C100: C100 II @ Texas Media Systems vs. BH or Adorama

J

JasonMillard81

Active member
I saw Texas Media Systems pop up on my Google search for a C100 Mark II as being cheaper than BH or Adorama here in New York. The only reason is is because they seem to not charge sales tax.

Is this possible/legal?

Has anyone ever dealt with this company?

Thanks!
 
Terry Nixon on this forum has dealt with Texas Media Systems and he has great things to say about them.


When you buy online out of state from most companies, you are not charged sales tax. I believe technically you're supposed to manually still pay the sales tax to your state, but most people don't.
 
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I bought mine from Texas Media Systems. The original reason was because they were one of the few that had it in stock at release. But they were so awesome to work with. I forget the sales associate that I worked with, but he was really helpful. I can't say enough good things about them.

That said, unless you live in New York state, you shouldn't be charged sales tax from B&H, Adorama, or TMS.
 
Ditto here.....if we ship out of state from here in California, no tax....but that is becoming an issue for people here in-state. Many buy from back east just to get out of tax. For the last few years the California State Board of Equalization (tax collector) has been going after people for the sales tax. From what we are told by people who have had the experience, once they find you, they will demand the full sales tax PLUS a "use tax" which often ends up being the same as the full sales tax. We do have it available here the teleproduction sales tax form (Reg 1532) that allows people who live and pay taxes here in CA to pay a lower rate (3.75%). So it's not tax free like out of state purchases, but it does cover you with the state......and we always tell everyone, please call your tax guy and ask him what you should do. He is the expert and might be doing something else for you that could get messed up by you not paying the proper sales tax.

Jim Martin
EVSonline.com
 
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Just pulled the trigger ! Thanks and I got it from TMS.

I already have a Tamron 17-50 2.8 and just ordered it with the 24-104.



Any books, videos, articles, blogs for the c100 Mark II?

I'll see how I like this lens with my Tamron... now going to sell my GH4 and look for a better stills camera either apsca or full frame companion maybe an 80D or 5d Mark II/6D
 
Eric Coughlin said:
Terry Nixon on this forum has dealt with Texas Media Systems and he has great things to say about them.
Click to expand...

Terry Nixon actually works for Texas Media Systems... or did at one point. I'd hope he has great things to say about them. :)

When you buy online out of state from most companies, you are not charged sales tax. I believe technically you're supposed to manually still pay the sales tax to your state, but most people don't.
Click to expand...

It depends on the company and whether they have a nexus in your state. Amazon has so many distribution hubs that they charge sales tax all over the place.

And yeah, most of the places that have sales tax have an identical-rate tax called "use tax" that's levied on things you buy outside of the jurisdiction, don't pay sales tax on, and bring back into the jurisdiction. Enforcement is spotty, but is increasing.
 
Hi Jason,

Late to this thread, been busy. When it comes to anything expensive, such as cameras or lenses, think anything over $1000, you should purchase those items in-state and pay taxes. The reason: If you get audited by your state, one of the first two things they request to see are the receipts of what gear you purchased. They can go back six years. Seven years under a loop hole if you declared a loss.

They will be looking to see if you avoided their state tax on items from out-of-state. Here in Illinois they are so desperate for money it's a big deal now. So they will ding you for the tax, plus penalties and then pass you onto the IRS.

You're probably curious as to what the second thing is they ask for? They will ask for all the invoices of the "freelancers" you hired, they can go back six years. Here they will look to see if they can be reclassified as your employees and in most cases they can! So then you'll owe tons in taxes plus penalties. This is very easy for them to do, especially if you gave the crew member a call time, they're using your gear, you tell them what to do, they are not incorporated, etc. There's about 12 items they and the IRS use. If a freelancer puts the word Overtime on their invoice you're toast. But I digress...

I have not been audited, but when I hear someone in our biz has been I ask them a zillion questions and the common denominators are those two categories of paperwork and they end up regretting they used B&H, etc. The auditors are responsible for coming up with so much revenue per hour they spend on you, so you can imagine it's not in your favor. We do not have any good box houses in Illinois so I buy from the local branch of Abel Cine, pay the taxes, and then have humans I know to interface with for customer service, rather than a box house. It may be a little more but I don't have to worry about the down side.

That's my two cents.

Ned
 
nedcam said:
Hi Jason,

Late to this thread, been busy. When it comes to anything expensive, such as cameras or lenses, think anything over $1000, you should purchase those items in-state and pay taxes. The reason: If you get audited by your state, one of the first two things they request to see are the receipts of what gear you purchased. They can go back six years. Seven years under a loop hole if you declared a loss.

They will be looking to see if you avoided their state tax on items from out-of-state. Here in Illinois they are so desperate for money it's a big deal now. So they will ding you for the tax, plus penalties and then pass you onto the IRS.

You're probably curious as to what the second thing is they ask for? They will ask for all the invoices of the "freelancers" you hired, they can go back six years. Here they will look to see if they can be reclassified as your employees and in most cases they can! So then you'll owe tons in taxes plus penalties. This is very easy for them to do, especially if you gave the crew member a call time, they're using your gear, you tell them what to do, they are not incorporated, etc. There's about 12 items they and the IRS use. If a freelancer puts the word Overtime on their invoice you're toast. But I digress...

I have not been audited, but when I hear someone in our biz has been I ask them a zillion questions and the common denominators are those two categories of paperwork and they end up regretting they used B&H, etc. The auditors are responsible for coming up with so much revenue per hour they spend on you, so you can imagine it's not in your favor. We do not have any good box houses in Illinois so I buy from the local branch of Abel Cine, pay the taxes, and then have humans I know to interface with for customer service, rather than a box house. It may be a little more but I don't have to worry about the down side.

That's my two cents.

Ned
Click to expand...

Good Info!
 
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