Comment by estimator7292
7 hours ago
Come on, this is not complicated. It's elementary algebra. You sum the rounded prices, then add a credit or surcharge of 2 cents to make the tax come out to a round number.
The tax is on the actual, real amount in your transaction subtotal. You are charged sales tax on the actual, real money you pay for the entire transaction. Then you multiply by 1.06 or whatever the tax rate is. That's how sales tax works.
If one rearranges the equations as we all learned in 5th grade, one can compute the amount that the subtotal must be to get a round number after tax. Then you charge or credit the customer the difference.
Alternatively, the retailer can simply pay the 4 cent difference in sales tax.
That's it. You either do algebra or just pay the difference. It is not complicated.
You have to do this algebra per state and locale, and your reward is higher advertised prices than the shop next door. I think you both underestimate the problem and overestimate everyone involved in retail, especially the consumer.
I’m not saying it’s hard, I’m saying there is enough friction where it’s just not going to happen without legislation mandating it.
> it’s just not going to happen without legislation mandating it.
Obviously, and I don't think anyone said otherwise.
Well, this is happening without legislation mandating it (that’s kinda the problem, our federal legislature doesn’t legislate much and is being largely ignored)