One of the best things about purchasing things digitally is the fact that when you see $4.99, it actually turns out to be $4.99 and no $5 and some change. That may be about to change on the PSN Store. Sony has revealed that they’ll be charging sales tax on purchases made through the US PlayStation Store in more states beginning on April 1, 2017. According to NeoGAF users, some of the affected states include Alabama, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Here’s what the email sent by Sony to it’s users says:
“We are writing to inform you that PlayStation Store, including all services such as PlayStation Vue, PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Now, and PlayStation Music, will start collecting tax in your state starting April 1, 2017. The sales tax charged on each order is determined by your state, county and city tax rates.”
The company has then explained the reasons behind this choice. According to their words, in some areas, state and local laws require PlayStation Store to collect applicable sales taxes.
Players are apparently taking the following steps to avoid PlayStation Network sales tax.
1. Setting up a billing address on their PSN account that is in a State or Country which doesn’t require you to pay PlayStation Network tax, such as the UK.
2. Instead of using a credit card or debit card (which may have to show the same address as the billing address), they’re paying for their digital goods on the PlayStation Store via Paypal or using PSN top-up cards.
If your state is affected, let us know in the comments below.
