First off - based on the range of tax ammounts, you're only being charged tax on the breakfast sandwich (I'm guessing the breakfast sandwich is hot, the $5 footlong is not? California law, the hot sandwiches are taxable, cold are not).

Why the difference? Don't know. Possibly a difference in how they decide to charge it at the register causes the computer to decide different sub-totals are taxable? What's sales tax where you are?

That's correct.

I think it's 9%--or at least very close to that.

I know food tax laws are pretty wonky. Hot vs. cold, prepared on premises vs. not, etc. I figured tax jazz was entangled in this pricing oddity.

I went through my debit card history. On 6/2 I got charged $9.76, so there's a fourth variation. :rolleyes:

That is so strange. If it bounced back and forth between two figures, I could understand. But four? Maybe the tax is being charged on the full retail value, and each sandwich is a different price that is on the daily $5 foot long special. I don't even understand why the tax should be different for hot or cold, take away or eaten on premises. Tax laws are funky.

It's because a law as passed that tax cannot be charged for unprepared food (and baked goods). The premise being, people should be able to, you know, eat and survive without taxation. So in California, there's no tax on your groceries. And it was decided that stacking a bunch of groceries on bread doesn't count as preparing. Therefore a cold sandwich falls under that category. But a heated sandwich does not. And ordering to eat in rather than to-go makes you subject to tax because now you're not just buying groceries, you're taking advantage of a service.

At 9% tax, the $9.31 figure is probably what it's "supposed" to be. That works out the the correct 9% tax on a $3.95 hot sandwich. But I'm still betting that there are different ways the items can get rung up (as separate items, some sort of combo, a lower price something or other + a fee...) that end up with some slightly different value being used to calculate the tax.

Thank you, GD. That does make since. However, I would think any establishment preparing food would be considered "prepared food" and would be taxed accordingly- hot or cold. But frankly, I feel we are over taxed in CA so any time there is no tax I'm fine with it!

3D-Printed Zoetropes
More info at Nerdist

Interesting! :snap:

Some day they will be able to print you new body parts. They have tested the theory by using bacteria in the cartridge to make sure they survive the process, and they can use your own stem cells so your body won't reject it.

The advancements in science is absolutely staggering, amazing, and frightening all at the same time!

So?

So it's kinda quiet here

Yeah, it is. Is it Facebook? I find it hard to carry on a conversation there. But one only has so much time for social media I suppose....

Sooo... I entered a contest on the website of 104.3 MYFM radio. I was last week's finalist to win a Nissan Leaf electric car. I'm one of only 18 finalists, therefore I have a 1:18 chance of winning the car. Now I have to figure out how to pay $10,000 in taxes and charging station installation should I win.

Third world problems for sure.

I suppose I could check with my credit union for a loan, but I don't need the extra loan payments. I will certainly be contacting my tax consultant for sure. I also hear that I need to argue the difference of "fair market value" to "Manufacturer's suggested retail" price for what the taxes will be based on.

Or, I could see if the dealer will just buy it back. I don't really need a second car as my wife hasn't been able to drive for about 10 years. She may be able to drive some time in the future, but it may be years.