are used items taxable?

[TheBean]

I am selling my laptop. does the buyer need to pay sales tax? or do I need to pay it?

how does this part work? I want to be sure I am doing things legally

[jake9000]

Most state tax codes have an exemption for 'isolated or occasional sales.' You probably do not need to be concerned with it. 

The reality is that no state revenue department is going to chase after these types of sales. Too much effort for not much money. 

[dizmo]

Depends entirely on where you live; if you don't give us that info, we have no way of knowing.

Technically every sale is taxable, but very few to no one ever charges it.

[PlayStation 2]

According to the State of Georgia, yes.

[TetraSky]

It can depend on a lot of factors. But the main one is "where do you live?".

 

For example, in Quebec
https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/businesses/consumption-taxes/gsthst-and-qst/special-cases-gsthst-and-qst/used-property/

Quote

However, used property is not taxable if sold by a person not engaged in commercial activities (for example, an individual who sells personal items at a garage sale).

Which means if you're just some random dude reselling your used junk as a person and not a business, it's not taxable. (If you start going to thrift stores and garage sales, to nab stuff for cheap with the intention of reselling them for a profit... Then that's basically a business and you need to register and pay taxes... If you're just selling a few items at the most, no taxes needs to be paid by either party)

 

Most other sensible places follow similar set of rules. The places that don't, are the ones who love robbing their citizens blind. Used item already had taxes paid once on it, meaning they'd be engaged in double taxation, which is completely scummy on their part if they go after any random Joe and his once a year garage sale's "profits" since that ain't his job.

 

But really, we'd need to know where you live to actually tell you more about this... 

[Donut417]

On 7/30/2019 at 5:55 PM, Saksham said:

I am selling my laptop. does the buyer need to pay sales tax? or do I need to pay it?

how does this part work? I want to be sure I am doing things legally

 The only used items in Michigan I know for sure are taxable are cars. With cars the buyer pays 6% on the purchase price in taxes. Though, because of how motor vehicles work here, the state trusts that the seller and buyer fill out the title correctly. For example they dont expect people to pay $6000 for a car but only report they paid $2000 for it. Lets just say the scenario happens a lot. 

[Tristerin]

Me: Its none of the Governments business what you do with an item you purchased and already paid tax on once.  I don't care about the laws.  The burden of proof is on the State.

[Velcade]

21 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Me: Its none of the Governments business what you do with an item you purchased and already paid tax on once.  I don't care about the laws.  The burden of proof is on the State.

can I watch as you explain this to a used car dealer. 

[Tristerin]

1 minute ago, Velcade said:

can I watch as you explain this to a used car dealer. 

Me as an individual (I don't skip taxes on taxable, I just don't involve the government as an individual where its not needed) As a business owner (am) I follow all rules, because "Don't want none, wont be none" kind of thing lol

[Tristerin]

@Velcade you hit 1000 posts, don't ruin it

[Ravendarat]

Thats just ridiculous to be taxing people on goods where tax has already been paid once. When items are bought brand new taxes are paid, there shouldnt be additional after the fact. And to be clear I mean thats what my opinion is, I know thats not the way it works everywhere