Just wondering about something...

[1cat2ferrets]

Do stores where you live charge tax on candy??

I ask because I bought some chocolate today for my son and was charged $0.49 tax on the total. I told the kid that food wasn't supposed to be taxed and he said, "It's chocolate." I said, "Well, you EAT chocolate, don't you?" I paid and went home fuming.

 

Just curious, because eons ago when I worked retail we were told NOT to tax anything you eat, i.e. candy.

 

Thanks for letting me vent a little. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know.

[hornblower]

Chocolate & candy is taxed in Canada. It's 5% goods & services tax nation wide. There may be provincial taxes too on top of that. Only 'basic grocery' items are exempt from gst.

[lionfamily1999]

Tax is supposed to be "on the dollar", but no one seems to do that anymore. Food is taxed, but nothing should be taxed until it reaches a dollar (here, at least).

[Cheryl in NM]

Convenience foods might be taxed in your area.

[elegantlion]

Our state charges tax on food, although it is at a lower rate than other products. Nothing is tax free in our state.

[Tree House Academy]

In TN, we are taxed on EVERYTHING at the same rate...9.25%! But we don't pay state taxes.

[siloam]

You need to move to Oregon. We don't have a sales tax, just income and property. :D

 

Heather

[Suzanne in ABQ]

In one of the states I lived in, (I can't remember which one -- I've lived in too many states!) I remember that groceries weren't taxed, but restaurant food was taxable. SO, if you went to a convenience store, and picked up a cold burrito, it wasn't taxed. But, if you put it in the microwave before bringing it to the cash register, it WAS!

 

Screwy, I tell you. ;o)

 

So, it doesn't surprise me that candy is taxed. Like we tell our kids, "Candy isn't food. It has no nutritional value." (of course, the same can be said for iceburg lettuce, but I digress)

[Brenda in FL]

In Florida, candy is taxed but regular grocery items and medicines are not. (and I consider chocolate medicine - hmpph!)

 

I haven't paid attention in Georgia.

[K&Rs Mom]

In one of the states I lived in, (I can't remember which one -- I've lived in too many states!) I remember that groceries weren't taxed, but restaurant food was taxable. SO, if you went to a convenience store, and picked up a cold burrito, it wasn't taxed. But, if you put it in the microwave before bringing it to the cash register, it WAS!

 

 

Sounds like Michigan - things you eat right now are taxable, things you take home to prepare are not.

[LisaKinVA]

In FL (at least this is how it was when I was 16 or so), there were food categories and taxable food categories.

 

Taxable food included things like: Candy, Ice Cream (novelties), prepared food. You didn't pay tax on milk, bread, veggies, fruits, etc.

 

In Virginia, (looking at my receipt), it looks like all food is taxed -- although, apparently not at the full 5% rate.

 

In California (this was like 20 years ago), they had a similar system to Florida. Most food wasn't taxed, unless it was candy & ice cream (or similar items). I only lived in Georgia for a year... and I don't remember.

[Laurel]

All food is taxed in OK.

[LizzyBee]

Candy, soda, and prepared foods are subject to sales tax in NC.

[kewb]

Prepared foods are taxable. Chocolate can be eaten right away and therefore can be taxed.

[HRAAB]

All food is taxed here - Idaho.

 

Janet

[ccm]

I recently purchased some chocolate for my children's Christmas stockings and I did not pay tax here in Massachusetts.