Sales Tax
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 2,328
From: Central UT
I agree that we should only pay sales tax on the amount we paid, for sure. I also thought I'd relate a lesson on this subject that I learned from my father when I was 9 years old.
My parents were into Oldsmobile's - they would get a new one every three years or so. They took delivery of a new one and were selling the old one privately. Both cars were in the garage and I was sitting in the new car looking it over, with the windows down. A man and his son - probably around 12 - came to look at the car and decided to buy it.
As my dad was filling out the title, I heard the man ask him "please fill out the sales price for $500 less so I can save on taxes". My dad had no idea I was listening. Without hesitation, he said: "I won't do that because it would be lying. If it's that important to you I'll reduce the sales price by the difference in the tax amount". This guy had no shame and took him up on it. I remember, even at 9 years old, being so proud of my dad - and I felt sorry for the kid because his dad was a schmuck.
I've never forgotten that lesson. The only sad part is I didn't let my dad know I heard the whole thing and I was proud to be his son. But he knew anyway. Cheers, Paul
My parents were into Oldsmobile's - they would get a new one every three years or so. They took delivery of a new one and were selling the old one privately. Both cars were in the garage and I was sitting in the new car looking it over, with the windows down. A man and his son - probably around 12 - came to look at the car and decided to buy it.
As my dad was filling out the title, I heard the man ask him "please fill out the sales price for $500 less so I can save on taxes". My dad had no idea I was listening. Without hesitation, he said: "I won't do that because it would be lying. If it's that important to you I'll reduce the sales price by the difference in the tax amount". This guy had no shame and took him up on it. I remember, even at 9 years old, being so proud of my dad - and I felt sorry for the kid because his dad was a schmuck.
I've never forgotten that lesson. The only sad part is I didn't let my dad know I heard the whole thing and I was proud to be his son. But he knew anyway. Cheers, Paul
