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posted Jun 4, 2019 5:16:02 PM

Do I pay CA state tax on an online purchase from a foreign country?

I bought an expensive jacket online from a company in Iceland. They didn't charge me sales CA tax of course. So I voluntarily paid the tax and "mailed" my return today. Just realized maybe I didn't have to declare it because the jacket is from Iceland (not the states). I'm thinking of filing an amendment but am wondering if I'm right that I should NOT have declared and paid that sales tax.

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Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 5:16:03 PM

Generally, "use tax" (an extension of sales tax) is legally due on any taxable item purchased out-of-state -- whether in another state or another country -- on which you didn't pay sales tax. Yes, seemingly nobody pays it; but you're supposed to. You did the right thing by paying it.

1 Replies
Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 5:16:03 PM

Generally, "use tax" (an extension of sales tax) is legally due on any taxable item purchased out-of-state -- whether in another state or another country -- on which you didn't pay sales tax. Yes, seemingly nobody pays it; but you're supposed to. You did the right thing by paying it.