As a photographer, you’re in the business of selling photos. Anything used to create those photos is considered a manufacturing tool and, as such, is exempt from sales tax when you purchase it. Your computers, your cameras, lenses, etc. are all exempt. You may have to pay a use tax (depending on your state), but it’s less than sales tax.

You just need to provide your sales tax ID number to qualify for purchases without sales tax.

This doesn’t apply to things that you are the end-user of (e.g. a printer for invoices, paper, post-it notes), but it does apply to equipment directly used to create the final object of sale (albums, photos, disc, etc.)

As a bonus, Apple now has a business division that will give you a 3-5% discount on your equipment if you order through them. Simply call 1-800-MY-APPLE and stumble through the menus (press the number for purchasing a new computer, then press the number for businsess or government). They will allow you to purchase without tax _and_ they’ll save you an additional 3-5%.

They do things a little funky… They’ll ring your computer up with tax, then they’ll reimburse you once your tax ID has been verified, but you’ll save hundreds!

RF

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