Selling Through Facebook Group

[MSimpson80]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oklahoma

I am part of a group of ladies that have an online "garage sale" page through Facebook. We meet on a certain day and exchange the items with the person who wants them. We have recently been told that we have to have a tax number and charge sales tax on these items. Is there anyone out there that can clarify this? We don't own a business or anything that like, it's simply unwanted items from our homes. It's the same as posting it on craigslist and selling that way. Any information would help. TIA

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oklahoma

I am part of a group of ladies that have an online "garage sale" page through Facebook. We meet on a certain day and exchange the items with the person who wants them. We have recently been told that we have to have a tax number and charge sales tax on these items. Is there anyone out there that can clarify this? We don't own a business or anything that like, it's simply unwanted items from our homes. It's the same as posting it on craigslist and selling that way. Any information would help. TIA

Told by who?

 

[MSimpson80]

Long story short there was an issue because people decided to set up and sell at the park we meet at. Almost like they were having a yard sale. Police were called and told that vendors were set up and selling. We were told that we could not be there since someone was actually selling. So we as a group are going through the city manager/city attorney and parks and rec people to make sure we are doing everything right as far as permission and all that. They, as in city manager/attorney have said it's ok to be there but they think that we have to have a tax id to even meet there to deliver items. Even the tax commission can't say if we do or not because they've never seen this issue come up.

 

[single317dad]

Oklahoma does not provide an exemption for occasional or casual sales in their sales tax code. That means that per the letter of the law, you should be collecting sales tax and remitting it to the state department of revenue. You're also supposed to pay sales tax on your garage sale. Ridiculous? Yes, and you should lobby your legislature to get in line with the 47 states that have this exemption.