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Questions tagged [taxes]

Levies raised by governments and agencies as they relate to travel. Do not use for questions about duties imposed on crossing borders, for which there is the customs-and-immigration tag. Please also tag with the applicable country.

Tax.

97 questions
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Why are prices published without tax in the US?

On a recent trip to San Francisco it was always a surprise to see what to pay in stores. It was never as simple as just adding all the published prices. There was always the addition of taxes. Sometimes it was just an additional 50ct, but sometimes…
user141
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What additional costs can I expect when visiting a restaurant in the US where service is included?

I am going to a Michelin three-star restaurant in New York City this fall. On their website, it says that for the fixed-price tasting menu, both the course menu and the beverage pairing are ”inclusive of service”. Does that mean that if add those…
Daniel
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Item held by customs until I pay tax; what are my options?

I just arrived in the UK yesterday, from the US, carrying a piece of jewelry, which I intend to carry with me for the following months before I give it to someone at the right time and place, then presenting it to a special someone. Immigration…
Flimzy
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Why did the restaurant suggest I tip on the tax?

I had a meal in a restaurant and the total before tax was $17.00. The sale tax (7.5%) is $1.28 and the total after-tax is $18.28. The minimum suggested tip says 18% ($3.29) on the receipt. This is 18% of the price after tax, while 18% of the total…
Zuriel
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22
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Sales tax rate for hotel in Washington DC

Is it normal to have a 14 % tax rate in a hotel in Washington DC ? If so, why this is not mentioned and/or included in the price directly on booking ? PS: this is my first time in the USA.
din
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Are alcoholic beverages more expensive at night in Japan (in bars)?

I just went to a bar in Tokyo and asked for two beers (¥700 each). When we asked for the bill, the waitress charged us ¥2400. When I pointed out the error, she said something about taxes in Japan. Is this true? Are alcoholic beverages more expensive…
Hector Lorenzo
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15
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Paid for article while in US on F-1 visa?

I am an international Ph.D. student in the US and am planning to write an article for a US-based magazine. I'm doing this to increase my presence and build a relationship with this publisher. They will probably expect to pay me for this, but I am…
user63146
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When booking a cruise, how can I find a list of all the port fees in advance?

Some cruise sellers say "port fees extra." Sometimes those charges are more than the full retail cost, similar to marketing strategies that advertise a low product price paired with exorbitant "shipping and handling charges" that are really meant…
WBT
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Giving details to Airbnb host

I booked a property through Airbnb in Budapest. I checked the whole listing for any specific requirements and duly asked the host for it. He said none. But when I reached there he asked me to provide my details (Passport number, DoB, address etc). I…
DumbCoder
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Asking for VAT refund on online purchases in Europe

I want to buy some goods (around 700 pounds worth - a camera, a gpu and an ssd) from Amazon UK. As I am living in Europe right now (residence in Ireland) is it possible to ask for a VAT refund, even if the purchase is online, as it is the case of…
Drowze
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Do I need to pay charges / taxes to drive in London on the weekend?

I live outside London (but inside the M25). And I'm thinking of attending a course whose classes are in the city. I do have a car and I usually drive. Because of work, I think if they do classes on the weekend I'll attend those. I'm aware that in…
user8469759
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Can you legally refuse to pay resort fees in Hawaii?

A friend booked a hotel in Hawaii, and added taxes came to an extra 28% on the bill. Then there was a resort fee of 11% on top of that. Per day. Taxes are one thing, but he's protesting the daily resort fee. Some sites - eg Kill Resort Fees clearly…
Mark Mayo
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What happens if you don't pay the Panamá exit tax?

Yesterday we landed after a trip from Panama to Spain departing from PTY airport. Today a friend that travelled to Panama 3 years ago has told me that he had to pay a 40 dollars tax when he leaved the airport. Also he said that he has an exit stamp…
Ivan
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What effect will the new hotel tax have on hostel dormitory prices in Kyoto?

Apparently from March 2026 accommodation taxes are going to rise substantially in Kyoto. Here are some details for individual rooms that I found: The tax for rooms costing between 20,000 to 50,000 yen will double to 1,000 yen per person per…
hippietrail
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Visiting the United States while owing past income tax there

I lived legally in the US for 6 years on a student visa. I left 2 years ago, and due to family problems, I left without closing my company and without paying income tax. I want to come back and spend a week in New York. Would there be any problem…
Ronaldo Junior
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