LtDan1d ago

Is VAT more straightforward in Europe than USA?

https://lemmy.zip/post/61547136

Is VAT more straightforward in Europe than USA? - Lemmy.zip

I mean, as a European: have you visited the US and noticed that they don’t even include tax within the price (meaning you’ll pay more at checkout since that’s where it only appears)? It’s ridiculous, most countries include VAT within the price of their goods and services but. At least within the EU, VAT is included within the price making it final without any arithmetic.

Show threadBuffalox

I think it’s illegal in Europe to list prices excluding VAT, I know for sure it is in my home country Denmark, that makes it much simpler as a customer in Europe than in USA.

USA is a country of lawlessness, and lack of consumer protection, where sellers are allowed many “tricks” that are illegal in EU, it’s not just the VAT, but also misleading labeling and marketing.

Mar 28 at 9:42amWeb
Show threadLtDan1d ago
The amount of pharmaceutical ads are crazy when I’ve visited the US, sometimes with bogus claims.
Show threadmr_anny1d ago

In Finland businesses that mainly target their sales to other businesses can list with VAT 0%.

In the consumer market tge VAT is mandatory.

Show threadEril1d ago

I think it is similar in Germany. Businesses buying from each other don’t have to pay VAT (so they can mark it as 0%, but it isn’t misleading either, because they actually pay 0%), so that the vat is only paid by the end consumer.

But I am just writing this from memory, so I could be off. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong

Show threadBuffalox1d ago
Exactly, something that isn’t even legal to advertise in EU, is aggressively advertised with misleading claims.
Show threadsomethingDotExe1d ago
And poisionous products to enhance taste and addiction.
Show threadNatanael1d ago
Here in Sweden you can list with and without, since businesses can buy without VAT (technically they get to subtract the VAT on purchases from their tax bill) so shops which have businesses clients tend to do both while regular shops only list it with VAT
Show threadBuffalox1d ago
Yes which makes sense, since businesses deduct the VAT anyway.
I think pretty obviously we are talking consumers here. I also stated consumer protection.
Show threadmimavox1d ago
Sure, but regular stores don’t have such listings. Everything is VAT included.
Show threadNatanael1d ago
We have physical stores doing both. It’s not many, but common in office supply stores.
Show threadmimavox1d ago
Yes, but I’m talking about regular stores. Not the kind that you visit for office supply and such. If you’re aren’t a business owner, you never have to think about VAT.
Show threadGriffus1d ago
For this reason, in Norway, prices are always including VAT, but on the receipt it is highlighted what part of the price is product/service and what is VAT, so companies can get the VAT refunded.
Show threadohulancutash1d ago
EU prices for consumer goods and services must be listed VAT inclusive, but price listings specifically aimed at exterior export or business customers can quote prices ex-VAT, as long as the VAT rate is also quoted and it is made clear these are b2b prices.
Show threadBuffalox1d ago
Which makes sense, because businesses deduct the VAT anyway.
I think pretty obviously we are talking consumers here. I also stated consumer protection.