If I sell t-shirts, hats, clothing apparel, etc, from my website which
I run from my apartment located in Philadelphia, PA . . . . do I have
to charge sales tax.

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Clarification of Question by robertxavier-ga on 15 Nov 2005 21:33 PST

If yes, then do I add the sales tax to 
1. just the item 
2. the item plus the additional cost of shipping and handling.

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 15 Nov 2005 22:16 PST

Hi robertxavier,

Please let me know if this information is satisfactory.  If it is I'll
be happy to repost this information as your official answer.

RECIPE 1 - SIMPLE SALES TAX 
  
"Many online stores find it necessary to charge sales tax. Sales tax
is collected by the various states and, typically, is due if the
customer lives in a state in which the online company has an office.
If necessary, an additional charge is applied to the subtotal of the
order. The sales tax is listed in the shopping cart and updated
whenever the shopping cart contents change."

*****

RECIPE 2 - DATABASE-DRIVEN SALES TAX AND SHIPPING  
  
"Applying database-driven charges, like sales tax and shipping,
combines back-end preparation and front-end manipulation. On the
back-end, you'll need to enter records for all the areas you're
selling to in order to present the user with a set list of options.
For example, a database table of states and their respective tax rates
is needed to display a useable drop-down list of states. To handle
shipping charges, you'll also need shipping tables that include data
for every method of shipping you offer to every area; for example, if
you're shipping to New York from California, you'll need different
records for standard, two-day and overnight shipping."

http://www.webassist.com/Products/ProductFeatures.asp?PID=57

Best regards,
tlspiegel

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Clarification of Question by robertxavier-ga on 17 Nov 2005 01:42 PST

That link you gave me appears to be extremely helpful. It will take me
some time to sort through all of that information, but I am pretty
sure that after I work through all of the free e-commerce tutorials
I'll have all of my answers solved. The main question I have now is:

do you know of a good web hosting site

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 17 Nov 2005 08:30 PST

Hi robertxavier,

Thank you for your clarification.  Does this mean you want me to post
in the answer box?

As for a good hosting site - I use personally use PowWeb, not only for
my own site, but for others I manage.  I've had no problems ever, and
if you do need tech support they are very helpful.  Their prices are
excellent too.

No matter who you ask, someone will say they like this or that
webhosting company and all the others suck.  I'm sure every hosting
company has customers who can relate horror stories.  But, that's who
I use and I'm happy.

Best regards,
tlspiegel

---

Clarification of Question by robertxavier-ga on 21 Nov 2005 01:21 PST

Thank you for clarifying that. You have completely answered my question.

Hi robertxavier,

Thank you for requesting I post in the answer box, and also thank you
for your question.


Webassist.com
http://www.webassist.com/Products/ProductFeatures.asp?PID=57

RECIPE 1 - SIMPLE SALES TAX 
  
"Many online stores find it necessary to charge sales tax. Sales tax
is collected by the various states and, typically, is due if the
customer lives in a state in which the online company has an office.
If necessary, an additional charge is applied to the subtotal of the
order. The sales tax is listed in the shopping cart and updated
whenever the shopping cart contents change."

*****

RECIPE 2 - DATABASE-DRIVEN SALES TAX AND SHIPPING  
  
"Applying database-driven charges, like sales tax and shipping,
combines back-end preparation and front-end manipulation. On the
back-end, you'll need to enter records for all the areas you're
selling to in order to present the user with a set list of options.
For example, a database table of states and their respective tax rates
is needed to display a useable drop-down list of states. To handle
shipping charges, you'll also need shipping tables that include data
for every method of shipping you offer to every area; for example, if
you're shipping to New York from California, you'll need different
records for standard, two-day and overnight shipping."

=========

As for a good hosting site - I use personally use PowWeb, not only for
my own site, but for others I manage.  I've had no problems ever, and
if you do need tech support they are very helpful.  Their prices are
excellent too.

No matter who you ask, someone will say they like this or that
webhosting company and all the others suck.  I'm sure every hosting
company has customers who can relate horror stories.  But, that's who
I use and I'm happy.

=========


Best regards,
tlspiegel

For a business in PA you will need to obtain a sales tax license
number so you can collect sales tax and pay it over to the state. More
information and registration is available on:
http://www.revenue.state.pa.us

You will charge sales tax only to orders for customers who collect the
order from you in PA, or if you ship it to a PA address. Tax is
collected on the item, not shipping and handling.