California post-production tax exemption

[starcrash13]

Being tax season and all, I just thought I would remind our Cailfornia brothers and sisters-in-arms that we get a 5.25% sales tax exemption on all post-related retail purchases. Most decent retailers should have the required forms or you can download the PDF from the Board of Equalization.

[rainsinvelvet]

yup, I bought my GatesStaLevel from Mercenary and took advantage of this one!

ERic

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by rainsinvelvet

yup, I bought my GatesStaLevel from Mercenary and took advantage of this one!

ERic

I'm a little confused on this one. I thought it was a sales tax deduction applied to Ca sales tax.
Now that I think about it what in the world is Mercenary doing selling a Gates Sta-Level? Maybe you meant someone else?

[rainsinvelvet]

Oops!
Vintage King that is..
That will teach me not to type on gearsluts, tend to my 5 month old, watch tv, ect...

ERic

[starcrash13]

I'm a little confused on this one. I thought it was a sales tax deduction applied to Ca sales tax.

Just to be clear, the tax break is applied at the point of purchase. I was just going through some of last years receipts for tax purposes and thought I would share with the gang in case someone doesn't know or forgot. I certainly bought a fair amount of gear before I found about this. You would think that the sales-folks at the shops would be more on top of this to use as an incentive to get customers to buy stuff locally.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by starcrash13

Being tax season and all, I just thought I would remind our Cailfornia brothers and sisters-in-arms that we get a 5.25% sales tax exemption on all post-related retail purchases. Most decent retailers should have the required forms or you can download the PDF from the Board of Equalization.

One of my fav tax breaks

[ssprod19]

who exactly does tax exemption apply to?

[Rick Sanchez]

Originally Posted by ssprod19

who exactly does tax exemption apply to?

If you do post production in California and purchase post-production related equipment, you only pay 3.25% sales tax. You MUST request the form from your vendor and fill it out. They turn it in, but it is point of sale so make sure you ask for the form. If you are purchasing any gear at all, it can save you a bundle.

Here in Los Angeles, I know that RSPE, A.I.D. and West L.A. Music all have forms on hand.

I believe you need to be incorporated but I could be wrong about that.

[kk@jamsync.com]

Originally Posted by starcrash13

Being tax season and all, I just thought I would remind our Cailfornia brothers and sisters-in-arms that we get a 5.25% sales tax exemption on all post-related retail purchases. Most decent retailers should have the required forms or you can download the PDF from the Board of Equalization.

You are sooooo lucky. Nashville, TN charges 9.25% sales or use tax (use is if you buy something out of state). Plus our "personalty" tax never goes below assessment of 33% of the original value, with things like couches included in this mess.

[Big Andy]

Rick is spot on here. The tax exemption DOES NOT apply after the point of purchase. So if you bought an HD rig at West LA music or RSPE and didn't fill out a form that asks your Business / Name / Position / Address..... you missed your chance.

If you DO do business in LA and haven't been sent the City of Los Angeles Business Tax forms or Renewal forms go to City Hall or the Tax office on Van Nuys soon. You need to report your earnings to the city for tax consideration. If you made more than 100k this year you will be taxed. If under 100k, you are safe but may be penalized if you report it to late (March 1st was the deadline).

I got a bill from the city last year saying I owed them 80k in taxes. I nearly crapped my pants. I went to the city office and the lady asked me what I had made for the year and she said I didn't owe anything.... it's just an intimidating letter they send out to get people to come in. Whew!

[Bill@AudioVision]

Originally Posted by Rick Sanchez

I believe you need to be incorporated but I could be wrong about that.

No, I'm a One-man-band (Sole-Prop) and I've been able to take the tax break. Saved big time when I bought that Fairlight thingy in December.
If you are buying anything related to post - cameras, projectors, mics, computers, software - you should be able to take the deduction as long as you fill the form at time of purchase. If you're thinking about last year, and you didn't fill out the form, it's too late.
Below is a link to the form you need... just fill it out when you purchase.
Post Production Tax Form

[Rick Sanchez]

Originally Posted by Bill@AudioVision

No, I'm a One-man-band (Sole-Prop) and I've been able to take the tax break.
Below is a link to the form you need... just fill it out when you purchase.
Post Production Tax Form

Bill..thanks for that information...that will make a lot of people happy. And your new fairlight rig looks great. Nice job on that.

[danijel]

Originally Posted by starcrash13

Being tax season and all

So, is this the stuff you worry about when you become a millionaire, haha?
Congrats for the MPSE win and the Oscar nomination!

[ggegan]

Originally Posted by Big Andy

Rick is spot on here. The tax exemption DOES NOT apply after the point of purchase. So if you bought an HD rig at West LA music or RSPE and didn't fill out a form that asks your Business / Name / Position / Address..... you missed your chance.

Actually, I have gotten refunds from Apple and other companies after the fact by sending the form in to them weeks after I bought something. But I think the point is that you deal with the retailer to get the exemption, not the government.

[kirkbross]

I went to Guitar Center and they told me I had to fill out the form on my own and bring it in... does anyone know where to download the right form for the California post-production tax exemption?

[dr.sound]

Originally Posted by kirkbross

I went to Guitar Center and they told me I had to fill out the form on my own and bring it in... does anyone know where to download the right form for the California post-production tax exemption?

If you don't know how to "Google" you aren't allowed the tax break:

http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/reg1532.pdf

[minister]

Originally Posted by kirkbross

I went to Guitar Center and they told me I had to fill out the form on my own and bring it in... does anyone know where to download the right form for the California post-production tax exemption?

Let me topeka that for you

[dr.sound]

Minister,
YOU KILL ME AGAIN!thumbsup

[TVPostSound]

Originally Posted by kirkbross

I went to Guitar Center and they told me I had to fill out the form on my own and bring it in... does anyone know where to download the right form for the California post-production tax exemption?

If you want to get the exemption at GC, you should see a GC Pro, they will give you the form to fill out.
If you are indeed a "pro" then you shouldn't be buying from the counter.

GC Pro : Account Managers & Staff


If you are in the LA area, there are better outlets than GC, like WLA Music.

[iluvcapra]

Originally Posted by TVPostSound

If you want to get the exemption at GC, you should see a GC Pro, they will give you the form to fill out.
If you are indeed a "pro" then you shouldn't be buying from the counter.

GC Pro : Account Managers & Staff

If you are in the LA area, there are better outlets than GC, like WLA Music.

I did just a few weeks ago call the GC in Westwood because their website had the lowest price on a certain piece of gear, they put it on hold, I brought my form with me and they honored it.

[kirkbross]

Originally Posted by iluvcapra

... I brought my form with me...

what exact form are you talking about?

[dr.sound]

Originally Posted by kirkbross

what exact form are you talking about?

Did you even read my post:
===========================================
If you don't know how to "Google" you aren't allowed the tax break:

http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/reg1532.pdf

CLICK ON THE ABOVE. READ IT AND FILL IT OUT!

[Jonesfromindia]

you can also set up a P.P. account with GC. i used to work there and i did it all the time. that way all you have to say to the *uck head behind the counter is, i have a P.P. account and he types "y" when it asks for a P.P. account before he enters the payment section.

make sure you use the same exact customer number in the system as your linked P.P. account.