Gun Transfer Fees?

[Vendor Hidden]

Do you have to charge sales tax if the sale is from an OR resident to a WA resident (both are private parties) with both parties in person at your shop and you providing FFL transfer services?

If it is coming across state lines then yes I do.

 

[orygun]

If it is coming across state lines then yes I do.

This makes no sense. I delivered a gun to a man in your store and he paid me. Your shop was only involved with the transfer, not the sale and he paid you for the transfer. Is there tax on the transfer itself?

 

[Vendor Hidden]

This makes no sense. I delivered a gun to a man in your store and he paid me. Your shop was only involved with the transfer, not the sale and he paid you for the transfer. Is there tax on the transfer itself?

No, in fact I can't charge taxes on my fee, but everything else I have to. I know it makes no sense and it's stupid but according to the dept of revenue, when I spoke with them the tax is a "use tax" and not a sales tax (even though it's the same amount). I don't like the law, and Lord knows I agree with you, but I do have to follow it.

 

[etrain16]

No, in fact I can't charge taxes on my fee, but everything else I have to. I know it makes no sense and it's stupid but according to the dept of revenue, when I spoke with them the tax is a "use tax" and not a sales tax (even though it's the same amount). I don't like the law, and Lord knows I agree with you, but I do have to follow it.

Is that new? I've done several private sales in Vancouver over the last couple of years where myself and the other party exchanged cash between ourselves - no tax involved. The only cash to the dealer was the transfer fee, also no tax involved.

 

[Kruel J]

Agreed, I did a transfer in WA state just a few weeks ago and no sales tax was collected. Just the transfer fee.

 

[rupey7]

Agreed, I did a transfer in WA state just a few weeks ago and no sales tax was collected. Just the transfer fee.

Who did you use as your FFL? I don't want to pay a VALUE TAX if I don't have to.

 

[Kruel J]

Tropics Pawn

 

[rupey7]

Good to know thanks!

 

[KKG]

Having been in the business in WA it sounds like Tropic isn't going by the law. According to the Revenue people there are taxes to be paid. I don't like it either but I played the game because I wasn't interested in spending time in Court or paying the penalties OR the possible Jail Time. I've heard this argument for years and I've never seen anyone but the Revenue people win.

 

[Argonaut]

I have wondered about the sales tax issue. Just bought a pistol from CDNN, no sales tax just 35.00 to transfer. Ordered a new (to me) Merkel through Cabelas and I know I will have tax on that but I am paying for it at there local store. I have never been required to pay tax on anything paid for out of state and transferred in.

 

[KKG]

...I have never been required to pay tax on anything paid for out of state and transferred in.

ALL I can say is you have been lucky. I was an FFL Dealer for many years in WA and the State Revenue people required taxes be Collected and paid during all that time. I will admit the laws were changed back and forth but the bottom line was they wanted their fees.

 

[rupey7]

Private party to private party, that tax was already paid once when it was purchased new. All that to say the government will always try for more!

 

[Argonaut]

ALL I can say is you have been lucky. I was an FFL Dealer for many years in WA and the State Revenue people required taxes be Collected and paid during all that time. I will admit the laws were changed back and forth but the bottom line was they wanted their fees.

Yes....I can see that. The way is is supposed to work is if you buy something in a tax free state (like me buying across the river in Oregon) you are supposed to declare it at tax time and pay my state of residence (Idaho) then. It is a personal responsibility written into the law. (At least here in Idaho) The only transaction that you have with the customer is the transfer fee......I don't know why they don't charge tax on that but they don't seem to.

 

[Argonaut]

Private party to private party, that tax was already paid once when it was purchased new. All that to say the government will always try for more!

That sounds logical but doesn't work that way. If that was the case, you wouldn't have to pay sales tax on a used car for instance. Some states have exclusions for casual sales like swap meets or a garage sale that might come into play. The other issue is you can't collect sales tax without having a licence to do so. Then the letter of the law would fall back on the individual to declare the purchase and pony up to the state.

 

[jbett98]

I sure don't see a lot of personal sales tax responsibility from Washingtonian's on my side of I-205.

 

[Argonaut]

The tax issue comes up from time to time in busisness. For instance, if I buy non registered equipment in Oregon.....I am required to declare it to My state and pay the taxes. It becomes a big deal to farmers and other people with expensive purchases like a new tractor or other high dollar transactions. They get there pound when you buy registered equipment (like a truck) at the DMV. I have seen many cases through the years where companies or busisness were busted buying out of state and not declaring the purchase.

 

[Argonaut]

I sure don't see a lot of personal sales tax responsibility from Washingtonian's on my side of I-205.

Off course......most of us just do it and don't even give it a second thought.....sort of like speeding on the highway.......few of us get caught. Might be another reason to use cash as opposed to plastic for purchases......eventually cash hungry states will be able to track your out of state purchases and send you a bill.

 

[rupey7]

Just bought a Colt Trooper from a member on this forum. Tropic in Orchards WA did the NICS transfer for a total of $21. I was in and out in under 20 minutes.
Just as information . . .

 

[accessbob]

I also have used Steve at Adaptive Firing Solutions in Oregon City. He does only charge $20 total for the first 5 and then there's an extra charge after that. I just did a transaction there around a week ago. I think he may have originally done as many as you had for the $20 but realized that his time was worth a bit more. But he does do it to help out more than making the buck. He's very friendly and he also can get you good prices on new guns. I think I paid $700 new for the KSG shotgun when I bought one from him which was a great price at the time. Anyway, I highly recommend him to everyone I know who is searching for a great deal.

 

[WWShooter]

As I understand it (and consistent with my gun buying experience), if the firearm is new to Washington, whether from a business or a private party seller, the FFL doing the transfer must collect the use tax. If the firearm has already been subject to a use tax (i.e., paid when the firearm first came into Washington (and assuming it's being sold by a Washington resident) there is no additional use tax due on a sale within Washington.

And 123 Pawn in WW charges $15 for the transfer.