>a sales tax on a state level Some states have taxes, some don't. Some states allow cities or counties to have taxes, some don't. Some tax different items diff

>a sales tax on a state level Some states have taxes, some don't. Some states allow cities or counties to have taxes, some don't. Some tax different items differently. Most places have no tax on food in grocery stores, but tax restaurants (as it is a service). One city can tax clothes, but one does not, etc. For example, in New York City, there is a small tax on most/all (a fraction of a percent) taxable items to fund the mass transit system there, the MTA. Some places make up for lack of/lower sales tax by larger property taxes, or other types of taxes (lotteries, etc...) High tourist areas can tax things like rental cars and hotels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_State... I think it's more part of the United States culture, with things being done on a more local level. It's in the long run, confusing.