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Originally Posted by Mac
Still its not as bad as Americia where the supermarkets in Florida seemed to show all the prices without the sales tax and the check out bill was a bit of a shock the first time.
Mac
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That is the normal way here. I didn't know they did it any other way elsewhere.
It is the same in all the stores, except they usually don't charge any tax at all on food, except if it is served to you or considered a luxury item. So tax is charged in all restaurants, but, usually, not on food in supermarkets, just on all other items in supermarkets. In Pennsylvania, and maybe a few other states, they don't charge tax on clothes, either.
In California, besides the regular 7 to 8.5 % sales tax(depending on which county), they also charge you a luxury tax on wine and liquor!! Oh, and in addition to all of that, there is also a tax on the bottle that the wine comes in. All beverage containers(beer, pepsi, water, etc.) are charge an extra tax called a recycling fee. I think that, theoretically, you can get the money back, if you bring the empty container back to the store, but I have never seen anyone actually bring a bottle or can back; they would probably be shocked and not know what to do if you did, 'cause it never happens!
Since we already pay 39% income tax(33% federal, 6% state) on income over the amount of $28,000 per annum. Self-employed people, such as myself, have to pay an additional 15% for Social Security tax, and medical benefits tax, which is weird, since we get no medical coverage, but have to pay it for the elderly who do get some medical coverage.
So when you consider the sales tax (7 to 8.5%), state and federal taxes, then people are paying an incredible amount of taxes here. And the self-employed get taxed an unbelievable amount! I never thought that the taxation would get so bad in this country, but it has!
But someone has go to pay for the world's biggest army, I guess. You Euros get public healthcare, and paid vacations. We get an awesome fighting machine.
Somehow it seems unfair!
JayBee
