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A comment on H&R Block and Intuit Lobby Against Free and Simple Tax Filing (2017). Parent comment

Re:H&R Block and Intuit Lobby Against Free and Simple Tax Fi... by perl4ever on Monday January 21, 2019 @12:39AM (#18957920)
According to the Wikipedia page on VAT in the UK[1], while there are two rates and presumably everyone there knows them, there is a long arbitrary list of which item falls into the 20%, 5%, or 0% category. For example, it says "Biscuits (chocolate covered only)" are 20%, but "Smoking cessation products" are 5%.

Sales tax where I am has similar characteristics - I think most people are perfectly well aware (as I am) that it is generally 8%, but I couldn't tell you exactly which items are exempt, or what the modification is for prepared food or whatever.

So I think you are exaggerating (as people like to do) the difference between the US and the UK.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value-added_tax_in_the_United_...

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:H&R Block and Intuit Lobby Against Free and Simple Tax Fi... by maccard on Monday January 21, 2019 @03:50AM (#18958829)
Completely disagree that it's an exaggeration. If I walk into a supermarket in the UK, it doesn't matter if I know that certain goods are exempt or 5%, because the amount im going to pay is already considered on the sticker.

There's no excuse for the sticker price not matching in the US.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:H&R Block and Intuit Lobby Against Free and Simple Tax Fi... by perl4ever on Monday January 21, 2019 @09:22PM (#18965520)
Because it is listed separately, you know which rate you're paying. Isn't it good to have more information?
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Re:H&R Block and Intuit Lobby Against Free and Simple Tax Fi... by koyote on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @12:45AM (#18966244)
I am not 100% sure I get what you meant so I apologise if I misunderstood. But are you under the impression that the tax is not listed on the receipt in other countries? (it is)
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:H&R Block and Intuit Lobby Against Free and Simple Tax Fi... by maccard on Tuesday January 22, 2019 @03:45AM (#18966923)
My receipts show the taxes im paying. I don't think I've ever seen the tax listed separately on the sticker in the US, so ive actually got less information. Without knowing the tax rate of the area I'm in for the goods in advance, I don't know how much I'm paying
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