This article is for information only and is not tax advice.
This article explains how to answer the question "Did you make any purchases online where sales/use tax was not collected?" in Sprintax Returns.
What does this question ask?
The question asks whether you made any purchase where the seller did not charge sales tax or use tax. This applies to purchases you made online, in another state, or in another country.
What is use tax?
Use tax is a state tax on items you buy without paying sales tax at checkout, when you then use the items in your state. It works like a sales tax that you report yourself.
Many states ask you to report use tax on your state tax return. The rules, rates and exemptions vary by state.
How do I know if tax was charged on my purchases?
Check the receipt or invoice for each purchase. If a line shows sales tax, tax was charged. If you are not sure, contact the seller.
How do I answer this question?
The following table shows which answer to select.
| Your situation | Your answer |
|---|---|
| The seller charged sales or use tax on all of your purchases | No |
| At least one purchase did not include sales or use tax | Yes |
| You did not make any online, out-of-state or foreign purchases | No |
If the seller charged tax on all of your purchases, select No. You have already paid that tax to the seller.
Which purchases count?
Think about purchases you made during the tax year. These include the following:
Items you bought online from a seller that did not charge tax
Items you bought in another state or country and brought back to your state