Sales Tax and Property Tax
01.Sales Tax at the Register
Unlike countries where VAT is included in the shelf price, US stores display prices BEFORE sales tax. When you check out, the local sales tax rate is added. Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon) have no sales tax.
02.Property Tax Structure
If you own a home, you must pay property tax to your local county. This tax is a percentage of your home's assessed value. Property taxes are the primary source of funding for local public schools and road maintenance.
03.Indirect Housing Costs
If you rent an apartment, your landlord factors property taxes into your monthly rent. High property tax areas often have highly-funded public schools, which is a key consideration when choosing where to live.