US sales tax
Value-added tax is called Tax or Sales Tax in the United States. In contrast to Germany, this is included in very few final prices. So you usually see the net prices in the shops. The tax rate varies depending on the state and city. As a shopping USA tourist, you must also consider import sales tax and customs duties.
For tourists from Germany, comparing prices with German prices in the USA is a bit complicated. The reason lies in the opaque VAT regulations. In contrast to the Germans, the Americans do not have any national sales tax regulations.
Net prices are shown in the shops
In the US, the tax rate is not uniformly regulated by the government. Here the tax sovereignty lies with the respective states. That is why there are different sales tax regulations in the various states. In addition, special regulations sometimes even apply to individual cities or municipalities. Depending on the state or city, the sales tax consists of various duties and taxes. This creates large spans across the country. Therefore there is no uniform sales tax for the whole of the USA.
The difference in sales tax is also the reason why the respective tax is not shown in the sales prices of many products. For example, when you go shopping in New York, the first thing you might be surprised is that the price is so cheap. Then comes the rude awakening at the cash register. Only here does the seller add VAT to the sales price.
Examples of different sales tax rates in the US
For some things, Americans charge in certain Regions of the USA no sales tax at all. This sometimes applies to clothing or medicines, as well as normal foods. In return, depending on the region, you have to shell out considerably more than the net price for alcoholic beverages, for example. In general, you pay around 7 to 8% for souvenirs, hotel taxes are around 8 to 15% in many cities. For example, in Delaware you can have your dinner in a restaurant tax-free. Florida is one of the cheap states, here you don't pay any tax on basic food in the supermarket. Also, there is no tax here purchase of cars.
Save cash with discount cards
One of the travel tips for tourists in the USA is the discount cards. International Saving Cards can save you money while shopping in the US. Publishers are large chain stores such as Bloomigsdale or Macy's. Here you get at least 10% discount on your purchase. You can buy these discount cards in the visitor centers, where you have to present your passport.
Thanks to the Internet, the search for bargains is no longer limited to German ...
What to consider when leaving the country
On your trip to the USA, you notice that the prices here for products such as clothing are significantly lower than in Germany. Please keep in mind, however, that you will still have to pay 19% import sales tax on your purchases when you return to Germany. Sometimes there are additional customs fees. The import sales tax also applies to online purchases.
