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Internet Sales Tax Law's Effect on James Allen & Blue Nile

By now most of you may have heard or experienced the New Internet Sales Tax Laws that have come into effect as of October 1st, 2019. Needless to say, these laws are having a significant impact on many of the world’s leading online retailers, including our personal favorites James Allen and Blue Nile. So, how exactly will these laws sway your future engagement ring purchase? Let’s see below.

James Allen Sales Tax

It wasn’t long ago that you would only have to pay Sales Tax at James Allen if you were purchasing from within Maryland and New York State. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. The sad reality is that the list of States where you currently have to pay Sales Tax vastly outnumbers the ones you don’t. The list now includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

So, where can you still get a sweet 7.5% savings from? You can check James Allen’s FAQ sheet for the full list, but in summary, the following States can still offer up significant savings:

Delaware
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
Oregon

While it’s not as good as it used to be, that’s still five States that make it worth your while to buy your engagement ring online at James Allen (besides all the other benefits!)

Blue Nile Sales Tax

Much like James Allen, Blue Nile used to benefit greatly from a lack of sales tax across most States. The only States that would charge Sales Tax were Washington State, New York or Virginia. Their list, however, has also grown. It now includes Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, Washington State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

This means that only a handful of States can offer you a Sales Tax benefit. One more actually than James Allen. You can check Blue Nile’s Policy Page for the full list, but in summary, the following States can still offer up significant savings:

Alaska
Delaware
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
Oregon

While it’s not as good as it used to be, that’s still six States that make it worth your while to buy your Blue Nile diamond ring online (besides all the other benefits!)

What does this all mean? These new Internet Sales Tax Laws have added a layer of complexity to the Engagement Ring buying process. Not only have purchasers in most States lost a significant advantage but there is also now a clear disparity between online retailers depending on where you live. The best thing to do when making your purchase is to do your due diligence and understand what the legal policies are and how you can use them to your advantage.

Don’t want to worry about what the best option is when buying your Engagement Ring? Is all this Sales Tax law talk a bit overwhelming? Would you like us to help you with your diamond ring search? Contact us and we will provide you with a one-on-one service that will get you the best diamond available while helping you navigate the new laws and maximizing your savings!