True Cost Economics is currently creating a sizable ruckus in the academic world, and its value as a system of thought is starting to be recognized by the economic establishment. -- Brendan Themes Go there >>True Cost Economics
Combined with the fact that sales tax is tied to consumption rather than income, this leads some to the conclusion that low-income individuals and families pay a greater proportion of their incomes in sales taxes, therefore sales tax is regressive. You're supposed to read regressive as unfair.
What is the difference between sales tax and use tax? The sales tax is imposed on retail transactions. It applies to all retail sales of tangible personal property, and in some states services, in the state. The use tax is imposed on consumers of tangible personal property that is used, consumed, or stored in this state. Consumerâs use tax applies to purchases from out-of-state vendors that are not required to collect tax on their sales. Sales and Use tax generally applies to most leases of tangible personal property.