How I Scored a Fabulous Deal from the Comfort of My Easy Chair

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by NoDoz

From what my CA said.. Yes, the tax rate is derived from the state the car is purchased.

Negative. Pennsylvania has a use tax in which the difference between the out-of-state tax and the Pa. sales tax has to be covered. Some excerpts from the friendly folks at the Pa. Dep't Revenue:

Use Tax is the counterpart of Sales Tax
and applies to Internet, mail order,
out-of-state, toll-free “800” numbers,
and other purchases of taxable items when PA
Sales Tax has not been paid.

Q: Are individuals liable for Use Tax?

A: Yes. Individuals who purchase taxable products or
services from an out-of-state location, foreign
country, or within the state where no tax was paid,
are responsible to pay Use Tax on the purchase if
no tax was paid to the vendor. Allegheny and
Philadelphia local Use Tax would also be due if
the purchases are used in those counties. Use Tax
liabilities can be reported on a Use Tax Return
(PA-1) form.

Q: Is there a credit for tax paid on an item
in another state?

A: Yes. Pennsylvania grants a credit for tax paid to
another state, provided the tax is legally due and
paid. For example, if a Pennsylvania resident purchases
and takes delivery of a taxable item in
Maryland and pays a 5 percent tax there, the purchaser
would be liable for reporting and remitting the
1 percent difference (Use Tax) which is due to
Pennsylvania upon the use of the property in
Pennsylvania. Credit against Use Tax is NOT
granted for Value Added Taxes or Sales Taxes
paid to foreign countries. Also, taxes paid to the
Federal Government, such as Customs Duties,
cannot be claimed as a credit against Use Tax.


Q:How do I know what is taxable?

A: All purchases or leases of tangible personal property
and services of items are taxable unless the item
qualifies for exemption from tax. Generally, purchases
of food from grocery stores, medications,
and clothing for everyday wear qualify for exemption
from tax. See Retailers’ Information Guide
(REV-717) for examples of taxable items. If in
doubt, contact the Taxpayer Service and Information
Center at (717) 787-1064.


Q: How do I report and pay Use Tax?

A: Use Tax liabilities can be reported on a PA-1 Form.
The Use Tax Return (PA-1) and full remittance is
due on, or before, the 20th day of the month after
the month in which the purchase was made. PA-1
forms may be ordered from the Department’s 24-
hour toll-free FACT & Information Line at 1-888-
PATAXES (728-2937); within the local Harrisburg
area call (717) 772-9739; download the form from
the Internet at www.revenue.state.pa.us; or contact
the Taxpayer Service and Information Center
at (717) 787-1064.

Q: What if Use Tax is not paid?

A: The Department can identify those who owe Use
Tax by various methods. These include routine
audits, self-assessment programs, complaints,
investigations, and by obtaining lists of out-of-state
purchases through the cooperation of vendors and
other states.
The PA Department of Revenue may issue an
assessment for a Use Tax liability. Both penalty
and interest charges shall be imposed.

http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/reven...e/rev-1748.pdf

[NoDoz]

Thats interesting. Sorry for the misinformation.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by NoDoz

Thats interesting. Sorry for the misinformation.

It may differ from state-to-state, too -- that's just for Pennsylvania.

[TSXto128]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

It may differ from state-to-state, too -- that's just for Pennsylvania.

Thanks for the info. It took me awhile to figure this out independently. I knew it was too good to be true. Damnit PA!

Another thing that annoys me about PA is it doesn't allow alcohol to be sold in grocery stores, and they separate the wine stores from the beer stores!! Damn vestiges of Quaker law.

We're so backwards here.

[enigma135]

We're the same down here in Maryland TSX....In Montgomery county its all county run liquor stores and seperate beer and wine shops...Though i guess thats not statewide like you all up in PA

[Fwapsk]

In Mass, you pay sales tax when you register the car. So you can't buy out of state and skip that tax.

[TSXto128]

Originally Posted by enigma135

We're the same down here in Maryland TSX....In Montgomery county its all county run liquor stores and seperate beer and wine shops...Though i guess thats not statewide like you all up in PA

that's ass backwards. ive lived in nYc and NOVA, and those are both civilized places where you can buy alcohol in one location. PA needs to recognize.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by TSXto128

that's ass backwards. ive lived in nYc and NOVA, and those are both civilized places where you can buy alcohol in one location. PA needs to recognize.

They're running a "great experiment" at a handful of grocery stores (one or two in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia,) where they located the State Liquor Store inside the grocery store. Just as a trial run. To see how it works.

Of course, you still can't pay for everything at once -- you have to walk into the State Store section inside the grocery store, but I suppose we should thank the lord for at least this small progress.

(Of course, this doesn't apply to beer. Only liquor. Apparently, it's perfectly okay to be able to buy hard liquor in a grocery store, but if beer was available, there'd be rioting in the streets or something. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that beer distributors are all privately owned, but liquor is only available from the state monopoly stores.)

[singular]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

They're running a "great experiment" at a handful of grocery stores (one or two in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia,) where they located the State Liquor Store inside the grocery store. Just as a trial run. To see how it works.

Of course, you still can't pay for everything at once -- you have to walk into the State Store section inside the grocery store, but I suppose we should thank the lord for at least this small progress.

(Of course, this doesn't apply to beer. Only liquor. Apparently, it's perfectly okay to be able to buy hard liquor in a grocery store, but if beer was available, there'd be rioting in the streets or something. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that beer distributors are all privately owned, but liquor is only available from the state monopoly stores.)

I heard somewhere that we have the prohibition to thank for all this state-specific nonsense. When prohibition was repealed, the only way the repeal could pass was to allow each state to determine it's own laws.

