MA sales tax free weekend

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Ylva

Ylva

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
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Jul 14, 2008
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Gloucester, MA
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Artemis Custom Framing
Okay, I was just informed that tomorrow is part of the sales tax free weekend.

However, in reading the fine print, I am wondering if it applies to my store:


"G. Layaway Sales. A layaway sale is a transaction in which property is set aside for future delivery to a customer who makes a deposit, agrees to pay the balance of the purchase price over a period of time and receives the property when the last payment is made. Layaway sales do not qualify for the sales tax holiday, even if the last required payment (or payments necessary to complete the transaction) are made on August 14 and 15, 2010"

So, if my customer places an order tomorrow, and pays in full; should I collect sales tax? I don't deliver the product just yet, so it could be considered layaway....

Am confused! And yes, the customer who made me aware of the holiday tax weekend, is coming in tomorrow to place the order....

HELP!!!
 
I can see why, but I don't think that taking a custom order is doing a lay-a-way. Lay-a-way would be taking an instock item off of the sales floor and holding for a customer to be picked up at a later date. Of course I am not an attorney - TG.
 
My interpretation of the law is that the "Layaway Sales" clause would only apply if they paid a deposit when they placed their order, then paid the balance when they picked up.

The way I'm treating it this weekend is: for anyone who places an order AND PAYS IN FULL at the time they placed the order, the order is tax-free (Unless their frame is over $2500, but I've never had that happen...). This is no different than someone who buys furniture or appliances for future delivery.

If they pay only a deposit, leaving a balance, then the order is taxable. Likewise anyone picking up a finished order and paying a balance would have to pay the tax as well...
 
In Florida we are having sales tax holiday also but it is only for something that is used in school, School supplies, school clothes, some electronics that are school related, no picture frames!!!!
 
When they place the order (say 10 th) have them give you a post dated check for the 14th.
If they give you a deposit also have them give you a post dated check
If they want used their cc for deposit and pay when picked up (after the 15th)
out of luck or take their cc number and put it in on the 15th.
We are taking checks and or cc numbers now for payment on the 14th.
Or just give them a 6 1/2 per cent discount, which you can double if it means a sale..
 
I know I'm late to this, but Ylva, any order paid in full on the tax free day I have sold without sales tax. I report it under the tax exempt line on the monthly reporting form.

I've done this int he past and there seems to be no problem with it.
 
Hi Cliff!
Yes, that's what I did too. Had 2 customers, one placed an order for 5 pieces but only wanted to pay half....I split it into 2 orders instead. She was fine with that. The other didn't want to pay full deposit, and understood why she had to pay salestax. So no problems.

Other than that, just some pick ups and no new orders....were you busier than usual?

Do you file your taxes on line? If not; start doing that! It saves a ton of time and is quite easy as well.
 
I don't work Saturdays in the summer.

Looking at the daily reports though, Casey took in four good orders and a few pickups. (which isn't unusual for a Saturday)

Last week was a surprisingly GOOD week!

Two of my customers are State Reps and I kind of gave 'em H3ll for the "tax free" day! Nothing but a pain in the ***!

Funny, I place all my moulding orders online, in fact I do almost everything online EXCEPT my Sales Tax. Can't quite explain it, but I don't trust the state.
 
What I like about the online filing state tax is that I do it right at the beginning of each new month, but put a paydate in three days before it's due.
So far; never had a problem and it's easy and quick. (takes me a minute, which includes log-in)
But then, I hate filling out paperwork and mailing it out.
 
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