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SELLING AT AUCTION accepted by the Internal Revenue Service, Client Arranged Shipping Property
tax and estate planning professionals, collected from Sotheby’s New York
If you have property you wish to sell, and insurance rms. In the event that premises by a common carrier hired by the
Sotheby’s team of specialists and client a sale is considered, we are pleased to purchaser for delivery at an address outside
services representatives will assist you provide auction estimates, sales proposals of New York is not subject to New York Sales
through the entire process. Simply contact and marketing plans. When sales are Tax, but if the property is delivered into
the appropriate specialist (specialist underway, the group works closely with any state in which Sotheby’s is registered,
departments are listed in the back of this the appropriate specialist departments Sotheby’s is required by law to collect and
catalogue), General Inquiries Department to ensure that clients’ needs are met remit the appropriate sales tax in e ect in
or a Sotheby’s regional o ce representative promptly and e ciently. the state where the property is delivered.
for suggestions on how best to arrange for New York State recognizes shippers
evaluation of your property. Financial Services Sotheby’s o ers a such as the United States Postal Service,
wide range of nancial services including United Parcel Service, FedEx, or the like as
Property Evaluation There are three advances on consignments, as well as “common carriers”. If a purchaser hires a
general ways evaluation of property can be loans secured by art collections not shipper other than a common carrier to pick
conducted: intended for sale. up property, Sotheby’s will collect New York
sales tax at a rate of 8.875% regardless of
(1) In our galleries Museum Services Tailored to meet the the ultimate destination of the goods. If a
You may bring your property directly to our unique needs of museums and nonpro ts purchaser utilizes a freight-forwarder who is
galleries where our specialists will give you in the marketplace, Museum Services registered with the Transportation Security
auction estimates and advice. There is no o ers personal, professional assistance Administration (“TSA”) to deliver property
charge for this service, but we request that and advice in areas including appraisals, outside of the United States, no sales tax
you telephone ahead for an appointment. deaccessions, acquisitions and special would be due on this transaction.
Inspection hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm, events.
Monday through Friday. Where Sotheby’s is Not Required
Corporate Art Services Devoted to Collect Sales Tax Sotheby’s is not
(2) By photograph to servicing corporations, Sotheby’s required to collect sales tax on property
If your property is not portable, or if you Corporate Art Services Department delivered to states other than those listed
are not able to visit our galleries, you may can prepare appraisal reports, advise above. If the property is delivered to a
bring in or send a clear photograph of on acquisitions and deaccessions, state where Sotheby’s is not required to
each item. If you have a large collection, a manage all aspects of consignment, collect sales tax, it is the responsibility of
representative selection of photographs assist in developing arts-management the purchaser to self-assess any sales or
will do. Please be sure to include the strategies and create events catering to a use tax and remit it to taxing authorities in
dimensions, artist’s signature or maker’s corporation’s needs. that state.
mark, medium, physical condition and any
other relevant information. Our specialists INFORMATION ON SALES Sotheby’s is not required to collect sales
will provide a free preliminary auction AND USE TAX RELATED TO tax for property delivered to the purchaser
estimate subject to a nal estimate upon PURCHASES AT AUCTION outside of the United States.
rst-hand inspection. To better assist our clients, we have Restoration and Other Services
prepared the following information on Regardless of where the property is
(3) In your home Sales and Use Tax related to property subsequently transported, if any framing or
Evaluations of property can also be made purchased at auction. restoration services are performed on the
in your home. The fees for such visits property in New York, it is considered to be
are based on the scope and diversity of Why Sotheby’s Collects Sales Tax a delivery of the property to the purchaser
property, with travel expenses additional. Virtually all State Sales Tax Laws require in New York, and Sotheby’s will be required
These fees may be rebated if you consign a corporation to register with the State’s to collect the 8.875% New York sales tax.
your property for sale at Sotheby’s. If there Tax Authorities and collect and remit
is considerable property in question, we sales tax if the corporation maintains a Certain Exemptions Most states that
can arrange for an informal “walkthrough.” presence within the state, such as o ces. impose sales taxes allow for speci ed
In the states that impose sales tax, Tax exemptions to the tax. For example, a
Once your property has been evaluated, Laws require an auction house, with a registered re-seller such as a registered art
Sotheby’s representatives can then help presence in the state, to register as a sales dealer may purchase without incurring a
you determine how to proceed should you tax collector, and remit sales tax collected tax liability, and Sotheby’s is not required
wish to continue with the auction process. to the state. New York sales tax is charged to collect sales tax from such re-seller. The
They will provide information regarding on the hammer price, buyer’s premium art dealer, when re-selling the property,
sellers’ commission rates and other and any other applicable charges on any may be required to charge sales tax to
charges, auction venue, shipping and any property picked up or delivered in New its client, or the client may be required to
further services you may require. York, regardless of the state or country self-assess sales or use tax upon acquiring
in which the purchaser resides or does the property.
SOTHEBY’S SERVICES business.
Local Tax Advisors As sales tax laws vary
Sotheby’s also o ers a range of other Where Sotheby’s Collects Sales Tax from state to state, Sotheby’s recommends
services to our clients beyond buying Sotheby’s is currently registered to collect that clients with questions regarding the
and selling at auction. These services are sales tax in the following states: California, application of sales or use taxes to property
summarized below. Further information on Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, purchased at auction seek tax advice from
any of the services described below can be Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, their local tax advisors.
found at sothebys.com. Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. For Photography:
Valuations and Appraisals Sotheby’s any property collected or received by the
Valuations and Appraisals Services o ers purchaser in New York City, such property Ber Murphy
advice regarding personal property assets is subject to sales tax at the existing New Pauline Shapiro
to trusts, estates, and private clients York State and City rate of 8.875%. Glenn Steigelman
in order to help duciaries, executors,
advisors, and collectors meet their goals. Sotheby’s Arranged Shipping If the INDIAN, HIMALAYAN AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN WORKS OF ART
We provide e cient and con dential property is delivered into any state in
advice and assistance for all appraisal which Sotheby’s is registered, Sotheby’s
and auction services. Sotheby’s can is required by law to collect and remit the
prepare appraisals to suit a variety of appropriate sales tax in e ect in the state
needs, including estate tax and planning, where the property is delivered.
insurance, charitable contribution and
collateral loan. Our appraisals are widely 135