To the Editor,
Recently I purchased a Walgreen's gift card and a Subway gift card at the Walgreen's in Bath. After leaving the store I realized I was charged sales tax on the Walgreen's gift card. I immediately called the store and a sales representative informed me that there was no sales tax on the purchase of gift cards and if I came into the store with the receipt I would receive a refund on the sales tax.
Later I went into the store and was treated very discourteously by the assistant manager who insisted that there was sales tax on gift cards and implied that I was stupid for not knowing that.
I contacted the New York State Taxation and Finance Department. The agent informed me that according to publication TSB-A-99(13)S that “Gift certificates for a stated dollar amount, whether given away for no consideration or sold to a customer, are not subject to sales tax.” The agent assured me that gift certificates and gift cards are the same thing.
Consumers beware, do not assume that stores know and follow the New York State Sales Taxes Rules and Regulations.
Diane Masters
Bath
Bath, NY —
