Officials in Olympia publicly responded this week to set Canadians and businesses straight about who qualifies for non-resident tax exemptions.
The department has recently received many calls from retailers who say some British Columbia customers claim they are entitled to the sales tax break.
Washington Department of Revenue spokesperson Mike Gowrylow says some shoppers have even threatened to go elsewhere if area retailers do not honor the tax exemption.
Gowrylow also says the exemption is only available to residents of states or provinces that have a sales tax rate less than three percent.
B.C. currently has a high harmonized tax on goods and services which will revert to a seven percent provincial sales tax starting April 1.
