Question Regarding CA State Tax

[anthracite]

Hello everyone,

I'll try to be as thorough with the details as possible:

- Mid September I made an impulse purchase on a Glock 19 that was in stock on GrabAGun.com. It was $599.99, and I was charged tax of $46.50 and shipping of $7.99. Grand total was $654.48.

- I had it shipped to an FFL that my wife had used before.

- My impulse buy bit me in the butt as I did not realize I was within my 30 days since I made my last purchase. When the FFL called me the following week after it delivered, I explained to them my situation and they said no problem holding it for 12 days, but said there was a +$30 fee for holding it because of liability insurance.

- My problem now is that as I scheduled to finally go begin the DROS process with them, the FFL said to bring cash/check for $154. I asked why it was so high, and they broke it down as follows: 50.00 to receive 47 to state and 9.5 percent of sales price.

- When I said that I had already paid taxes of $46.50, which I am guessing is the "$47 to the state" they said I quote, "They were not supposed to charge. That's why I stopped doing business with them". However that does not answer the question that I already paid the state tax?

- I had my wife double check her records, and although she paid about the same amount as I am being requested to, she did not pay sales tax when she purchased it online to begin with. So that makes sense.

Any advice would be appreciated. I know $47 isn't much to a lot of people, but what is more important to me is the principle and I want to make sure that I pay the correct amount.

Thank you for your time.

[Skip_Dog]

Do you have the invoice that shows you paid the Ca. Tax? If so, take it with you and they should be happy. You did not buy the gun from the Ca FFL, just the transfer.

[anthracite]

Do you have the invoice that shows you paid the Ca. Tax? If so, take it with you and they should be happy. You did not buy the gun from the Ca FFL, just the transfer.

Yes. I actually forwarded the invoice from GrabAGun to the FFL after we initially spoke on the phone mid-September.

Then when I reconnected with them beginning end of September, was when this confusion began. First I wasn't able to come in after my 30 days was up because the FFL said they needed GrabAGun to confirm a number with them. I was wondering why it wasn't done during the 12 days waiting but I was not in a rush, so didn't make a fuss. After that was resolved, was when the total FFL fees came up and I questioned it.

This has all been via email, in a thread with the original GrabAGun invoice at the top of the email chain. I referenced it when I said I had already paid the CA tax and all I got was the "they shouldn't have done that" statement.

I'm debating on printing it out and bringing it with me to the FFL. But if they demand that I pay the full $154 is there anything I can do about it?

[ronlglock]

[anthracite]

[ugimports]

Similar to Ron, we've been asking our customers for the invoices so we don't have to double collect tax. Not sure why your FFL said they should not be collecting sales tax.. He should be happy they are making his life easier.

[anthracite]

Similar to Ron, we've been asking our customers for the invoices so we don't have to double collect tax. Not sure why your FFL said they should not be collecting sales tax.. He should be happy they are making his life easier.

[anthracite]

Well, here's an update for those interested:

Finally got over there today (about 45 minutes away) and things did not go as I had liked. FFL said I had to pay a whopping $183 (!) to begin the DROS. I was charged an additional $20 again for storage/insurance, even though I have been trying to pick it up since Sept 27. I was still charged CA State tax too, and was told to contact GrabAGun to try to get them to refund me the tax they "weren't supposed to charge me".

All in all, I am definitely not happy with the outcome but I am content that I'm finally starting the DROS process so I can put this crummy situation behind me.

[ugimports]

Well, here's an update for those interested:

Finally got over there today (about 45 minutes away) and things did not go as I had liked. FFL said I had to pay a whopping $183 (!) to begin the DROS. I was charged an additional $20 again for storage/insurance, even though I have been trying to pick it up since Sept 27. I was still charged CA State tax too, and was told to contact GrabAGun to try to get them to refund me the tax they "weren't supposed to charge me".

All in all, I am definitely not happy with the outcome but I am content that I'm finally starting the DROS process so I can put this crummy situation behind me.

Send this to that FFL:

https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/out-of-state-retailers.htm

Beginning April 1, 2019, retailers located outside of California are required to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), collect the California use tax, and pay the tax to the CDTFA based on the amount of their sales into California, even if they do not have a physical presence in the state. For more information please see our online guide, Use Tax Collection Requirements Based on Sales into California Due to the Wayfair Decision.

Maybe at least he'll realize what he's spewing is wrong information moving forward.

[ronlglock]

File for a refund of the duplicate tax:

https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/cdtfa101.pdf

[anthracite]

Send this to that FFL:

https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/out-of-state-retailers.htm

Maybe at least he'll realize what he's spewing is wrong information moving forward.

File for a refund of the duplicate tax:

https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/cdtfa101.pdf

Thank you ugimports/ronlglock, I will look into both these sources of information.