At least one web site I've looked at says sales tax will be payable by New York residents, implying visitors are a different case. Usually it's phrased that way only on things being ordered via phone or web and being shipped out of state. If you're walking into a store, you're paying sales tax (you might be able to get it back being as you're leaving the country, but I don't think so) except in some places, they'll skip it if you pay cash. As for B&H, I tend to find their staff to be rude, and their location sucks. I prefer Adorama on 18th street. Their prices seem to be similar.