Amazon may raise Prime prices.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by TheMatrix

I was refering to 10% on the entire $99. The tax is on the entire amount.

You were paying $79 + 10% tax = $86.90. You're now paying $99 + 10% tax = $108.90. ie the increase is $108.90 - $86.90 = $22.

Where do you get your figure of a "nearly $30" increase from?

[Sregener]

My guess is that he didn't pay sales tax last year, so his total cost to renew is going up nearly $30. It doesn't really matter that Amazon isn't responsible for all of the price increase.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Sregener

My guess is that he didn't pay sales tax last year, so his total cost to renew is going up nearly $30. It doesn't really matter that Amazon isn't responsible for all of the price increase.

If he didn't pay sales tax on Prime last year, then he didn't have Prime last year (in California). And since he already stated earlier that sales tax on Prime in California didn't just start this year, I have a hard time believing he didn't live in California last year.

[Marcy]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

If he didn't pay sales tax on Prime last year, then he didn't have Prime last year (in California). And since he already stated earlier that sales tax on Prime in California didn't just start this year, I have a hard time believing he didn't live in California last year.

I didn't pay sales tax on Prime last year and would have to pay it this year if I renew. I don't know the California date, but Amazon just started charging sales tax in my state on Jan 1, 2014.

That is part of the reason I decided not to renew prime -- not the $8 in tax I'd have to pay, but the cumulative tax over the year I now would have to pay on amazon items. I try and buy online from places I don't have to pay tax. Even if the price is 4% more than on amazon, I'm still saving money.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Marcy

I didn't pay sales tax on Prime last year and would have to pay it this year if I renew. I don't know the California date, but Amazon just started charging sales tax in my state on Jan 1, 2014.

That is part of the reason I decided not to renew prime -- not the $8 in tax I'd have to pay, but the cumulative tax over the year I now would have to pay on amazon items. I try and buy online from places I don't have to pay tax. Even if the price is 4% more than on amazon, I'm still saving money.

That's fair enough. There's no "fuzzy math" there.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Marcy

I didn't pay sales tax on Prime last year and would have to pay it this year if I renew. I don't know the California date, but Amazon just started charging sales tax in my state on Jan 1, 2014.

That is part of the reason I decided not to renew prime -- not the $8 in tax I'd have to pay, but the cumulative tax over the year I now would have to pay on amazon items. I try and buy online from places I don't have to pay tax. Even if the price is 4% more than on amazon, I'm still saving money.

Surely you have to pay the amount as "use tax" if the products or services are shipped to, or consumed in, California, do you not? I was under the impression that the amount of use tax was the equivalent of the amount of sales tax you would have paid had you bought the item in state. Where does the saving come from, this being the case, or am I wrong in my understanding of how use tax works?

[ApK]

Originally Posted by HarryT

or am I wrong in my understanding of how use tax works?

Eh, it's not so much a matter of how it works, which is as you say, it's more a matter of if it works, which is 'not so much.'

Notice she didn't say which state she was in, and Marcy may not even be her real name. One step ahead of the auditors....

[Marcy]

Originally Posted by ApK

Eh, it's not so much a matter of how it works, which is as you say, it's more a matter of if it works, which is 'not so much.'

Notice she didn't say which state she was in, and Marcy may not even be her real name. One step ahead of the auditors....

Yes this. I'm not in California and would never be as they wouldn't allow me to keep my CCW permit. My state has a theoretic use tax which nobody I've ever known has ever paid. Most people don't even know it exists. The only reason I know about it is I have to fill out a form for it for my business every quarter.

-Marcy (or not)

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Marcy

Yes this. I'm not in California and would never be as they wouldn't allow me to keep my CCW permit. My state has a theoretic use tax which nobody I've ever known has ever paid. Most people don't even know it exists. The only reason I know about it is I have to fill out a form for it for my business every quarter.

-Marcy (or not)

You go, girl!!!

[Catlady]

My state has a use tax and I pay it with my state income tax.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Marcy

I'm not in California and would never be as they wouldn't allow me to keep my CCW permit.

Good for you

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Marcy

Yes this. I'm not in California and would never be as they wouldn't allow me to keep my CCW permit. My state has a theoretic use tax which nobody I've ever known has ever paid. Most people don't even know it exists. The only reason I know about it is I have to fill out a form for it for my business every quarter.

-Marcy (or not)

So what you're saying is that it's cheaper for you to buy online because you break the law by not paying the taxes that you're legally required to?

That strikes me as both morally reprehensible (tax evasion is stealing from everybody) and legally wrong.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by HarryT

So what you're saying is that it's cheaper for you to buy online because you break the law by not paying the taxes that you're legally required to?

That strikes me as both morally reprehensible (tax evasion is stealing from everybody) and legally wrong.

My state has no income tax, a very high sales tax, and a use tax. I don't know of anyone who pays use tax for private purchases or non-taxed out-of-state purchases. I'd venture to say that most people don't even know it exists.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

My state has no income tax, a very high sales tax, and a use tax. I don't know of anyone who pays use tax for private purchases or non-taxed out-of-state purchases. I'd venture to say that most people don't even know it exists.

What's the expression? Ignorance of the law is no defence?

But anyway, we're rather straying from the topic here, so let's drop the matter.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by HarryT

What's the expression? Ignorance of the law is no defence?

But anyway, we're rather straying from the topic here, so let's drop the matter.

True, but it's also the state's fault for not properly educating its citizens and for allowing a very complicated taxing structure to exist. Taxes in Seattle are higher than taxes in Olympia. Little wonder some online vendors don't wish to deal with different rates within the state based on city of residence.

But you're right, we are straying and this topic is best dealt with in the political forum.