Mail order purchases offer a great advantage because you typically do not have to pay state sales tax. The sales tax only applies to purchases from a company having a store in the state the product is to be shipped. The sales tax exemption also applies when mailing the bill to a different state than shipped, even though the item and the bill are mailed to different addresses.

     Keep in mind the sales tax savings may be offset by the cost of shipping the product to you. The final cost may then be the same as when purchased from a store local to you. The convenience of purchasing the same item across town as opposed to across country may be worth spending a few extra dollars.

     Contact your state's Department of Revenue to determine if an amnesty day exists in which certain purchases are sales tax exempt. An example is to exempt the sales tax charged for the purchase of clothes and supplies to help reduce expenses for families before public grade schools open. The savings are valid not just for families, but anyone purchasing the same items.

     If you live near a state that does not have a sales tax, then purchase as much as you can from that state. Ensure the money saved by not paying sales tax is not offset by the cost for traveling the extra distance.


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