce Clause, which was concocted by the S.Ct. back in the 19th century is a loophole.

I love not being charged a sales tax, but I don't think it's an innate right. I expect at some point all internet sales will be taxed -- but for now I am content to not pay (and yes I know in theory I am supposed to report it). And when they change the laws, I will pony up the tax since I have no problem with taxes. My problem is the way my taxes are spent sometimes, which is an entirely different kettle of fish that has no bearing on this thread.

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spearmint
What is there about people who buy on the internet who think they are so frgging special that they do not have to pay the toll like everybody. Bunch of commie libs who think they love big government but not them when it comes to paying. Same with income tax avoidance.

Good Lord.