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eBay sellers Told to Include GST

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the what-about-sales-tax dept.

noisymime writes "The Age is running a story on how The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has requested eBay Australia to enforce the inclusion of the GST on all sales/auctions. Previously this was recommended but not a requirement. Is this reasonable protection for buyers or simply a frustration for everyone? What about all the other sales and auction sites available to Australians?" Moreover, how will this apply to other countries with GSTs - or sales tax?

12 of 271 comments (clear)

  1. Yard Sales.. by WhatAmIDoingHere · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Are we going to have to start charging tax on purchases at our Yard/Tag/Garage sales?

    --
    Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
    1. Re:Yard Sales.. by syousef · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Are we going to have to start charging tax on purchases at our Yard/Tag/Garage sales?

      In Australia that's exactly what you're required by law to do.

      Tax system here is a goddamn joke.

      (It's worse for land. You're charged income tax on the money you use to buy the land, stamp duty when you buy, land tax every year by the state government, and land rates by the local council every quarter. Then when you sell the property there's a vendor tax. If you've made any money by renting it out that's more income tax you've got to pay.).

      --
      These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
  2. Sigh... by kunwon1 · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Methinks that the international nature of the /. audience needs to be considered before posting new items. Am I the only one who doesn't know what this is? Probably not.

    --
    Specialization is for insects. -Heinlein
  3. But GST has already been paid for! by datafr0g · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Chances are that most stuff on eBay in Australia was purchased in Australia and therefore GST would have already been paid for on the item.

    So why should anyone pay GST on second hand goods?

    --
    "Who says nothing is impossible? Some people do it every day!" - Alfred E. Neuman
  4. READ THE ARTICLE! by skywire · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Before all the indignant venting begins, please allow me to suggest that you take a moment to read the article.

    --
    Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
  5. Re:Not "all sales/auctions" by Bigthecat · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Too busy jumping on the sensational headlines. If this were about the tax, why would it be a consumer protection group asking Ebay? It's just about making sure the consumer isn't confused when they use auctions that charge the GST after the auction to get a little extra profit, business or not. This doesn't mean that every personal auction needs to charge and register for the GST.

  6. Re:Make them include postage! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    That wouldn't work because the postage often depends on where you live, particuarly for international postage

    However, I get sick of people charging way over standard postage and calling it 'handling'. Handling fees are a cost of doing business and should therefore be added into the sale price. Now if eBay tightened up these rules I would be happy. Something along the lines of 'postage fees may not be more than 30% above actual charges up to $10, and no more than 15% above).

  7. Re:Piggy bank by LnxAddct · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why should all transactions be taxed? (Not sure about your country) But here in the states, we already get local, state and federal taxes taken out of our pay (in addition to many other taxes and fees) and in addition to that we still pay state and local sales tax. In Philadelphia its 7% which is ridiculous, in New York it is something like 9 or 10% and then in some states like Delaware there is no sales tax because Delaware has its government and budget in such good check with business's income and taxes that they don't need to burden their residents with additional and unnecessary taxes (granted their real estate tax isn't that low iirc). Perhaps instead of you trying to justify the government taking more and more of our money, the government (and this goes for all governments of the world that I've seen) should start trying to justify taking more of our money rather then them having to watch expenses and spending carefully.
    Regards,
    Steve

  8. Missing the point by speeDDemon+(nw) · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The Australian government isnt forcing EBAY to charge tax, and it isnt forcing anyone to pay tax. All they are stating, is that IF the item being sold has a tax portion, that is must be INCLUDED in the bidding price.

    Eg. under IT goods on ebay, many computer stores sell items, and they provide 'tax invoices' on the goods. However many also used to have a little 'note' in their payment section stating that the FINAL sale price was 'bid' price + 10% (GST).

    This can be frustrating for bidders who have to look at all the 'fine print' trying to ensure that when they bid on a $1000 item + $20 freight they dont get charge $1122 for the sale.

    --
    DSLIP Web Design and Content Management Australia.
  9. YOU COULD POST THAT TO *ANY* STORY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I'm just saying.

  10. Re:Make them include postage! by Vegeta99 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I sure don't.

    USA Package: Fill out address, go to Post Office, stamp, pay, done.

    Int'l Package: Fill out address, go to Post Office, fill out a million forms for the Customs office, pay dues, check with bank to make sure international payment wasn't fraudulent.. send package, hope customs doesn't eat it.. .etc...

  11. Re:'Cause I'm the Tax Man by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Ah, yes, one of their best songs (actually, one of many, but this isn't alt.fan.beatles..)
    Interesting to note that this was written at a time when they'd become very successful and wealthy as a result, and the realisation was dawning that punitive rates of tax under a socialist government were not in fact a recipe for universal happiness.. "smash the elite" palls somewhat as a rallying-cry when you, through your own talent and hard work, have become the elite..
    [/end rant]