Sales taxes in CA (Los Angeles, South Gate: to buy, living, shop)

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by mrzod

But most importantly, any purchase from Amazon is not taxed either

Technically, you're supposed to voluntarily pay that tax to the state, since out of state institutions are not required to collect tax on out of state purchases. New York has already passed a law forcing every vendor to collect tax, and I wouldn't be surprised to see CA do it as well. Frankly, I'm surprised it wasn't part of the recent budget process.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

Technically, you're supposed to voluntarily pay that tax to the state, since out of state institutions are not required to collect tax on out of state purchases. New York has already passed a law forcing every vendor to collect tax, and I wouldn't be surprised to see CA do it as well. Frankly, I'm surprised it wasn't part of the recent budget process.

So how would that work practically? Every company all over the country would have to get a California sales tax permit and file returns? That would be a paperwork nightmare and I can see a lot of smaller companies simply refusing to ship to California.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

There seems to be some kind of loophole here?

I get coffee at Coffee Bean every morning. They always ask "for here or to go?" .... last year i finally asked why they need to ask this, and the cashier mentioned that there is no sales tax if you specify "to-go". I've noticed this practice in several Coffee Bean locations in LA and San Bernardino counties.

Sure enough, if you watch them ring the items up, once "to-go" is selected, the price drops on the customer readout screen.

That's technically incorrect. If they provide a place for you to eat/drink on the premises, they are supposed to collect the sales tax, whether you drink it there or take it away.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

So how would that work practically? Every company all over the country would have to get a California sales tax permit and file returns? That would be a paperwork nightmare and I can see a lot of smaller companies simply refusing to ship to California.

I think it's more complicated because the tax rate varies across CA and then there is tax exempt for resale and the Ag exemption for Farmers and Ranchers...

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

That's technically incorrect. If they provide a place for you to eat/drink on the premises, they are supposed to collect the sales tax, whether you drink it there or take it away.

Sounds reasonable, i'm not sure how they get away with it. As I said, this seems like a company policy - i've notived it at several locations.

(not that i mind.... the fewer taxes i pay to this state the better. )

[ValleyBoy85]

But starting Jan. 1, just when consumers will need a real break, they'll have to add the new MTA tax (Measure "R"). Now tack on Schwarzenegger's 1.5%, and here you are - sales taxes in Los Angeles County will be 10.25%, except in El Monte, where they will be 10.75%, and in Pico Rivera and South Gate, where they will be an astonishing 11.25%

These are the perks to living in a predominately radical DEMOCRATIC/Socialist county and state!!!!!

[Bootstrap Bill]

Groceries are not taxed in California. Soda is, whether you buy it in a bottle or cup.

California tried taxing junk food in the 80's, but a state proposition overturned that. It also went up from 6% to over 7% during that time period. They said it was temporary. The tax never went back down.

Fast food "to go" used to be exempt from sales tax. I used to cheat and ask for to go, but that doesn't work anymore.

[Bootstrap Bill]

Originally Posted by ValleyBoy85

Now tack on Schwarzenegger's 1.5%

It's only 1%. Sales tax here in Riverside County went from 7.75% to 8.75%.

Is he planning on raising it again?

[Bootstrap Bill]

Originally Posted by ValleyBoy85

But starting Jan. 1, just when consumers will need a real break, they'll have to add the new MTA tax (Measure "R"). Now tack on Schwarzenegger's 1.5%, and here you are - sales taxes in Los Angeles County will be 10.25%, except in El Monte, where they will be 10.75%, and in Pico Rivera and South Gate, where they will be an astonishing 11.25%

These are the perks to living in a predominately radical DEMOCRATIC/Socialist county and state!!!!!

Pico Rivera and South Gate have higher sales tax than the rest of L.A. County?

All that will do is force people to shop in neighboring cities. It will have exactly the opposite effect they were hoping for.

[bhcompy]

Originally Posted by Bootstrap Bill

Pico Rivera and South Gate have higher sales tax than the rest of L.A. County?

All that will do is force people to shop in neighboring cities. It will have exactly the opposite effect they were hoping for.

Same thing is going to happen along the LA and Ventura/Orange county lines. Ventura is already a point and a half less than LA, and will be 2 points less in January. Orange county will be a point and a half less