Sales tax is regressive. I don't like it for that reason. Would prefer to eliminate all sales tax, except on luxury items. Of course, high-end audio would qualify as luxury. But not baby diapers, unless made of mink fur. |
Since half of all Americans take home is less than $33K/year, it's safe to say that all their money is going to purchase something and a sales tax is regressive.
Getting high-end luxury items taxed is another matter. Here, in California, the budget was held up under the Governator all because luxury yachts and jets were to be taxed like all other purchases. The rich wanted an exclusion that permitted them to buy these high-end toys, park them outside of state lines for a few months, and exclude them from taxation. That was the only thing that held up the budget for a couple of months and guess what, they got their way. I don't remember whether it came to no tax at all or some profanely reduced tax that had nothing to do with the actual value of the toy.
All the best,
Nonoise |
Its a mixed bag. We all know the reason why over 70% of the high end retail stores have
closed down around the country during the past 15 years is for one reason only. The internet. Its a real pisser when I have to go down to Portland, Oregon or California from Seattle nowadays to listen to audio products since there is no longer the luxury of going to a variety of high end audio stores since they went out of business. Many Audiophiles complain about the loss of retail store fronts, and yet they are the very cause as to why the stores have vanished. "Look Ma!!",.." I just bought a $ 10,000 audio system online and saved $ 800.00 in taxes, I just love sticking it to my local retailer!!"..Its a very selfish, greedy attitude that Audiophiles have developed in recent years not giving a damn whatsoever if retail stores go belly up!. As long as they don't have to pay sales tax. The internet tax bill would strengthen retail stores again since the option not to pay sales tax would be gone. If I do buy new at a local high end store, I also get a discount around 5% by paying with a cashiers check, convincing the store their not stuck with a 4% credit card transaction fee. |
I am willing to pay any reasonable, fairly applied tax necessary for the government to provide for citizens when it is unreasonable for citizens to provide it for themselves.
This is ridiculous:
Sales tax in Chicago (Cook County), IL is 10.25%consisting of 6.25% state, 1.25% city, 1.75% county and 1% regional transportation authority. Chicago also has the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority tax on food and beverage of 1% (which means eating out is taxed at 11.25%). |
Can't complain about state sales taxes. After all; Indiana has the best politicians money can buy! |
Audiozen, I'm not sure it would strengthen local stores. I would still buy over internet because it is better (not to mention I pay use tax anyway). I can get free shipping, read reviews and be sure it is in stock plus 10x better selection. In stores it is pretty much gamble. Even if I check on line store claims they are different entity. Driving thru stores that don't have what I want cost me time and gas money. In addition staff is poorly trained. When I asked for Toslink in Best Buy nobody knew what it was and took them about an hour to find it. Another time I called the store to make sure they have item but when I got there they couldn't find it because it was either misplaced or computer was wrong. Never again. Selection over internet is incredible while service from places like Amazon is just perfect. |
Good point Kijanki..I do most of my buying online, and from time to time buy from a retail store. Online dealers always have items in stock ready to ship which is a convenience especially during the holidays. The High End stores most of the time give the same'ol line," We can special order for you"..but never have the item in stock. Its hard nowadays to find retail stores fully stocked with inventory which was more common back in the 70's and 80's. |
I have never bought from a local store where I live,LOL!,, they are like, what is a Krell?, what is a Taralabs cable?,, Ha,Ha!, I have been buying High-end audio over the phone since before the internet sales hit our screens!, so really,I do not give a rats ass about a local dealer!,, No internet sales tax! |
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324743704578444733449436900.html?KEYWORDS=Best+buy |
Siddh, they might survive because of internet but store sales will be very weak unless they stop hiring cheap unskilled labor. When my nephew worked for Best Buy he was told to help undecided customers by saying "I have exactly the same one at home and it works great". Now I understand why they closed stores in Great Britain. Internet competition is strong especially when they have to compete with stores that specialize in particular item. It doesn't make difference to me weather store selling brand name computer memory sells anything else. Such competition lowers the prices and is good for customer. Borders Books did not understand importance of internet presence and is gone. Large items are still sold in stores but eventually everything will switch to internet. |
Even though it passed in the Senate, it has to pass in the House, and doesn't appear to have enough votes. Speaker Boehner will sandbag the Bill by throwing it into committee. So far, so good. |
No more welfare, no more illegal immigrants, cut governmental waste at both the state and federal levels.......get rid of self interest lobbyists, as well as the self serving politicians and make THEM pay their fair share with no freebies.....once again were are taxing the consumer and small business owners, start at the top and work down........it is a govenment that is full of poor spending habits and even worse financial decisions ...and then explain to me how a company the size of GE rarely pays any income tax.....and then lets look at the AIG and GM pay back - where are we on that one - ???? No more taxes |
