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Indiana Sales Tax Law Change

FYI - last Thursday (March 24), Indiana Governor Pence signed HB 1046. As of July 1, 2016, this will provide sales tax exemption for transactions involving the sale of: (1) coins that are permitted investments by an individual retirement account under federal law; (2) bullion that is a permitted investment by an individual retirement account under federal law; or (3) legal tender.

Many thanks to Silvertowne, which was instrumental in lobbying the Indiana legislature to get this bill through.

Comments

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    jwittenjwitten Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Aren't almost all coins legal tender?
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,849 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The premium charged above spot is taxing enough, if you asked me. Though DerryB and I have a bit of a difference of opinion on what "tax" is in context to all of the different types. Sales tax on a product that's marked up 30% is a luxury to those who can afford, so one could argue that there should be "taxes". However, if a guy saves his money in a bank…Or a bank where you park your money for long term and receive nothing, at least with Ag/Au authorized products, an IRA = Silver & Gold American Eagles in OGP Proof, or UNC. through a depository…. a guy might see a windfall and a return on "his money".

    A great benefit to Americans who want to set aside a nest egg. The tax will hit again at retirement or through inheritance.
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    stevebensteveben Posts: 4,596 ✭✭✭✭✭
    better!
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,849 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: jwitten
    Aren't almost all coins legal tender?



    So long as the government exists which minted them. Then in that place, they are. Or, until legislators meet and change /repeal the law.

    Never ending. image
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    LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,681 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: jwitten

    Aren't almost all coins legal tender?




    I believe the US Trade Dollars were demonitized, therefore, wouldn't they no longer qualify as legal tender?
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,849 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If them Trade Dollars are no longer legal tender, please send them to me in trade for a New Gerald Ford golden dollar. image
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    messydeskmessydesk Posts: 19,704 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: LanLord

    Originally posted by: jwitten

    Aren't almost all coins legal tender?




    I believe the US Trade Dollars were demonitized, therefore, wouldn't they no longer qualify as legal tender?


    They were remonetized in 1965.

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    BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,485 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: jwitten
    Aren't almost all coins legal tender?


    The foreign coins and U.S. tokens are not legal tender. That makes it harder for those who deal in those areas.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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    TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't know.....I guess from a purely self-interest POV, I'm SUPPOSED to think it's a good idea to not tax our hobby.



    But if I hear someone ELSE wants an exemption, ("I collect/invest in diamond earrings! Gold Watches! Classic Cars! Fashions! Cabbage Patch Kids!! Whatever!!"), I'm thinking they are just writing a loop-hole for the people with too much money on their hands.



    Probably the most strange is the California (and other states) laws that only exempt sales over some minimum amount. Talk about a gift to the rich, and a head-scratcher to the poor who can't imagine buying at that level....



    (My job is to make us feel guilty. You may go now....or make the twisted arguments that US money is somehow different than Cabbage Patch Kids).
    Easily distracted Type Collector
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,849 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Taxes repealed to me, is the equivalent of enriching the people… though I understand it's delicate nature.
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    cladkingcladking Posts: 28,339 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is very good news, indeed!



    It's good to see Indiana in the forefront on something like this as well.



    image



    (and I always wanted to use this emoticon image )
    Tempus fugit.
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    DollarAfterDollarDollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Few midwestern states were dumb enough to tax coin sales. Now maybe Indiana can host some coin shows and auctions. Pence finally got something right.

    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.
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    BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,485 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: TwoSides2aCoin
    Taxes repealed to me, is the equivalent of enriching the people… though I understand it's delicate nature.


    Yep. Government has gotten so greedy that any tax break is welcome. Sadly we have hit the situation where some politicians pit one class against another to get elected. What people don't understand, or don't want to understand is that those who are successful with new ideas or who have capital to invest in good ideas are the people who create the jobs. Jobs creation boosts tax revenues, which supports government services, and encourages people to do positive things for themselves.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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    TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    In the Peoples Republic of California, invoices for coin sales under $1500 are subject to sales tax and above $1500 are not.

    I think that's surprising because that's a lot of tax dollars the State is missing out on.

