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In probably all European places I've seen, final consumer price is most prominently displayed (what I most care about). That doesn't mean VAT is hidden. It is c
by labawi 7y ago
In probably all European places I've seen, final consumer price is most prominently displayed (what I most care about). That doesn't mean VAT is hidden. It is clearly displayed, often in shop labels, but also required on receipts with each item (VAT rate, total), and a summary of individual VAT rates (rate, base, VAT).
People I know are well aware of the taxes here, both VAT, income taxes and mandatory health/benefits payments.
I think I would be quite annoyed if the taxes were omitted from the price until the cashier calculates it (or if I'm supposed to do mental gymnastics). Do you mentally calculate total price if the taxes are different? Or just apply a constant factor?
- oefrha 7y agoI for one either mentally multiply by 1.1 for an upper bound or don’t bother at all, mostly the latter, because (a) different items can be taxed differently; (b) different states (sometimes even different cities) have different tax rates. For the record I hate it because I only care about the out-of-pocket costs. Same goes for tips.
- chongli 7y agoI think I would be quite annoyed If you would be annoyed, then VAT is hidden in the most important sense. It's like a mosquito that can bite without making you itchy so that you don't notice it. Yes, everyone may be aware that mosquitos exist but without the annoying reminder they can do a much better job spreading malaria to unwitting people. VAT, being a sales tax, is a wealth transfer from the poor to the rich. The fact that you don't have to calculate it at checkout is a point against it, not in favour of it.