Washington Private firearm sale. Taxed by FFL?

[Lilhigbee]

If any business is collecting "sales tax" and not passing it on to the state, the Department of Revenue would like to know about it so they can explain the words "fraud" and "fines" and "jail" to said business.

 

[MDL]

Thanks for the interesting and knowledgeable thread. I knew WA was shifty but...

 

[Nutknocka]

If the selling party enclosed a copy of their drivers license, you should not have had to pay tax. WA is clear on this. However, If an out of state FFL was brokering the deal, and their FFL license was enclosed in the package, but no drivers license from the seller, you get dinged on tax. FFL to FFL gets taxed. Private party sending directly to WA FFL does not, as long as sellers ID copy enclosed.

BUT, some FFLs in WA that I know of, collect sales tax on guns mailed from private parties out of state, even though they are not required to. I think many of them are pocketing this cash for themselves. They base the tax on the actual price paid, or the estimated value of the gun, or the value difference of the guns if it was a trade. An agreed upon bill of sale (or trade) between the seller and buyer can be invaluable when enclosed with the firearm if you are dealing with a greedy WA FFL.

You can report erroneous collection of sales/use tax to the Department of Revenue. There's even a form for it. They will ask that you work with the vendor to try and get a refund first, but if you say the vendor refused, they can get involved.

Be advised this won't get you out of paying the tax, because it still owed to the state, but you can get the FFL in trouble if they've been illegally pocketing the tax because the DOR will know if they actually turned it over to the state like they're required to do.

 

[ZigZagZeke]

I just feel super screwed over by this. But then again I should be use to it living in wa state.

You bought it for $1.

 

[Outdoorlife]

UPDATE:
I pushed back when I went to pick up the gun and showed them the section on the Washington State Department of Revenue website that states.....
Licensed Washington dealers are not required to collect Washington use tax on:

• transfers between private parties or other unlicensed persons

I also brought up what a member here had said. I asked them how they planned to put the sale of that firearm on their bottom dollar at the end of the year considering they were charging me tax on it.
This is the final note that won my argument and I was REFUNDED the tax I was charged. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Knobgoblin]

I just feel super screwed over by this. But then again I should be use to it living in wa state.

Just ask Jay and silent Bob to take it off your car tabs next time.
Washington would tax your taxes if they could find a way.

I've personally paid this tax every time I got a gun shipped from individuals, in state or out.

 

[WAW44]

I've personally paid this tax every time I got a gun shipped from individuals, in state or out.

That's not WA's doing, that's your FFL screwing you.

 

[Knobgoblin]

That's not WA's doing, that's your FFL screwing you.

Cabelas was the first one(go figure)

My local smith got me last time, but he said it was due to out of state. I like the guy and wouldn't bother bruising our good vibes over $30 . He's possibly mistaken, but I don't really care that much.

 

[xrik]

I use Precise Shooter in Lynnwood, and Bullseye in Tacoma. Never charged tax by either on state transfers where firearms was being shipped in from out of state, including Gunbroker.

Again, find a different FFL and know the law.

Gunbroker is now charging tax, at least the ones shipping from a FFL. Most of the auctions I have seen lately state "Sales Tax collected based on ship to address."