    Gov. Brown and the Socialist legislature passed a bill yesterday raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021.

    They are also building a high speed rail from LA to San Francisco at a cost of $20 billion dollars that no one will use because you can fly there in 40 minutes for $85.

    People get the government they deserve, so be happy the people in Indiana are smarter than those here in California.
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    TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: BillJones

    What people don't understand, or don't want to understand is that those who are successful with new ideas or who have capital to invest in good ideas are the people who create the jobs. Jobs creation boosts tax revenues, which supports government services, and encourages people to do positive things for themselves.






    ...all of which has NOTHING to do with cherry picking which luxury items should, or shouldn't, be taxed. (Unless you are suggesting that this is a pro-coin dealer jobs creation program?)



    Now, I understand bullion as an investment vehicle being tax exempt. One chuck of gold is the same as any other, (provided the "chunks" have been coined, or otherwise authenticated...bars, etc.). Bullion IS an alternative form of investment, first and foremost.



    (Kind of like one share of Apple stock is pretty much like another. You don't buy it to look at it, enjoy it, or share it with fellow investors....you buy it in hopes that it increases in value).



    But why would a Lincoln cent, or Washington Quarter, or $20 classic gold coin, graded for quality, priced based on mintmarks, quality, color, rarity, etc., and bought (most often) for enjoyment and hobby purposes be tax exempt? Couldn't my example of a Cabbage Patch doll be the same? Diamond necklaces? Classic car auto parts? Sure, they all may increase in value. But at heart, they are consumer goods, and not investments.



    And for my pet peeve, why exempt ONLY purchases over $1000, (or similar limit)? If gold bullion, (or Lincoln cents), are exempt, they should be exempt no matter if you buy $10,000 worth, or $100 worth in $1 installments.



    But, more to my point, I don't agree with the stance that luxury items, be they coins or anything else, should be tax exempt. Claiming some advantage to the economy created by the privileged rich, (or upper middle class), in this context is just silly. Yeah, I would benefit more than your average citizen....but I like to think I'm not selfish enough to think I "deserve" it more than people who buy big-screen TV's, lawn fertilizer, or roofing shingles.



    In short....it's a tax loophole created for the people who really don't require tax loopholes....just like most loopholes. Coin collectors, dealers, and industry trade groups, have the opportunity to catch the ear of congressmen, while those living paycheck-to-paycheck just have to hope someone notices them.



    (Being that this post deals with tax exemption of coin purchases, I will contend it is coin related, and not a political statement. Well, mostly).
    Easily distracted Type Collector
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    jwittenjwitten Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: BillJones
    Originally posted by: jwitten
    Aren't almost all coins legal tender?


    The foreign coins and U.S. tokens are not legal tender. That makes it harder for those who deal in those areas.


    Unless the law specifically says legal tender for the US, I would say world coins are legal tender too.
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    RampageRampage Posts: 9,418 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: TopographicOceans

    In the Peoples Republic of California, invoices for coin sales under $1500 are subject to sales tax and above $1500 are not.



    I think that's surprising because that's a lot of tax dollars the State is missing out on.



    Gov. Brown and the Socialist legislature passed a bill yesterday raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021.



    They are also building a high speed rail from LA to San Francisco at a cost of $20 billion dollars that no one will use because you can fly there in 40 minutes for $85.



    People get the government they deserve, so be happy the people in Indiana are smarter than those here in California.



    That 40-minute flight is not really 40 minutes once you take everything into account, correct? What I mean is that you cannot go to LAX and hop right on that place. You have to get there early, go through security, you have wait for a while, and then risk a late or canceled flight, right? So, for those of us on the East Coast, how long will that high speed rail take? Probably a wash when you take all into account. Plus, some people do not like to fly, so I would see this high speed rail as a blessing for those folks.

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    TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Rampage
    Originally posted by: TopographicOceans
    In the Peoples Republic of California, invoices for coin sales under $1500 are subject to sales tax and above $1500 are not.

    I think that's surprising because that's a lot of tax dollars the State is missing out on.

