Why the food not have tax?

Answer 1

Sales taxes imposed by state governments vary from state to state not only in rate, but also in what is subject to the tax. Many states (but not all) exclude food for home consumption from sales tax. However, foods purchased in restaurants and prepared foods are often not exempt from sales tax. Consequently, the restaurant must collect sales tax from the patrons.

Answer 2

It depends on where you are. Some states don't have any sales tax at all, and others tax different things and all define things differently....some things you may consider food, (or things you don't consider food), the laws in a particular area will define to be different than you think. Also, almost all areas, even if they exempt most food...don't exempt a meal....and when food becomes a meal is sometimes hard to figure out....in a Grocery for example buying lettuce and tomatoes at the produce department may be exempt as food, but from the salad bar there it is a meal! That said...why not tax food? The purpose of the tax is to raise the funds to run society. If it isn't raised by a sales tax, it is done through another tax....income., property, excise, etc....or perhaps by having a higher sales tax rate on all the other things.

Answer 3

Food is taxed to go because that is a decision made by your legislature in the state or under the government where you live. In some places taxes are a local decision, in others a state decision, and in others a national decision. It depends on politics.

Answer 4

Depending on where you live most food is exempt from tax. However there may be exemptions, such as candy and chocolate, alcoholic drinks, soda, dietary foods and health supplements, heated or ready made foods amongst others.