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It's extremely common in the US. Each state, county, city, different "special districts" can impose their own sales tax. For things like national chains it would be impossible to advertise prices, as one store may be under 10% sales tax and a mile away one is under 15%.

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But then what about buying stuff online like amazon? Coming from Europe this sounds very confusing.

They collect sales tax. If you buy from a small retailer out-of-state, you;'re supposed to declare the purchase on your state tax return and pay 'use tax' (ie the sales tax you would have paid if you'd bought it locally).

It's far less confusing in practice. I mean if Americans are as dumb as Europeans assume us to be then surely it would be chaos over here if it were really as complicated as it's made to sound in Europe.

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