    Gov. Brown and the Socialist legislature passed a bill yesterday raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021.

    They are also building a high speed rail from LA to San Francisco at a cost of $20 billion dollars that no one will use because you can fly there in 40 minutes for $85.

    People get the government they deserve, so be happy the people in Indiana are smarter than those here in California.

    That 40-minute flight is not really 40 minutes once you take everything into account, correct? What I mean is that you cannot go to LAX and hop right on that place. You have to get there early, go through security, you have wait for a while, and then risk a late or canceled flight, right? So, for those of us on the East Coast, how long will that high speed rail take? Probably a wash when you take all into account. Plus, some people do not like to fly, so I would see this high speed rail as a blessing for those folks.


    Don't worry about the extra time outside of the 40 minute flight.

    According to the LA Times, The larger questions remain about the project’s ability to deliver a system that would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2 hours and 40 minutes, which is required under the 2008 bond act that voters approved.

    And the "high speed" train ride has a $43.5 billion funding shortfall.

    With 28 million people in the state, that's $1,535 for every man, woman, child and baby in the state.

    Everyone could buy a PCGS MS Double Eagle instead of paying for a train they will never ride.
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Taxation.... the eternal irritant..... was instrumental in the birth of America... will likely contribute

    to the fall/rebirth. Cheers, RickO
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    BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,485 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: TommyType
    Originally posted by: BillJones
    What people don't understand, or don't want to understand is that those who are successful with new ideas or who have capital to invest in good ideas are the people who create the jobs. Jobs creation boosts tax revenues, which supports government services, and encourages people to do positive things for themselves.



    ...all of which has NOTHING to do with cherry picking which luxury items should, or shouldn't, be taxed. (Unless you are suggesting that this is a pro-coin dealer jobs creation program?)

    Now, I understand bullion as an investment vehicle being tax exempt. One chuck of gold is the same as any other, (provided the "chunks" have been coined, or otherwise authenticated...bars, etc.). Bullion IS an alternative form of investment, first and foremost.

    (Kind of like one share of Apple stock is pretty much like another. You don't buy it to look at it, enjoy it, or share it with fellow investors....you buy it in hopes that it increases in value).

    But why would a Lincoln cent, or Washington Quarter, or $20 classic gold coin, graded for quality, priced based on mintmarks, quality, color, rarity, etc., and bought (most often) for enjoyment and hobby purposes be tax exempt? Couldn't my example of a Cabbage Patch doll be the same? Diamond necklaces? Classic car auto parts? Sure, they all may increase in value. But at heart, they are consumer goods, and not investments.

    And for my pet peeve, why exempt ONLY purchases over $1000, (or similar limit)? If gold bullion, (or Lincoln cents), are exempt, they should be exempt no matter if you buy $10,000 worth, or $100 worth in $1 installments.

    But, more to my point, I don't agree with the stance that luxury items, be they coins or anything else, should be tax exempt. Claiming some advantage to the economy created by the privileged rich, (or upper middle class), in this context is just silly. Yeah, I would benefit more than your average citizen....but I like to think I'm not selfish enough to think I "deserve" it more than people who buy big-screen TV's, lawn fertilizer, or roofing shingles.

    In short....it's a tax loophole created for the people who really don't require tax loopholes....just like most loopholes. Coin collectors, dealers, and industry trade groups, have the opportunity to catch the ear of congressmen, while those living paycheck-to-paycheck just have to hope someone notices them.

    (Being that this post deals with tax exemption of coin purchases, I will contend it is coin related, and not a political statement. Well, mostly).


    No one is stopping your from giving a percentage of your coin purchases to your state government if you want to do that. The point is the rest of us don't want to do that, and you have no right to demand that everyone else do it. You have a vote, and you are entitled to your opinion, but that does not give you the right to make other people pay for your opinions.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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    gsa1fangsa1fan Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: ricko
    Taxation.... the eternal irritant..... was instrumental in the birth of America... will likely contribute
    to the fall/rebirth. Cheers, RickO


    Yes and hopefully we are waking up in 2016.

