ATLANTA -- As holiday shoppers look forward to the last full weekend before Christmas, Georgia's Department of Revenue is reminding consumers to pay sales tax - even if purchases are made online.
Many online shoppers have been led to believe that they can buy things and save money by not having to pay sales tax. Some online retailers even promote the tax savings. But the Department of Revenue said in a news release that those taxes have to be paid, one way or another.
"When Georgia sales tax is not charged by the online retailer, it becomes the purchaser's responsibility to remit use tax on the purchase," the news release, issued November 28, 2011 said.
Consumers can pay the taxes they owe using a form available on the Georgia Department of Revenue's website.
PAY SALES TAX | Georgia Department of Revenue Online Form
"Use tax has existed in Georgia since 1951, and it applies to online purchases just as it has always applied to mail order or phone purchases from out-of-state sellers," the Department of Revenue said.
"Use tax helps even the playing field for Georgia businesses that are required to charge sales on their purchases to Georgia residents," said Revenue Commissioner Doug MacGinnitie. "Without use tax, out-of-state sellers would be able to offer lower prices than in-state business that employ our citizens."