Yvonne Zanos: Don't lose your shirt on online sales tax
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I was shopping online and am puzzled as to why I am being charged sales tax on clothes, when Pennsylvania does not charge sales tax on clothes. I clicked on the site's FAQ and under "Sales Tax" it stated that Pennsylvania requires applicable taxes charged on orders shipped to Pennsylvania. If I was buying items other than clothes, that would make sense ... but I only purchased a pair of pants. What do I need to do to get back my money?
MELANIE SYKES
Troy Hill
A: You are correct, Melanie. You should not be charged sales tax on clothing items you purchase online from out-of-state stores.
However, there are some exceptions.
"Prom dresses, formal clothing and tuxedos are taxed in Pennsylvania," said Steve Kniley, of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. "Bridal apparel, costumes and furs are also taxed."
Mr. Kniley said that includes accessories and ornamental wear. If you purchase those items over the Internet, you should be taxed just as you would if you bought them in Pittsburgh.
If you've paid sales tax on jeans, shirts or other nontaxed-in-Pennsylvania clothing items, you can get your money back.
You could try calling the company that incorrectly charged you sales tax and ask them to refund your money. That is usually the easiest way. You can also get a refund directly from the state by writing to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Board of Appeals, Department 281021, Harrisburg, PA 17128-1021.
Just so you know, under Pennsylvania law, this sales tax issue goes both ways. If you buy taxable clothing or products via the Internet and are not taxed, you are supposed to pay use tax.
Restaurant gift certificates
It's always a surprise when restaurants that have been around for a long time close their doors. It's more of a surprise for customers who frequented those restaurants for years to find themselves holding worthless gift certificates with no remedies from the owners. The only recourse for consumers is to complain to the Pennsylvania attorney general's office.
Those complaints certainly paid off for consumers holding gift certificates to Poli's in Squirrel Hill. Sixty customers complained and Attorney General Tom Corbett took action. Poli's agreed to pay almost $4,000 to the consumers who complained and agreed to give refunds to other gift certificate holders who file a complaint with the attorney general's office before June 23. You can file a complaint by calling 1-800-441-2555 or you can file a complaint electronically at www.attorneygeneral.gov.
Gift certificate holders for Tivoli restaurant in Penn Hills might want to take their cue from customers of Poli's and file a complaint. It might just pay off for you, too.
First Published May 31, 2006 12:00 am
