Sales tax and the price on the shelf

Exclusive vs inclusive tax — and why receipts differ by region.

In some places the shelf price excludes tax and the register adds it. Elsewhere the displayed price already includes tax. Know which system you are in before you compare “cheap” across borders. Discounts usually apply to the taxable base according to local rules. A coupon before tax is not always the same as a percent off the final total. When budgeting travel or online orders, check whether shipping and digital goods are taxed differently from in-store purchases. The calculator helps with the arithmetic; the jurisdiction sets the rate.