Private firearm sales at gun shows

[farmerj]

if the sale is let's say $500 you need to collect about $35 in sales tax and send it in. To be perfectly legal.

I wonder who told you this.

Wondering this as well... not even going to bother trying to correct him.

It would actually be $34.38 in Use tax that he would really be required to report. (see link posted above)

What is use tax?
Use tax is the complement to sales tax. If you buy a tax-able item for your own use without paying sales tax, you probably owe use tax. The use tax rate is the same as the sales tax rate (6.875%) and the same exemptions apply. Here are some examples of when use tax is due if sales tax was not charged:
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Purchases over the Internet, by mail order, or from a shopping channel.
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Purchases of building materials or an uninstalled ready-to-move home or log home from outside Min-nesota when you are responsible for the hookup of electrical and plumbing, and for the completion of the masonry work. (Manufactured homes for residential use are taxed at a rate of 4.225 percent. See Fact Sheet 150, Manufactured Homes, for more information.)
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Purchases of jewelry, boat motors, snowmobiles, ATVs, art, furniture, tools or appliances.
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Purchases where a Minnesota seller does not charge you sales tax on a taxable item.
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Purchases from retailers in other countries regardless if foreign taxes or duty have been paid.

[12smile]

Purchases made by an individual for personal use are exempt from use tax if the individual’s total purchases subject to use tax are $770 or less in the calendar year. If an individual buys more than $770 of taxable items in a calendar year, all of that person’s purchases are taxable.

Technically it's use tax...applicable to garage sales.

When someone gets audited it's the "Use Tax" that they are hammered with.

The cameras, computers, guns that you buy online.

In Gran Torino, for his last confession Clint confesses to the priest that he sold a boat and motor and didn't report it....he would have to report the income, the buy would have to pay the 'Use Tax"

[870TC]

Back of the table application form, from MWCA says, you need a sales tax # or you can check the box for "Isolated and Occasional Sales Exemption: Participates once per calender year, makes sales of $500 or less" (MN Dept of Revenue Fact sheet 148)

Also, as you enter the MWCA show they have a table with handouts, there will be a "Facts sheet" from ATF explaining what is legal/illegal for dealers and private parties at shows.

[vwj1987]

I have my kid carry the gun around with a sign on it. For rifles, usually a note card stapled to a straw stock in the bore. For pistols a sign taped to side of a hard case.

So if I was selling a pistol how am I suppose to show it to the potential buyer? Do I pull them off to the side to show them or what?

[45Badger]

I have my kid carry the gun around with a sign on it. For rifles, usually a note card stapled to a straw stock in the bore. For pistols a sign taped to side of a hard case.

So if I was selling a pistol how am I suppose to show it to the potential buyer? Do I pull them off to the side to show them or what?

Usually stop right in the middle of the aisle and let them have a look. If crowded, might mosey on over to the coffee stand.

[JJ]

I have my kid carry the gun around with a sign on it. For rifles, usually a note card stapled to a straw stock in the bore. For pistols a sign taped to side of a hard case.

So if I was selling a pistol how am I suppose to show it to the potential buyer? Do I pull them off to the side to show them or what?

I will usually just flip open the case and walk around with the gun showing (chamber open prefferably), with a FOR SALE visible somewhere.

[12smile]

The Coliseum show is huge. It would be a convenience if they had one cafeteria sized table w/ chairs for private sales where sellers / buyers could hang.

[xd ED]

The Coliseum show is huge. It would be a convenience if they had one cafeteria sized table w/ chairs for private sales where sellers / buyers could hang.

That would defeat the purpose of the promoter in more ways than one:

The promoter's revenue is derived in part from selling table space, so giving it away wouldn't make sense.
Secondly, If he gives space away,some who might buy space for table are going to say WTF, and either not show, or set up in a small way on the free space.
And further, you'll be on the news as one of the gun show loophole gang.