Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 25, 1993 TAG: 9301250003
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ray Reed
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
VIRGINIA OUT TO TAX OUR MINDS, TOO
Q: Perhaps you can find out how the state expects taxpayers to recall all purchases over $25 made by mail order and to have a record of those on which sales taxes are paid. Do they expect the taxpayer to keep a log of every such purchase? F.G.S., Roanoke CountyA: The state taxation folks say yes, and they even say it with a straight face.
Lots of people have discovered this 1966 law since New Year's, because the taxation booklet mentions it in a large-typeface insert between pages 15 and 16.
States tried for years to get mail-order companies to collect sales tax. Last summer the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the states. Now comes this stepped-up effort to collect the levy from consumers.
A few mail-order companies do collect the Virginia tax voluntarily, said Lana Murray of the state department of taxation, which calls it a "consumer use tax."
The state also has gone after some consumers who bought furniture, Oriental rugs, artwork and the like without paying the sales tax. Chances of being caught go up when you buy high-dollar items.
On smaller purchases, the state is depending on people's voluntary compliance. The department estimates the tax would amount to $60 million if everyone paid.
This new tax form lets us send in a full year's accumulated mail-order taxes at one time. The 1966 law wanted payments on the 20th of every month.
Quite accommodating of the tax people, no?
Q: If I go to another state and buy something, am I supposed to pay the sales tax when I come back? I thought the state sales tax was for things we buy in this state. P.G., Roanoke
A: You only pay a sales tax once, and usually in the state where you make the purchase.
The mail-order controversy comes when the seller doesn't collect a sales tax at all. The law sees these transactions as occurring in the state where the order is mailed.
Inaugural prayer
Q: My son asked, "Mommy, if there is no prayer in school, why do they have prayer at the inauguration?" I'm wondering that, too. N.N., Roanoke
A: Inaugurations are attended mostly by adults who are there voluntarily. No one is forced to listen, and adults are able to reach their own conclusions about the prayer's theological content.
Courts have ruled on school prayer because attendance is required and public schools are government-operated. The state can't impose religion on anyone, so teachers aren't allowed to lead an organized prayer.
Prayer still is done in school, though, especially on test days.
The courts have not said it is illegal, either. Private prayers by students are OK under the law.
U.S. 460 lights join the flow
Q: What's being done on U.S. 460 Northeast about timing the green lights to improve traffic flow? J.P., Troutville
A: Traffic lights were interconnected last week at three intersections on Orange Avenue: Plantation Road, Hollins Road and 13th Street.
These should help all traffic, especially inbound vehicles in the mornings and outbound vehicles in the afternoon, said Bob Bengtson, city traffic engineer.
Got a question about something that might affect other people too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.