Submitted by guyinnova t3_z66s1v in LifeProTips
AtlEngr t1_iy0wzti wrote
It really does vary locally- around me absolutely none of them will sell to individuals. It’s a sales tax thing, they just don’t want to mess with it at all for the small percentage of business individuals represent.
medoy t1_iy1h0ql wrote
Businesses pay sales tax on supplies unless they will further resale the items.
ColgateSensifoam t1_iy2ug48 wrote
Varies locally, like they said
Locally to me, VAT is paid on everything that is not zero-rated, and then claimed back at the end of the fiscal year, the same time VAT is due, so the VAT bill is collected VAT minus claimed VAT
Clemon86 t1_iy2uhzz wrote
Well not in Germany for example. When you are a business you can buy the stuff you need to run it without paying sales taxes.
Like a carpenter who buys a hammer to make things a restaurant buys a knife to cook things.
Mothertruckerer t1_iy32uj2 wrote
Yeah, we do this differently here in Europe usually. Unfortunately this means we can't buy things as easily at wholesalers and businesses focused on B2B.
CaptainPunisher t1_iy2rya3 wrote
This. Restaurants are end users of the equipment, and thus need to pay sales/use tax for any merchandise.
tropic420 t1_iy1qy9q wrote
Have you checked since Covid? Restaurant Depot started selling to the public in early 2020 and AFAIK haven't stopped
guyinnova OP t1_iy1140y wrote
Out of curiosity, did you just do in and they asked or did you ask?
AtlEngr t1_iy122he wrote
Asked me “which account are you on?” - also they don’t accept cash - B2B purchase orders only. I mean I could register and get a business license and then set up an account but it doesn’t seem worth the cost and effort.
guyinnova OP t1_iy13n3g wrote
No, not worth any of that. But you notice a different one, try there. If I'm in a new city, even for the day, I'll look up stores for my hobbies. That's how I've found some of them.
Brunoise6 t1_iy1e2ns wrote
Depends on the kind of supply store. A wholesale one that doesn’t charge sales tax on food will require an account, but a supply store that doesn’t actually sell wholesale (tax free) food might not require an account.
stevensokulski t1_iy2dd4u wrote
> A wholesale one that doesn’t charge sales tax on food will require an account
Where do you live that you pay sales tax on food ingredients?
In most of the US you only pay sales tax in grocery stores on tools or prepared foods.
the_cardfather t1_iy2k960 wrote
Louisiana charges sales tax on food. Freaked me out the first time because I didn't have enough money. I said you charge tax on food??!? The lady looked at me like I had three heads.
noneedtoprogram t1_iy31ohh wrote
Still baffles me why Americans a) don't just include the tax on the sticker price so you know how much money your need, and b) for some reason some of them feel the need to defend this bizarre practice??
yukon-flower t1_iy35trl wrote
Sales tax can can vary based on the consumer (e.g., purchasing on behalf of self vs. on behalf of a non-profit), and regions change sales tax seemingly at whim for stuff like paying for a new local stadium. There are more than 10,000 different little sales tax regions in the United States.
Easier to compute at the register than redo a zillion price stickers.
It’s also just the way it’s done. There’s inefficient things in every country in the world. It’s just how it is and it would take too much of an effort to change things for countless shops and stores.
darklordbazz t1_iy13oeo wrote
Depending on where you are its not hard to register a sole proprietorship ($25 I think where I live for name registration) and sometimes it can be free if you use your name and just set up a business account with the store
oakteaphone t1_iy2hprw wrote
>it can be free if you sue your name
Jeez, it always comes back to litigation, doesn't it?
darklordbazz t1_iy2i5gg wrote
Lol, I mean use, fixed now
stevensokulski t1_iy2d6s0 wrote
Some chains are open to the public, like Standard Restaurant Supply.
Others, like Restaurant Depot require you to register with a business license.
The former will always say they’re open the public. And nobody cares whether you work in the industry or not.
[deleted] t1_iy3m3lb wrote
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