That's why PA has state stores. NC has "ABC" stores and dry counties, Wisconsin 16 year-olds can drink beers with their parents and California groceries sell Petron in the aisles between the avocado products and the tofu products.:biggrin:

[TSXto128]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

They're running a "great experiment" at a handful of grocery stores (one or two in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia,) where they located the State Liquor Store inside the grocery store. Just as a trial run. To see how it works.

Of course, you still can't pay for everything at once -- you have to walk into the State Store section inside the grocery store, but I suppose we should thank the lord for at least this small progress.

(Of course, this doesn't apply to beer. Only liquor. Apparently, it's perfectly okay to be able to buy hard liquor in a grocery store, but if beer was available, there'd be rioting in the streets or something. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that beer distributors are all privately owned, but liquor is only available from the state monopoly stores.)

I think you're on to something. All the owners of beer stores would lose their business if everything were to consolidate, but even considering that, I don't think Pennsylvanians should continue to live in such a primitive fashion.

I was wondering if anyone recently was able to purchase a 135i for close to invoice or slightly above? I know I ask like every month but during these turbulent times, I'm looking for just the right moment to strike.

[singular]

Originally Posted by TSXto128

I think you're on to something. All the owners of beer stores would lose their business if everything were to consolidate, but even considering that, I don't think Pennsylvanians should continue to live in such a primitive fashion.

I was wondering if anyone recently was able to purchase a 135i for close to invoice or slightly above? I know I ask like every month but during these turbulent times, I'm looking for just the right moment to strike.

invoice + $500 for an '09 = slightly above?

I suspect you can get below invoice on '08s right now.

[TSXto128]

Originally Posted by singular

invoice + $500 for an '09 = slightly above?

I suspect you can get below invoice on '08s right now.

do you or anyone else have a crystal ball into whether 09's will be at or below invoice? Any predictions based on information would be appreciated.

[Chewyjr15]

i payed invoice plus about 800 it was the best deal i found ad i took it

[TSXto128]

Originally Posted by Chewyjr15

i payed invoice plus about 800 it was the best deal i found ad i took it

what was the 800?

edit: now that im away from work i can write more. What did the ad say? I would be happy if I could get invoice or a little below. I know some dealerships are paying interest on unsold cars, so if push comes to shove, they might be willing to sell me a car with a low profit margin just to get rid of it.

[singular]

Originally Posted by TSXto128

do you or anyone else have a crystal ball into whether 09's will be at or below invoice? Any predictions based on information would be appreciated.

No crystal balls, same info everyone else has.

I had no problems getting invoice+$500 using the painless "payne method", but I didn't try anything lower. Just like stocks - you'll never be able to pick the bottom. I'm very satisfied with what I got.

My comment about '08 models came from knowing there is plenty of inventory left - check out the dealership websites. Every '08 on the lot on January 1st is going to look like a used car and probably sell for a deep discount. If it's another bad year, the '09 inventory may be in a similar situation in Dec. '09.

So if your willing to wait another year...

[TSXto128]

Originally Posted by singular

No crystal balls, same info everyone else has.

I had no problems getting invoice+$500 using the painless "payne method", but I didn't try anything lower. Just like stocks - you'll never be able to pick the bottom. I'm very satisfied with what I got.

My comment about '08 models came from knowing there is plenty of inventory left - check out the dealership websites. Every '08 on the lot on January 1st is going to look like a used car and probably sell for a deep discount. If it's another bad year, the '09 inventory may be in a similar situation in Dec. '09.

So if your willing to wait another year...

thanks. I will probably try to buy soon and my goal is to break the record at 1addicts for lowest price paid! I am not desperate and have time on my side, so I will be sure to play this game the way it should be played.

Now the 08s are cheaper, but if I were to sell it in a few years, will I lose more money in the end since it's a 1-year model? If I recall, there aren't many substantive differences between 08 and 09 other than the year moniker.

[dortega]

I got $500 over ED invoice w/ base acquisition and only ED adder. Waiting for re-delivery.

[MOCKBA]

Singular, it looks like your car is fully loaded, what's MSRP? Around $56,000? I am also curious about weather package, is it full weather package with trunk pass through, or just heated seats?

[Reach]

Anyone having luck with 0.9 or 1.9 financing this month? (Specifically for 09 cars.) I am getting the runaround that there are 0 financing incentives for 09 1s in December, only 08s. My dealer recommends to wait until Jan 3 to check Jan rates. Just wondering if this is done on a dealer-by-dealer basis and I need to make more calls, or if its something more universal.

[singular]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

Singular, it looks like your car is fully loaded, what's MSRP? Around $56,000? I am also curious about weather package, is it full weather package with trunk pass through, or just heated seats?

MRSP is $52K and change. Full cold weather package.

I assume your from "Mocba", I use to live there in the late '90s.

Love to see a photo of a 1er rolling down Tverskaya.

[MOCKBA]

I use to live there in 80s when Tverskaya had name Gorkogo. Now you can see much better cars rolling down, however verts are very unpracticle there since long winter season.

[Chewyjr15]

Anyone having luck with 0.9 or 1.9 financing this month? (Specifically for 09 cars.) I am getting the runaround that there are 0 financing incentives for 09 1s in December, only 08s. My dealer recommends to wait until Jan 3 to check Jan rates. Just wondering if this is done on a dealer-by-dealer basis and I need to make more calls, or if its something more universal.

Yesterday i went to take my gf for a test drive in a 135 to see if she could fit in the back, while test driving i played dumb and was asking allot of questions and the ca said that 09's can be had with 0.9% financing. On a side note she fit in the back and said when i gunned it the seats cradled her, so shes on board!