Sales tax refund request for tax-exempt Mac purchase by international student

Question

Level 1

4 points

Sales tax refund request for tax-exempt Mac purchase by international student

Hello,

I am an international student (J1 visa) from Montenegro, and I recently purchased a laptop at your Apple Store in Philadelphia. I noticed that sales tax was charged on the purchase.

According to Pennsylvania tax law, laptops for personal use are tax-exempt. Since I bought the laptop for personal/student use, I believe the sales tax was charged in error.

I would kindly like to request a refund of the sales tax or guidance on how to proceed.

Thank you!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Shop tax, MacBook

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Aug 6, 2025 07:58 PM

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Answer 1

celliott147

Level 6

12,480 points

Aug 7, 2025 11:11 AM in response to klara197

Sales tax in the US is almost never exempted for personal purchases. It is typically only exempted for registered non-profit organizations with a 501c3 filing status.

As someone who has purchased many things in Philadelphia, I can confidently tell you that sales tax is indeed applicable and review of the tax laws there seems to confirm this.

But as BobTheFisherman said, we're just users like yourself and have no control over this or ability to assist.

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Answer 2

Aug 6, 2025 08:03 PM in response to klara197

We are users like you. If you have an issue with sales tax contact the seller.

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