SeeCalifornia.com

Remember those old-fashioned malls where you shop and try on clothes or buy the latest gadget? Pictured is the Atrium court at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California. Major malls today include shopping, restaurants and usually a movie theater or entertainment venue.

Shoppers, listen up! You have only 7 shopping days remaining till a new law kicks in on Sept. 15, 2012, requiring Amazon and other online retailers doing business in California to begin charging state tax on purchases. Even if you purchase perfume or an Interntet game from another state, if it’s sold through Amazon you will now be taxed. Depending on where you live, taxes range from 7.25% to 9.75% which equates to nearly $100 savings on a $1,000 purchase. Predictions are that many shoppers will overlook Amazon and return to buying from the independent, out-of-state stores once again to bypass the extra taxes. When you go to the check out for your purchase, look at the taxes and fees before you buy. Keep shopping beyond Amazon and you may find the same product sold elsewhere without being taxed. Just be sure to read the reviews from shoppers before your buy from a company. Go to a search engine and type in the name of the company and add the word “complaints”.

Happy shopping!