Arguing about sales tax

[MaseMan]

When I worked at an electronics store, I remember ringing up a fairly expensive purchase for a customer, and he was shocked that there was "extra" tacked onto the price. Turns out he was from Montana (IIRC), which doesn't have a state sales tax. He didn't understand why he should have to pay sales tax, like he had never heard of the concept before.

[ravevolution]

Whenever a customer complains about sales tax, I tell them to bring it up with the state/government

[MrSmiley]

Had somebody complain about the taxes we "never told him about" (5% GST (federal), 5% PST (provincial) for most items) on an item. And said we should be ashamed of ourselves for not having the total tax-included price displayed on the contract he signed.

He's the first person who's ever complained (to me) about this in two years.

No provincial sales tax one province over in Alberta... ~350km away.

[Depot Denizen]

When I was working at the college computer store I had some students come in and loudly complain about the 7% sales tax (1% city, 6% state). They then proclaimed that we should display the "final" price of each item including tax, at which point I said no store does that.

[Whiskey]

I mean, where can you go where there's no sales tax?!

Oregon. Border towns in California/Washington will waive sales tax to Oregon residents.

[greek_jester]

When I was working at the college computer store I had some students come in and loudly complain about the 7% sales tax (1% city, 6% state). They then proclaimed that we should display the "final" price of each item including tax, at which point I said no store does that.

Actually, I kind of agree with that, but then I live in the UK so I'm used to having the total inclusive of tax shown, rather than the total exclusive. Since only businesses who are Value Added Tax (VAT) registered can claim back tax, there's no real point.

Minor addendum - certain shops that sell items used to make the lives of disabled or elderly people easier can deduct the VAT from the sale to the customer, but only if they fill in a form with their details & the disability/infirmity. Discovered this when buying stuff for my mum.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

When I was working at the college computer store I had some students come in and loudly complain about the 7% sales tax (1% city, 6% state). They then proclaimed that we should display the "final" price of each item including tax, at which point I said no store does that.

Probably because you do have state and local sales tax rates to keep track of, and anytime those rates change you have to re-label every item in the store.

[Dave1982]

Probably because you do have state and local sales tax rates to keep track of, and anytime those rates change you have to re-label every item in the store.

That and there may be state regulations about it. In my state, it's against Department of Revenue regs to post tax-inclusive prices. The only exceptions I know of are gasoline/diesel and cigarettes.

[Food Lady]

I've lived in this state 8 years and I still don't know what gets taxed and what doesn't, regarding food items. Why? Because I don't care. It's a few extra cents or a dollar or two. I can't believe people argue over 7 cents.

[Racket_Man]

try living in a specific town or village or county. AND that small county pays for the MASSIVE upgrades to the local NFL football temple with huge bond issues AND an extra 0.5% sales tax added on top of the prevailing 5% tax. now that 0.5% tax is only (from my unterstanding) on certain products.

Now try one from a BIG metro area; Chicago. last time I heard (if someone knows different I stand corrected) Chicago was adding like a 1% tax on all hotel rooms, fountain and bottled soda and other various food items. go just outside of Chicago in Cook County and those taxes go away

[smileyeagle1021]

The Wasatch Front is terrible for changing sales tax rates, each county sets their own rates, and theoretically each city can set their own rates too (which explains why Riverdale is the largest retail center in the state, because they have the lowest taxes in Weber County)