Does a visitor shopping in tax-free New Hampshire owe sales tax in their home state on things they take home?

Answer

Some believe: "No, you wont have to pay sales tax in your home state." This is not accurate.

Caveat

Caution, most states have "use taxes" that apply to expensive items, such as boats and cars. If you purchase a car in New Hampshire, for instance, they will normally hit you with the "use tax" in your home state when you go to register the vehicle.

Yes, you do

Official sources tell me: In many states (MA, CT, NY, ME, VT...), the "sales and use" tax requires that you either pay sales taxes when you purchase an item that would be taxable in your home state, or you pay "use" tax when and if you bring the item home. Furthermore, anyone ordering online or by mail, or having an in-person purchase shipped home, must pay sales or use tax on anything taxable that is sent to them. Any tax you paid when you bought it acts like a credit, so if your state charges 8 percent (Vermont) and you live in Massachusetts (5 percent), you only owe 3 percent to the state when you bring the merchandise to Vermont. The Connecticut DOR person I spoke with says they occasionally prosecute a few people, hold a big press conference, and then watch as thousands of checks come in from other people who don't want to go to jail for failure to pay sales or use taxes on their out-of-state purchases.