Apple Store Tax vs. Online?

For some reason on the apple online store if you add a macbook pro 15" (base model) I get a $73.56 in tax. Now if I buy something from a store, I generally get a tax rate of 8.56%, which means I should be paying $160 in tax for the Macbook Pro.

I've also noticed that the tax on Dell Online and HP online seems to be cheaper.

Is the tax in the actual Apple Store the same as online....or is it different?

 

It depends on which state you're in.

 

Do not assume that the tax rate/amount on checkout is the same as which will be charged on your credit card.

My iPhone4 online receipt showed no tax ($299.00 grand total) and my credit card was eventually charged with tax, but not for tax on $299.00, but for the tax on $699.00. As it is the unsubsidized price to which the rate is charged that California requires.

My point is this.... Apple will charge the legal rate for your jurisdiction, regardless of the preliminary determination at online checkout.

 

You have the state tax and then any local county/city taxes. The online store probably does not charge you for the local taxes, the brick and mortar store has to.

 

Yeah I'm in Colorado....and that was what I was thinking local/count/city taxes are not charged....so if the tax rate is lower does that mean that it will stay that way or will it increase.

 

If you're even contemplating a non-CTO purchase, buy it from amazon. You probably won't pay any tax and you will get a discount.

 

Well you don't get the free ipod touch, printer, and $100 student discount from Amazon.

 

Yeah, you're right. I'm just not interested in either of those, especially with the new touch that's coming out next month.

 

A store has to pay the taxes for the city and county and state they are in. Online sell, Apple has a presence in the state, then they are required to take care of state taxes on any sell, but if the sell didn't go through a specific county or city, they are not required to take care of that sells taxes for them... though very often they do, even if the estimate shows different.

I've bought a few Macs at Amazon... they were cheaper at the time than even the student discount Macs from Apple.. and tax wasn't charged... you just have to watch the prices and look for good deals.

Legally though, you are required to pay all your state/city/county taxes for any purchases you make, no matter if the seller charges you them or not... you are supposed to self claim and self pay the taxes, usually when you file your income tax return. Pretty much no one does this though because its next to impossible to get caught... for now... there is legislation all the time in several states trying to force companies who sell out of state, or out of area to have to report everything they do, so the local authorities will know you failed to pay your taxes and come after you.

 

If they do that in PA, I'll just start going to Delaware to buy big stuff like laptops. They're tax free and not that far from where I am.

Right now, the states only go after businesses who make big purchases and then fail to pay use tax. Normally, the tax that would normally be collected on a $2000 or so isn't worth their time; they only go after things much bigger than that.

 

Since I'm not a student, I've purchased 2 Macbooks from Amazon.com. Usually the lowest prices available, no tax (in NJ at least), and Amazon's super fast shipping and easy return policy if needed. I'm an Amazon Prime member too, so $3.99 overnight or free 2nd day shipping.

 

So, if a person gonna buy an iPad(599$) and mb pro(2100$ with extras) in LA, CA,
what will be the taxes in Apple retail store in LA, and in Applestore.com ? where will be better to buy?

My brother is in LA for now, and i wanna order him to buy some apple stuff, cos in Russia for e.t.c iPad(32gb) costs nearly 1'100-1300$, and those mb pro 15", 2.4ghz, with extras(hi-res screen, 500gb hdd 5400rpm) costs here 2800$..

 

At the Apple retail store you will pay all applicable state and local taxes. At the Apple store online, you will pay all applicable taxes to the delivery destination. For example: I live in New Jersey, but if I have my order shipped to my office in New York I would have to pay the higher New York tax rate.

All Apple stores only deliver to their respective countries, so you can't order on the US Apple store and have it shipped to Russia

 

snork,
Thanks for info, yeah i know about delivery, but my brother is in states now(la, ca), and he could buy that stuff for me and then give me after return to russia.

 

If you're in northern NJ, check out Microcenter in Paterson. It's 3.5% sales tax there. They sometimes have laptop deals no other merchants can touch (like Sony Z and 13" MBP which I bought both from there). How about a brand new MC226/227 for $1599 (never mind it's the old C2D model)? I just picked up another MC374LL open box customer's return from them today for $809 (yes 809), looks and smells brand new, nothing missing.

 

Yeah, I've heard of that place and checked out their website but I've never been there. Paterson usually isn't a town that I frequent even though it's probably only 45 minutes from me

 

Yeah I'm about 40min from there myself. That store is literally right off of I80 so you don't have to go *into* Paterson It really is a supermarket for computer stuff. If you ever pass by the area definitely go check it out.