In theory……
Tax is supposed to be paid in any case.
When you buy something from local store,
seller collect tax for your convinience.
When you buy something from online store
seller does not collect tax because
they are not registerred business on my state,
so you need to pay tax by yourself.
In California, (I think in most state too)
Tax law defines “Use Tax”.
It’s same rate as sales tax,
and buyer supposed to pay use tax to the state…
but most people does not care,
and even state government neither.
But the law is the law…
so if IRS want to charge you tax penalty
because you did not pay use tax for the items bought online,
you need to pay -_-;;
