LtDan2d 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 threadMannivu2d ago
For what I can remember, it’s because every state has a different VAT (and maybe it can differ from county to county), so it’s easier for them to display the base price and add VAT only at the counter.
Show threadtrollercoaster2d ago
Why would that be easier? They have to calculate the full price including VAT anyway. So why not when printing the price tags?
Show threadTachyonTele2d ago
Because the sales tags are printed nationwide by companies. And local businesses aren’t going to try and figure out the tax by themselves.
Show threadrumschlumpel2d ago
Sales tags are stupidly easy to print, though. You can even do that with handheld devices.
Show threadTachyonTele2d ago

Yes they are.

The numbers on them are different for every town city and state though.

Show threadTuuktuuk2d ago

In EU they handle this by showing a bunch of prices on the same price tag. You choose the correct line according to where you are located and the price stands there.

Not very difficult.

And, most.importantly, done by all US clothes stores that operate in at least two countries in the EU.

Show threadTachyonTele
It can be done, absolutely. Those are a couple reasons they don’t though.
Mar 28 at 1:37pmWeb
Show threadTuuktuuk2d ago
You probably meant to say “reasonings” not “reasons”, right?