    Thank YOU to Silvertowne for doing instead of complainingimage

    Avid collector of GSA's.
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    TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: BillJones



    No one is stopping your from giving a percentage of your coin purchases to your state government if you want to do that. The point is the rest of us don't want to do that, and you have no right to demand that everyone else do it. You have a vote, and you are entitled to your opinion, but that does not give you the right to make other people pay for your opinions.





    Think we have a basic difference in Point of View.



    I would turn it around and say we as a hobby, (or any hobby or special interest), have no right to receive special treatment.



    But we'll leave it at that. I understand the desire to cut taxes, and won't argue differently. HOW we go about cutting taxes is where we differ.
    Easily distracted Type Collector
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    ashelandasheland Posts: 22,694 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: ricko
    Taxation.... the eternal irritant..... was instrumental in the birth of America... will likely contribute
    to the fall/rebirth. Cheers, RickO


    Very good point! image
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    Fellow collectors and investors,



    We'd like to thank all of the dealers and individuals who supported the passage of HB1046. This was a great move forward for Indiana, establishing a level playing field for local Coin and Bullion businesses and investors. This puts Indiana at par with 33 other states in the union who also provide a Sales Tax Exemption on precious metal bullion and legal tender. We expect to see many local customers re-frequenting their local coin shops to make their investment purchases, rather than sending those investment dollars to businesses in other states, due to the prior sales tax. We're confident this will have a ripple effect, providing more local jobs and increased revenues on taxable item sales in Indiana. We are also hopeful that this move will create a favorable environment to attract regional and national coin shows back to Indiana.



    We'd like to thank Kathy McFadden and the team at ICTA for their tremendous support in getting this bill heard and passed. They provided critical data regarding the passage of similar bills in other states across the country, and were very instrumental in providing talking points for legislators and representatives. If you live in a state that still does not provide a sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion and legal tender investment purchases, you'll want to reach out to and support the team at ICTA.



    We look forward to working together with many other coin dealers, hobbyists and investors to further support the continual growth of the bullion and coin business.



    Best regards and happy investing!



    Jamie Meadows

    Vice President - General Manager

    SilverTowne, L.P.
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    cladkingcladking Posts: 28,339 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Jamie4SilverTowne





    We'd like to thank all of the dealers and individuals who supported the passage of HB1046. This was a great move forward for Indiana, establishing a level playing field for local Coin and Bullion businesses and investors. This puts Indiana at par with 33 other states in the union who also provide a Sales Tax Exemption on precious metal bullion and legal tender. We expect to see many local customers re-frequenting their local coin shops to make their investment purchases, rather than sending those investment dollars to businesses in other states, due to the prior sales tax. We're confident this will have a ripple effect, providing more local jobs and increased revenues on taxable item sales in Indiana. We are also hopeful that this move will create a favorable environment to attract regional and national coin shows back to Indiana.



    We'd like to thank Kathy McFadden and the team at ICTA for their tremendous support in getting this bill heard and passed. They provided critical data regarding the passage of similar bills in other states across the country, and were very instrumental in providing talking points for legislators and representatives. If you live in a state that still does not provide a sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion and legal tender investment purchases, you'll want to reach out to and support the team at ICTA.



    We look forward to working together with many other coin dealers, hobbyists and investors to further support the continual growth of the bullion and coin business.







    Thanks for your interest, efforts and the post.



    We're assuming that all US legal tender coinage is free from sales tax. Is this your understanding as well?



    ...and welcome aboard.

    Tempus fugit.
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    The Bill covers all precious metals bullion that meets IRA standards (.999 silver, .9999 gold, .995 Platinum) and all legal tender, although it does not have to be deposited into an IRA to qualify for the Sales Tax Exemption. "Legal tender" is non-restricted, so this would include any coin or currency that is legal tender from any country (US or World).
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    CommemKingCommemKing Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is good news for me. Been getting stabbed by the tax man for years in this hobby.
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    cladkingcladking Posts: 28,339 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Jamie4SilverTowne

    The Bill covers all precious metals bullion that meets IRA standards (.999 silver, .9999 gold, .995 Platinum) and all legal tender, although it does not have to be deposited into an IRA to qualify for the Sales Tax Exemption. "Legal tender" is non-restricted, so this would include any coin or currency that is legal tender from any country (US or World).




