Why are car rental taxes so freakin high in Seattle? (Bellevue: how much, hotels)

[obsidian97]

Originally Posted by allforcats

Wasn't that along the lines of this thread -- government stinks?

No, I think that was more along the lines of a serious immigration policy problem. I think we can all agree that if you visit Seattle to eat the inhabitants... probably not a good thing.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by obsidian97

no, i think that was more along the lines of a serious immigration policy problem. I think we can all agree that if you visit seattle to eat the inhabitants... Probably not a good thing.

Thank you!

[Blindtom]

Take a bus into Seattle, and rent downtown. You save a lot, plus, it is not that much more to return it at the airport.

[70Ford]

Eventually, something will happen to Seattle. I'm unsure what...but you can't tax people who don't stand for it. We have the luxury of being able to leave.... Just like cops and firemen do...when they don't have enough money to prosper. There's a vast difference between prosperity and survival.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_10231059 (broken link)


You know what I would find hilarious? If Microsoft and Boeing both moved their head quarters to say, Bangeldesh. I'd just sit and watch the government crumble as they try to get more blood from less stones.

Economy of Bangladesh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

$2300 bucks per capita, per year. Think of the savings!

[azoria]

Boeing moved their headquarters to Chicago years ago.

[70Ford]

Egg. My face.

Should've said work centers..or factory..or most any other word but headquarters.

Woops!

Thanks!
http://fosterparkpethospital.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/happydog.jpg (broken link)

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by exit82

I understand-but honestly- I do find it truly insulting to the tourists, Lord know we will spend enough on Hotel rooms- (now please don't tell me- they do the same bend over routine with Hotel room taxes....) admissions, restaurants, souvenirs etc……..

Yes, they do. I think it works out to be close to 20% with all of the additional fees and taxes on hotel rooms. Make sure you confirm that though.

[cobolt]

I don't think this is specific to Seattle. I'm flying into INDY and the airfare is great but the rental car after the taxes is 100 dollars more than the weekly rental fee. If I fly into the next closest city an hour away, the car rental is much lower but the airfare is 100 dollars more.

[allforcats]

I believe hotel room tax here is 14% or 14.5%. For the moment...
Or is it restaurant bills that are 14%?

[obsidian97]

Originally Posted by allforcats

I believe hotel room tax here is 14% or 14.5%. For the moment...
Or is it restaurant bills that are 14%?

From wikipedia: Sales taxes in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Washington has a 6.5% statewide sales tax. As of October 31, 2007, sales tax is not applied on most food items and prescription medications (not including over-the-counter medications). Individual counties, municipalities and regional transit authorities are entitled to collect a sales tax, which vary from 0.5% to 2.5%. Within King County, the King County Food & Beverage (KCF&B) tax adds an additional .5% to food and beverages purchased in bars, taverns and restaurants resulting in an effective tax rate of 9.5% (9.0% on all other items).[65] Additionally, the sale or lease of motor vehicles for use on the road incur an additional 0.3% tax, rental of a car for less than 30 days has an additional state/local tax of 8.9%.[65] When renting a car for less than 30 days in Seattle, the total sales tax is 18.6%. When purchasing an automobile, if you trade in a car, the state subtracts the price of the trade when calculating the sales tax to be paid on the automobile (e.g., purchasing a $40,000 car and trading a $20,000 car, you would be taxed on the difference of $20,000 only, not the full amount of the new vehicle).
When staying at hotel (60+ rooms capacity) in Seattle, the sales tax is 15.6%. Residents of Canada and US states or possessions (only US and Canadian locations having a sales tax of less than 3%, e.g., Oregon, Alaska & Alberta) are exempt from sales tax on purchases of tangible personal property for use outside the state. Stores at the border will inquire about residency and exempt qualified purchasers from the tax.[66] Washington also has a Gross receipts tax called the Business and Occupations Tax (B&O).
Also, the seller of a house pays excise taxes on the full sale price. The amount of the varies by county. In King and Snohomish counties, it is up to 1.78%. For example, selling a house for $500K will cost you $8900 in taxes.
Residents of Washington are also obligated to pay a sales and use tax, which is incurred when a resident makes a purchase in another state and uses it within state lines, regardless of whether or not sales tax was paid in another state. This tax is based on an honor system for its residents and is seldom, if ever, paid.
The lowest combined sales tax (statewide and municipality) in Washington is 7.0% in most of Klickitat and Skamania Counties, while the highest combined sales tax in Washington is the aforementioned 9.5% tax on prepared food and beverages in King County.
April 1, 2008 saw tax increases in King County (+.001), Kittitas County (+.003), Mason County (+.001), and the city of Union Gap (+.002)[67], which makes King County's prepared food and beverages tax 9.501%.
On July 1, 2008, Washington stopped charging an origin-based sales tax, and started charging a destination-based sales tax. This change only applies to transactions beginning and ending within state lines and does not apply to other states.[65] Additionally, Washington started collecting taxes from online retailers that have voluntarily agreed to start collecting the sales tax in return for not being sued for back taxes.[68]