Fly Away Cafe » taxes http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe Travel Tips and Destination Suggestions from a Flight Attendant Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:03:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Tax Day Escape to the Caymans http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe/tax-day-escape-to-the-caymans/ http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe/tax-day-escape-to-the-caymans/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:03:00 +0000 Mary Jo Manzanares http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe/?p=3092 Post from: Fly Away Cafe

]]> Tax day is here, and this always makes me think of those scofflaws who hide all sorts of money and assets in the Cayman Islands.  Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching too many movies, but some year on Tax Day I want to be in the Caymans. 

Stingray City Grand Cayman The Cayman Islands consist of three British Crown islands (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman) in the Caribbean Sea.  Grand Cayman is the more populated of the three islands, and is a popular stop for cruise ships.  Besides hiding assets, the Caymans are a popular spots for beach lovers, divers, and other water sports.

One of the most popular things to do on Grand Cayman is a visit to Stingray City.  Here you can feed and “pet” stingrays while snorkeling in knee deep water.  They are remarkable tame and friendly creatures.  There are also boats that will take visitors a little further out to do some “swimming” with the rays.

It’s been several years since I’ve been to the Caymans, but maybe I should make a plan to go next year for Tax Day.  Not hiding asses – just vacationing.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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]]> http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe/tax-day-escape-to-the-caymans/feed/ 0 Back to Basics: Sales Tax, GST, and VAT http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe/back-to-basics-sales-tax-gst-and-vat/ http://www.blisstree.com/flyawaycafe/back-to-basics-sales-tax-gst-and-vat/#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:09:00 +0000 Mary Jo Manzanares http://www.flyawaycafe.com/back-to-basics-sales-tax-gst-and-vat/ Post from: Fly Away Cafe

]]> Dollar Sign When we travel we often forget that things are not always as they are back “home.”  Here’s one difference that international visitors may find when they visit the United States:

Unlike many countries, the United States has no national sales tax that is comparable to the GST (goods and services tax) or the VAT (value added tax) that is found in many other countries.  Instead, each state, county and/or municipality sets their own tax rate.

This means that what you pay in tax in one location may be different from what you’d pay in another location.

Additionally, in some locations certain goods are tax exempt, most typically food, and some things are taxed at different rates.

Prices quoted on a sales tag or by sales personnel do not include tax, so be sure to take that additional charge into consideration when evaluating a purchase price.

Confused?  Just ask what the sales tax is.  We don’t try to keep track of what it is from one place to another, and not knowing isn’t a big deal.

One way that you may avoid paying sales tax is to have your purchase shipped out of state.  Since a shipping charge will likely apply, you need to make sure that any savings outweighs the additional cost.  If you’re making a rather large purchase, ask your sales clerk about this option and decide if it’s the way to go.

And if you’re visiting Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon, you’re really in luck.  Those states have no state sales tax at all.

 

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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