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Sales Tax on Boundary Surveys

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(@rpls-2)
Posts: 105
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I had a client question me on why I'm charging him sales tax for a boundary survey. He was nice about it and said he would pay it but his realtor told him he has never heard of a surveyor charging sales tax. Is anyone aware of something semi official I can point him to that says boundary surveying is taxable?

Thanks

 
Posted : 21/09/2017 2:59 pm
(@a-harris)
Posts: 8761
 

Your state's Sales Tax Code and your Sales and Use Tax Permit.
BTW, your license and your permit are supposed to be hanging on your wall at the appropriate location inside your office.
Many people sill quote a price and do the sales tax part out of that amount.
I give a number to budget and hopefully it will not go past that amount and always let client know a.s.a.p. if that number goes up.

 
Posted : 21/09/2017 3:26 pm
(@cameron-watson-pls)
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Texas applies sales tax to professional consulting services?

 
Posted : 21/09/2017 5:23 pm
(@txsurveyor)
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Cameron Watson PLS, post: 447792, member: 11407 wrote: Texas applies sales tax to professional consulting services?

Unfortunately yes. It's a bit of a joke and a pain in the rear. I paid in my sales tax collected for August 1 day late this month and it cost me $275 in penalties. My fault but pretty frustating since I typically pay weeks in advance.
The TSPS was making a push to abolish the sales tax but haven't heard much on it in a few months

 
Posted : 21/09/2017 5:28 pm
(@rpls-2)
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Yeah ok i found it. Page four "Taxable Services" Comptrollers website

 
Posted : 21/09/2017 5:58 pm
(@dave-lindell)
Posts: 1683
 

Are lawyers on that list?

 
Posted : 21/09/2017 6:06 pm
(@stephen-ward)
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Dave Lindell, post: 447805, member: 55 wrote: Are lawyers on that list?

There's a saying about those who make the rules.......so I'd be betting that the answer is NO.

 
Posted : 21/09/2017 6:08 pm
(@cameron-watson-pls)
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TXSurveyor, post: 447794, member: 6719 wrote: Unfortunately yes.

Talk about turning our work into a commodity. Any other states that do this?

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 5:53 am
(@chris-bouffard)
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RPLS#, post: 447777, member: 12280 wrote: I had a client question me on why I'm charging him sales tax for a boundary survey. He was nice about it and said he would pay it but his realtor told him he has never heard of a surveyor charging sales tax. Is anyone aware of something semi official I can point him to that says boundary surveying is taxable?

Thanks

Where I reside professional services are exempt from sales tax. We are selling services, not goods.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 6:52 am
(@aliquot)
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No, sales tax in Alaska.

No sales tax in New Mexico, but there is a gross receipts tax that acts just like a sales tax. Both surveyor and attorney fees are subject to it.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 7:05 am
(@twdotson)
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TXSurveyor, post: 447794, member: 6719 wrote: Unfortunately yes

States that don't have INCOME TAX tend to charge more with a higher percentage and charges in other tax areas.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 7:27 am
(@daniel-ralph)
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No sales tax on our service here in the other Washington. However, we do have a B&O (Business and occupation) tax (1.5%) based on gross income and here in King and Snohomish County we pay dearly for map recording fees. That said, I am not complaining.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 8:01 am
(@chris-bouffard)
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aliquot, post: 447837, member: 2486 wrote: No, sales tax in Alaska.

No sales tax in New Mexico, but there is a gross receipts tax that acts just like a sales tax. Both surveyor and attorney fees are subject to it.

Is the gross receipts tax in addition to the general corporate taxes?

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 8:37 am
(@aliquot)
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Chris Bouffard, post: 447850, member: 12313 wrote: Is the gross receipts tax in addition to the general corporate taxes?

Yes, it works just like a sales tax.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 9:39 am
(@darryl-beard)
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twdotson, post: 447840, member: 8059 wrote: States that don't have INCOME TAX tend to charge more with a higher percentage and charges in other tax areas.

I will gladly charge sales tax if having state income tax is the alternative...

I only charge it on boundary work ...topo and elevation certs are exempt

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 9:53 am
(@loyal)
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Wyoming...NO (not on Professional Services)

5% Sales tax, BUT Food is exempt!
No State Income Tax either!

Loyal

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 10:00 am
(@jimcox)
Posts: 1951
 

Cameron Watson PLS, post: 447831, member: 11407 wrote: Talk about turning our work into a commodity. Any other states that do this?

Not a state, but in New Zealand a 15% "Goods and Services Tax" (aka Government Sponsored Theft or Grab Snatch and Take) is applicable

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 11:04 am
(@jkinak)
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aliquot, post: 447837, member: 2486 wrote: No, sales tax in Alaska.

Nothing statewide in AK but at least one AK Borough has a sales tax on professional services.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 11:13 am
(@jim-in-az)
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Arizona does not tax Professional Services or related work products.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 11:24 am
(@chris-bouffard)
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aliquot, post: 447864, member: 2486 wrote: Yes, it works just like a sales tax.

Sad, here in NJ we are taxed to death, but, not on professional services.

 
Posted : 22/09/2017 12:32 pm
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