    Oh, great!



    This is wonderful news.



    It will be nice seeing more Indiana coin shows as well.



    Thanks.
    Tempus fugit.
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    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: gsa1fan

    Thank YOU to Silvertowne for doing instead of complainingimage




    +1

    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

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    bestdaybestday Posts: 4,220 ✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: Rampage
    Originally posted by: TopographicOceans
    In the Peoples Republic of California, invoices for coin sales under $1500 are subject to sales tax and above $1500 are not.

    I think that's surprising because that's a lot of tax dollars the State is missing out on.

    Gov. Brown and the Socialist legislature passed a bill yesterday raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021.

    They are also building a high speed rail from LA to San Francisco at a cost of $20 billion dollars that no one will use because you can fly there in 40 minutes for $85.

    People get the government they deserve, so be happy the people in Indiana are smarter than those here in California.

    That 40-minute flight is not really 40 minutes once you take everything into account, correct? What I mean is that you cannot go to LAX and hop right on that place. You have to get there early, go through security, you have wait for a while, and then risk a late or canceled flight, right? So, for those of us on the East Coast, how long will that high speed rail take? Probably a wash when you take all into account. Plus, some people do not like to fly, so I would see this high speed rail as a blessing for those folks.


    LOL 20 Billion ??? ...you mean $200 Billion for LA - SFO.. Trump will pull Fed funding of this money elephant in 2017image
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    EthanEthan Posts: 315 ✭✭
    I just learned this last week and will hold off on my purchases. This law has hurt Indiana businesses. Now I can frequent my LCS and help him make a living and compete with the Internets.....This should have been done a while back and I hold Daniels at fault. This has been in the works for years. In all I think the state will loose $6 million in revenue, well that is ok as we pay too much in tax anyway and we have a surplus. +1 to my state.
    "A gun is like a parachute. If you need one, and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.

    “I want you to remember that no * ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb * die for his country”
  • Options
    EthanEthan Posts: 315 ✭✭
    Originally posted by: Jamie4SilverTowne

    Fellow collectors and investors,



    We'd like to thank all of the dealers and individuals who supported the passage of HB1046. This was a great move forward for Indiana, establishing a level playing field for local Coin and Bullion businesses and investors. This puts Indiana at par with 33 other states in the union who also provide a Sales Tax Exemption on precious metal bullion and legal tender. We expect to see many local customers re-frequenting their local coin shops to make their investment purchases, rather than sending those investment dollars to businesses in other states, due to the prior sales tax. We're confident this will have a ripple effect, providing more local jobs and increased revenues on taxable item sales in Indiana. We are also hopeful that this move will create a favorable environment to attract regional and national coin shows back to Indiana.



    We'd like to thank Kathy McFadden and the team at ICTA for their tremendous support in getting this bill heard and passed. They provided critical data regarding the passage of similar bills in other states across the country, and were very instrumental in providing talking points for legislators and representatives. If you live in a state that still does not provide a sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion and legal tender investment purchases, you'll want to reach out to and support the team at ICTA.



    We look forward to working together with many other coin dealers, hobbyists and investors to further support the continual growth of the bullion and coin business.



    Best regards and happy investing!



    Jamie Meadows

    Vice President - General Manager

    SilverTowne, L.P.






    Thank you Silvertown. I have almost purchased from your online store until I saw that 'extra'. You can count me as a future customer now.

    "A gun is like a parachute. If you need one, and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.

    “I want you to remember that no * ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb * die for his country”
  • Options
    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,849 ✭✭✭✭✭
    LB 867 was signed into law on April 2, 2014 by then governor Mike Heinemann of Nebraska (sp). It only repealed/ended the taxes on coins/bullion and currency (collectible money). We still have sales tax on albums, flips, boxes, plastic, staples, metal detectors, jewelry, watches, antiques, and other luxuries. image Just saying.

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