Why is there sales tax on USED firearms?

There is also sales tax on used cars, boats, vintage clothes at a thrift shop, etc.

It’s the American way I guess.

Stay safe.

As far as I know sales taxes are local by state usually or can be by city. It depends on the local laws. They sure can be confusing and not fair in states that have them.
Yes when you vote in folks that want to promise free stuff it's not free. They tax you anyway they can.

Keep voting for those who want to give benefit to all and you will pay even more sales tax. Beware of the Value added Tax as they will add a tax every time material changes hands.

I don't know how other states do things but in Missouri, if you have any type of business that sells products, you have to register with the state. When you register your business with the state of Missouri, you have to have a tax ID number and you have to then pay all city, county, and state sales tax on anything you sell through your business. It doesn't matter if what you sell is new or used. The government is going to get their cut anyway they can.

You did not have to pay sales tax if the gold coin you (purchased) was a US coin because you can not really purchase US currency, you just traded money for money and that is not technically a purchase. However on everything else the government wants their share.

The short answer .......... Because we're being bent over as usual.

orpington said:

I never really understood this...

Someone somewhere probably already paid sales tax on it at the point of original sale. It seems like that if a firearm changed hands enough times, the sales tax might be more than the total value of the gun.

Plus, if I buy a second hand gold coin, let's say an 1882 $5 gold piece, I don't have to pay sales tax on that.

But, on the other hand, I have a skeleton clock probably dating from the 1850's I bought a few years ago for my wife, as she liked it, and I paid a few hundred dollars for that, and did have to pay sales tax on that.

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You do if you bought that from a dealer with a Tax ID#...Only place for no sales tax is for private, face to face, sales..

UPDATE-didn't know this.

You did not have to pay sales tax if the gold coin you (purchased) was a US coin because you can not really purchase US currency, you just traded money for money and that is not technically a purchase. However on everything else the government wants their share.

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AND..State and local taxes..no federal sales taxes..a federal VAT will never happen.

Well at least you only pay the excise tax on firearms once.

orpington said:

Someone somewhere probably already paid sales tax on it at the point of original sale.

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It's not a VAT (Value Added Tax), or a Excise Tax on newly produced goods. It's a Sales Tax. . . on Sales.

If you're objecting to the idea that a voluntary transaction between parties is intruded upon by the State. . . I can hear that. I don't think you can reasonably object that the intrusion is deceptively named in this case.

Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman

(If you drive a car, car)
I'll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit)
I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold)
I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk)
I'll tax your feet

Taxman!

Courtesy of the Beatles

Omaha-BeenGlockin said:

Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman

(If you drive a car, car)
I'll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit)
I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold)
I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk)
I'll tax your feet

Taxman!

Courtesy of the Beatles

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Humorous considering their politics.

Local commercial range started charging tax on lane rental and match fees.
I said you are not supposed to charge sales tax on services.
Proprietor said, "Oh, it's not sales tax, it is an "entertainment tax" that just happens to be the same rate as sales tax."

I understand a sales tax on a sale, new or used. What always got to me was when I already owned something, had paid tax on it and then had to pay tax on it again - Yep, many states tax you on a car that you already own, if you are bringing it into that state and registering it there for the first time. In some it is the same for a boat.

Bob

Kentucky recently started taxing everything related to a good or service when a transaction occurs. We now pay tax on mechanic's labor, veterinary services, bowling lane rental, you name it. They didn't raise the base rate of 6% just added the tax to nearly everything sold, including internet transactions.

You pay sales tax to feed the Beast, but I have had the tax forgiven for firearms more than anything else.

So when buying firearms used I always expect a little better than sticker price.

Over the life of durable goods, depending on turnover rate and appreciation, states can get tax revenue nearing the original cost. As far as firearms go, buy from individuals FTF and the state sees nothing.

I have a bigger issue with paying tax on property I already own, every damned year. If I don't pay it, they put a lien on said property and eventually seize it.

Grandpa Shooter said:

Kentucky recently started taxing everything related to a good or service when a transaction occurs. We now pay tax on mechanic's labor, veterinary services, bowling lane rental, you name it. They didn't raise the base rate of 6% just added the tax to nearly everything sold, including internet transactions.

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Does that include essential items like medicines and basic food stuffs like bread, milk, eggs, etc?

As stated above, sales taxes are the purview of state and local governments. So is property tax. Therefore, all questions regarding sales tax should be directed to the state or local government demanding such payments. Good luck getting a straight answer rather than circumlocution or perhaps 'because we said so"

Stop using the words; *sales tax* personally and instead use *transactional tax* and an internal clarity will ensue.

It's not about the item other than quantification, it's about the activity and hyper-focussing gives one insight into the motives and intents of our *betters*.

Too, stop thinking of fees and licenses in those terms but rather, use *priveledge-tax* in almost every instance and still more clarity will follow.

Jaded and simplified yet valid none the less.

Look how many times a dollar gets hacked upon from the moment an employer sets aside the funds ultimately intended for your pocket. Most people don't know - but it is staggering to find the front money to pay an employee an over-the-table wage. We just let ourselves forget about it in myriad; fees, taxes, licensing and matching funds.

Todd.

It's always interesting trying to rationalize the WHY with anything to do with TAXES. Bottom line, most of the tax laws make zero sense. Yes, I used to be a bean counter before moving into IT. The Guberment would tax at 99% if they thought they could get away with it.

That's why you need to live in a state that has no income tax. At least with sales tax you can decide if you want the item or not. It adds about 10% for a new or used firearm here. Private sale can dodge that if you FTF transfer with your dealer. I've done a few like that.

Or, here in FL, you do a FTF transaction in a parking lot with no FFL involved

ozarkhillbilly said:

You did not have to pay sales tax if the gold coin you (purchased) was a US coin because you can not really purchase US currency, you just traded money for money and that is not technically a purchase. However on everything else the government wants their share.

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That is very much location dependent. A number of states do charge sales tax on gold coins, bullion, and paper money, even if it is US minted, if they are bought or sold for more than face value because they are no longer considered currency but a commodity.

Taxing any good or service is pretty common fare. If used goods were exempted you would get into a very gray area trying to show sources of inventory especially for hard goods like firearms and appliances.