Photographer charging sales tax on service and photo albums. Is that the norm

[diamondheart]

I am in SF bay area and have seen some photographers charging sales tax on top of their prices. Is this the norm? I thought services aren't taxed and maybe just the photoalbums could be taxed.

Are the tax laws different here in California than other states?

 

[Selkie]

My Massachusetts based photographer is charging tax (I think 5%).

 

[sumbride]

They have to. The only exception is if you get someone out of state. I.E. my wedding is in Arkansas but my Arkansas photographer is billing it as Texas, where my mom (who writes the checks) lives.

 

[kev_800]

You''re right -- the photographer shouldn''t be taxing the photography ''service''........ only the sale of the product -- the photo book.

If he/she is in fact doing that, I would bet you the extra % is just going straight into his/her pocket.

 

[sumbride]

I''m not in CA, but you''re not just paying for the "service" right? You will get something out of it, be it digital images or actual prints? That would be taxable wouldn''t it?

 

[zoebartlett]

All of the photographers we''re looking at in Maine charge 5% in addition to the services and things they provide. I believe it''s standard.

 

[Clio]

This is something that will vary according to state - and in some cases, local - sales tax laws. A brief look at the state of California''s website indicates that photographers must, indeed, charge sales tax on their services.

 

[snlee]

My bay area photographer charged tax.

 

[Kit]

I am sure that if your photog is charging sales taxes, then he is required to by law. I am pretty sure, as a public administration student, that charging taxes and then pocketing the $$ is highly illegal.

Service taxes vary from state to state and locality to locality. These could be taxes that fund city, county or state services. If you really want to know, I would contact those three governments and ask them if they impose a services tax on photographers. Try the finance departments, or departments of revenue.

Overall, try not to be so plussed. Photography services are somewhat of a luxury item and a tax on services is highly progressive, meaning those who can and do afford to hire a photog can also afford to pay the tax--i.e. it is not burdensome. Better than a tax on food or clothing! Believe it or not, the people who thought up the idea to tax these services probably spent a lot of time on their decision.