> 
> 
> > Sales tax.  Similar to a VAT.  A portion goes to the city in which
> > it
> > was sold, a portion to the county in which the city is situated and 
> > a
> > portion to the state.  However no federal sales tax in the United
> > States.  Proportions vary.  May also include special assessments 
> > above
> > and beyond the base tax rate(s).
> 
> > Funds used to pay for "services" provided by city, county and state.
> 
> 
> Sales taxes and their equivalents in many countries are waivable or 
> refundable for non-nationals as it's recognise that said 
> services have 
> not been provided to them.
> 
> Either you can fill in a refund form which is presented to 
> the customs 
> department at nominated locations or the goods may be 
> delivered to the 
> point of departure from the country. The latter is less 
> convenient but 
> in some countries (such as my own)(afaik) is the only way it is 
> achieved. In the EU one may submit the form at any border crossing or 
> by mail to certain authorised agencies.  I bought a HP laptop in 
> Vienna, Austria and had the sales tax refunded by mail after I 
> returned home.
> 
>         Russell McMahon

As the sales tax in the US is NOT a federal tax, but a state and local
tax, I doubt very much you can get it refunded.  Good luck trying.
Unless there is a federal treaty with the country in question,
individual states are not authorized to negotiate treaties with
sovereign nations (desperately trying to remember high school civics
class...).

On the other hand, mail-order when there is not a brick-and-mortar
location in the state of the receiving party, quite often there is no
sales tax charged by the seller.  But it is still the responsibility of
the buyer to make the payment to the local authority.  I imagine few do.

Some retailers are beginning to collect state sales tax on all sales and
make the remittance themselves.  And some states have modified their
state income tax (those that have a state income tax) forms to include a
portion where you must estimate how much you spent out-of-state and make
a payment.

Rob
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