I recently had the television on when a commercial for Erie Pennsylvania came on. The commercial extolled the virtues of Erie, and after those five seconds were up, as they still had 25 seconds to fill, they mentioned the shopping.
In Pennsylvania, most clothes do not have sales tax on them. This commercial mentioned "Tax-Free shopping" as being one of the reasons to go to Erie.
As a student of New York State Sales Tax, I know that if I buy clothing in Erie and come back to Rochester, I am liable on Use Tax on it.
Mr Spitzer, why aren't you having these commercials that appear to suggest that New Yorkers break the laws of the state pulled off the air? Or have them explain "Tax-Free Shopping although you are responsible for Use Tax when you get back home..."?
-Zjabs (Rochester's Official Columnist)
© 2003 david zjaba - 9/12/03
