America is not a homogenous country. We have cultural, racial, ethnic, geographic, social, and other major differences among major populations of Americans. Some of these groups don't take care of themselves so the averages are brought down. Of course, no one wants to discuss these things for fear of being called bigoted. Plus, there's a huge political incentive among many liberal Americans who want universal medical coverage. So they use this "average" negative statistic as an argument for why we need government coverage. They never break out the statistics by groups. Most Americans are perfectly happy with their medical coverage, or were until the government screwed it up by getting involved.
Ugghhhhkodachrome
European VAT's and other add-on taxes are "hidden" to fool Europeans as to how much of the real cost of the item is just taxes.
I just bought a piece of hardware for my analogue darkroom from amazon.com and am still buying books from book depository.com so I don't get the kerfuffle?
Ok then, will report back as I don't plan on NOT attempting to buy from Amazon or B&H in the foreseeable futureI believe amazon.com's blacklisting of Australian postal addresses starts on July 1 to coincide with the commencement of the GST for imported goods under $1000. As far as I know Book Depository has not made any changes to their business practices in regards to ordering from buyers from Australian addresses?
How can they legally charge GST on international postage from an overseas supplier?
Some states, such as Oregon, have no sales tax, so the price marked is what you pay.
Even for states with a sales tax, usually food that you buy in a store (as opposed to being served) and medicine is not taxed.
Some states have no income tax. The theory, I suppose, is that it is more fair to tax one's consumption than income. Poorer people don't get penalized on their income and can control their sales tax by avoiding more expensive products.
So the U.S. combinations are:
- states with no income tax and no sales tax (e.g. Alaska)
- states with no income tax and sales tax (e.g. Washington)
- states with income tax and no sales tax (e.g. Oregon)
- states with income tax and sales tax (most states)
Additionally, there are a few cities that impose a tax.
Only in respect of retail sales. Wholesale prices are invariably quoted exclusive of GST but it is still added to the final invoice. The assumption is that the product will eventually be either retailed or converted to another product by the application of other materials and/or labour and will pick up more GST liability along the way through markups and value adding in manufacture. So the original purchaser gets a full refund of the GST originally paid but presents the government with a larger tax haul by virtue of having added value to the original good purchased.In OZ, all prices quoted must be GST inclusive... so when you finally make it downnder, no surprises for you!
But the third highest property tax in the USA. Their gasoline tax is lower than most at about 24 cents/gallon. Oh well, each state gov't has to have cash to operate and I prefer nice roads and an educated population. The state will get the money one way or another -- better than a King taking it all.New Hampshire with no real sales tax or income tax.
But the third highest property tax in the USA. Their gasoline tax is lower than most at about 24 cents/gallon. Oh well, each state gov't has to have cash to operate and I prefer nice roads and an educated population. The state will get the money one way or another -- better than a King taking it all.
July 1 is not all doom and gloom.
The day is auspicious. It is International Free Hugs Day (is there a hugs emoji on Photrio??), power prices will be dropping, plastic bags in supermarkets will be banned (fiinally!!), wearing of glasses for passport photos will be banned, credit score reporting will be mandatory among banks, there's a bit of tax relief to middle-income earners, parking fines will be slashed in New South Wales (among the highest in the country) and the minimum wage will increase by $24.30 a week (that means your PhD-equipped Barista will have an extra good reason to be cheerful!).
So many positives, people! Chin up, and onwards...
Again- don't say it too loudly or Canada may elect to do what Australia is doing and collect on the small, non commercial purchases that currently come in tax free because of the administrative burden.Canada already charges GST and acts as a collector for the applicable provincial sales tax ("PST") on all foreign purchases - when they elect to process and collect it.
However, due to the administrative burden - it costs money to do it - the majority of small, non-commercial purchases come in tax free.
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I actually worked as a customs officer at a "travelers" (most arriving by car) port in the 1980s.Again- don't say it too loudly or Canada may elect to do what Australia is doing and collect on the small, non commercial purchases that currently come in tax free because of the administrative burden.
Only in respect of retail sales. Wholesale prices are invariably quoted exclusive of GST but it is still added to the final invoice. The assumption is that the product will eventually be either retailed or converted to another product by the application of other materials and/or labour and will pick up more GST liability along the way through markups and value adding in manufacture. So the original purchaser gets a full refund of the GST originally paid but presents the government with a larger tax haul by virtue of having added value to the original good purchased.
In Australia, GST replaced a nationally levied sales tax. The sales tax on film and paper was, I think, around 22% of the wholesale price but the sales tax on finished photographic prints, while at the same rate, was applied to only 12.5% of the retail price. In the case of professional photographers, GST created a huge impost. Consider the case of someone selling a print for $99 (incl. GST) that may have only cost $5 to produce. GST of $9 (10%) was payable where the earlier sales tax was calculated at 22% of 12.5% of $99 = $2.73. This illustrates why GST is so insidious. It is all of these rolled together: a retail sales tax, a tax on the manufacture of products and a tax on human skill.
Here in Oz though we can at least be thankful that so far no political party has found the courage to increase our relatively modest 10% rate of GST.
Love hearing that! The last thing we want is a government looking for a new revenue stream!I actually worked as a customs officer at a "travelers" (most arriving by car) port in the 1980s.
It was very clear back then that the government wanted to devote as little in the way of financial resources as possible to the enforcement of those sorts of taxing provisions.
And everything I see now is consistent with that too.
added some items to a cart at B&H and went part way into the purchasing process and there was no mention of collecting GST or not shipping to Australia, so fingers crossed that nothing has changed there.
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