On checkout it keeps trying to add Massachusetts sales tax, but I don’t live in Massachusetts, and I’m not currently in Massachusetts and I don’t see a way to fix it.

Only one possible way to fix that: you gotta move to Massachusetts. XD

Alternatively, you guys could "simply" implement the same sales tax - nationwide.
Hahaha..who am I kidding, right?

Perhaps your ISP directs your connection there as part of their national coverage first before communicating with GOG internationally. So you can redirect the tax to your ISP or ask them for a refund.

Make sure you're not using any VPN that could be causing you to appear to be somewhere you are not.

If that's not the issue, I'm going to say that you need to contact GOG support on this. There isn't anywhere in your GOG account where you enter your physical address - either in the account itself or when making a purchase. I don't really know how GOG determines which state you are because I live in a state that doesn't tax digital goods that are downloaded and never had tax applied that shouldn't be there.

For obvious reasons, users don't have a setting available to bypass law-mandated state taxes. Open a support ticket if you haven't already.

As far as I can tell, gog.com doesn't request the user's location at any point, meaning they use IP-based geolocation. This isn't flawless, as you can see from the Errors section of the article.

Thanks. There’s no VPN active, so I opened a ticket.

Im more curious as to why they think charging an american tax from a polish company that doesnt relay the tax back to the usa is even relevant?

GOG being in poland and their banks elsewhere. I am wondering if they just pocket the money. Not like anyone from the usa will even know.

Are we sure about "doesn't relay the tax back" part? I find that part difficult to believe. Have you got a link or some source for this statement???

EDIT: Forgot to mention but perhaps it's possible??? that they're getting the Massachusettes thing from OP's method of payment somehow?

Ya got me! An assumption it is. But then again, I find it difficult to believe a tax would be imposed out of country and expected to be taken seriously. Ask yourself, how would this make any sense. America can do what to them? Ask politely and wag a finger? Its not as if being a tourist in Poland is any different. You spend money out of country, the IRS wont be knocking at your door when you return asking for the tax of your state lol

What?

If you make sales in a country, you have to abide by the law of that country, otherwise you are blatantly commiting fraud. The whole sales tax is remited by GoG to the whatever tax authority you have there. GoG couldn't operate in US if they did otherwise, denying you access to the stuff you buy here.

Why are you so ignorant to the law of your own country?

Im an american, I can be pretty darn ignorant and you cant stop me! ;)

My point is, GOG is not in the USA. They have no obligation to abide american laws, as Poland is not apart of america.

Have you read the legal stuff?
GOG has some special arrangements for American customers, so presumably they have some kind of office in the USA, at least some legal service.


"For users in the USA only:

19.3 You and we agree that your use of GOG services and GOG content, and this Agreement, will be deemed to be entered into in Los Angeles, California and governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the State of California, USA (and, if applicable, US Federal law). Any legal claim by you against GOG will be made exclusively in any state or federal court located in Los Angeles, California, which will have subject matter jurisdiction regarding the dispute between you and us and therefore we both consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts. In any legal claim under this Agreement, the side which wins will be entitled to its legal fees and expenses."

Which still has nothing to do with taxation, as they are not obligated to abide by US laws. Mainly (again) because Poland is a different country and GOG uses banks outside the US specifically to not be held beholden to other nations.

So the the question is still, why collect a tax at all and as a caveat; why tax people from states they are not even in? That is sketchy.

Yes, a company (or person) in Poland has no obligation to abide American laws, that's true. GOG does not have to abide by American labor laws or environmental laws or many other laws. But, once a company (or person) decides to do business in any state in the US, in order to do so legally they must follow the commercial laws of that state (regarding advertising, guarantees, and yes... sales taxes. It's a "choice" by anyone in another company to make. Do I want to do business in Mass. for example? If no, I don't have to follow any Mass. law. If yes, then the only way that market opens up to me is by obeying their laws. The same, btw, is true when American companies do business in other countries. They must follow their laws in order to do business there.

A far more interesting question (to me at least) is how VAT works in all of this. Because I live in a state that has a sales tax, but I have never, ever been charged a sales tax here. Not once (just made a purchase yesterday for the record). Yet others do every time. My speculation (and that's all it is at this point is speculation) is that because the VAT in all European countries is already included in the price (which IMO is how it should be here too but 50 different states and taxes makes that somewhat difficult) so maybe they're only charging the tax in states where their sales tax rate is above the VAT tax? Does that sound like a reasonable speculation or a weird one? I dunno, it's the only thing I've been able to come with as to why some pay them and I don't when I do live in a state with a sales tax (mine is 5%)

I don't think that pertains to sales tax laws (could be wrong). It's possible (likely?) that it's only about resolving disputes (such as violations of a refund policy or EULA or some consumer protection laws). It's usually the case that tax laws are specific to the state the transaction takes place in. In other words, if you live in Oklahoma, you may have to sue in California courts (or a federal court located in California) for redress but you won't have to pay California sales tax.

But I'm no lawyer and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night either, so what do I know? lol