E911 Cost Recovery: $0.48
Regulatory Recovery: $1.97
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sales Tax - Kitchen Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 0.03
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.03
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.00
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.03
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.00
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 0.40
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.37
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.04
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.37
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.04
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 0.90
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.84
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.08
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.84
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.08
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 0.10
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.9
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.9
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 0.98
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.92
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.09
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.92
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.09
Friday, August 26, 2011
Annual Phone Renewal
I renewed my VOIP phone plan (it's annual) for a seemingly low price... then got whomped with all sorts of taxes:
NY MCTD 186c: $1.27
Excise Tax: 5.33
Transit Tax: 0.78
Sales Tax: 16.56
FUSF (VoIP): 17.66
FCC Regulatory Fee (VoIP): 0.46
E911: 0.35
Now some explanation:
NY MCTD 186c: MTA tax for certain NYC-area counties
Excise Tax: This is a tax that originated in 1898 with the Spanish-American war. It was repealed and then reinstated in following wars, eventually becoming indefinite after WWII. A few years ago, it was eliminated for long-distance service, and now only applies to local service. Although it is a phone tax, the tax revenue doesn't go to fund anything telecom-specific.
Transit Tax: Used to fund transit projects in the service area. This is distinct from the MTA tax above.
Sales Tax: This seems high, sepcially since MCTD is calculated separately. I've opened an inquiry with my phone provider about it.
FUSF: "This surcharge is imposed for the purpose of providing telecommunications services at an affordable price to schools, libraries, rural health care providers, and low-income customers."
FCC Regulatory Fee (VoIP): The money to pay the regulators needs to come from somewhere!
E911: Another E911 recovery fee. Note that the E911 fee here is separate from the monthly cost recovery fee.
NY MCTD 186c: $1.27
Excise Tax: 5.33
Transit Tax: 0.78
Sales Tax: 16.56
FUSF (VoIP): 17.66
FCC Regulatory Fee (VoIP): 0.46
E911: 0.35
Now some explanation:
NY MCTD 186c: MTA tax for certain NYC-area counties
Excise Tax: This is a tax that originated in 1898 with the Spanish-American war. It was repealed and then reinstated in following wars, eventually becoming indefinite after WWII. A few years ago, it was eliminated for long-distance service, and now only applies to local service. Although it is a phone tax, the tax revenue doesn't go to fund anything telecom-specific.
Transit Tax: Used to fund transit projects in the service area. This is distinct from the MTA tax above.
Sales Tax: This seems high, sepcially since MCTD is calculated separately. I've opened an inquiry with my phone provider about it.
FUSF: "This surcharge is imposed for the purpose of providing telecommunications services at an affordable price to schools, libraries, rural health care providers, and low-income customers."
FCC Regulatory Fee (VoIP): The money to pay the regulators needs to come from somewhere!
E911: Another E911 recovery fee. Note that the E911 fee here is separate from the monthly cost recovery fee.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 0.17
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.16
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.16
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
Sales Tax - Gifts
This was shipped directly to the recipient, so the local tax in this case is his county, not mine.
NY Sales Tax (4%): 1.22
County Sales Tax - Suffolk (4.25%): 1.30
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.11
County Sales Tax - Suffolk (4.25%): 1.30
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.11
Sales Tax - Gift
Again, the gift was sent to the recipient. Like today's other gift purchase, it was chosen off of an online store's wedding registry. The registry is a list of wanted gifts, and allows for shipment to a (hidden) address specified by the registrant. But because I'm paying careful attention to taxes, I can tell that this one was shipped to CT, whereas the other was sent to the groom's hometown in NY.
CT Sales Tax (6.35%): 1.20
CT Sales Tax (6.35%): 1.20
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 1.22
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.14
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.11
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.14
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.11
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): 0.12
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Sales Tax - Home Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): $1.82
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.71
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.17
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.71
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.17
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sales Tax - Prepaid Top-Up
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.60
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.56
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.56
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
Gas - 11.574 gal
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): 2.13
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 1.97
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.93
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.53
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 1.97
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.93
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.53
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Sales Tax - Eating Out
Just some pizza... not too expensive:
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.32
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.30
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.3
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.32
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.30
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.3
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monthly Summary - May
Likely Recurring
NY Sales Tax: $3.21
Dutchess County Sales Tax: 4.93
MTA Tax: 0.29
Federal Gas Tax: 4.29
NY State Petroleum Business Tax: 2.01
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee: 0.01
E911 Cost Recovery: $0.48
Regulatory Recovery: $1.97
Likely Non-Recurring:
NY Law Enforcement Fee (auto ins): $5.00
CT Excise Tax: 2.87
CT Gross Receipts Tax: 2.33
CT Sales Tax: 1.92
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
Other Int'l Charge: 15.80
Other Int'l Charge: 3.70
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
Airport fee: 18.30
Passenger service charge: 16.19
French airport tax: 5.98
VAT adjustment tax: 2.31
Solidarity tax: 1.44
Monthly Total: $113.03
YTD Total: $350.40
NY Sales Tax: $3.21
Dutchess County Sales Tax: 4.93
MTA Tax: 0.29
Federal Gas Tax: 4.29
NY State Petroleum Business Tax: 2.01
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee: 0.01
E911 Cost Recovery: $0.48
Regulatory Recovery: $1.97
Likely Non-Recurring:
NY Law Enforcement Fee (auto ins): $5.00
CT Excise Tax: 2.87
CT Gross Receipts Tax: 2.33
CT Sales Tax: 1.92
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
Other Int'l Charge: 15.80
Other Int'l Charge: 3.70
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
Airport fee: 18.30
Passenger service charge: 16.19
French airport tax: 5.98
VAT adjustment tax: 2.31
Solidarity tax: 1.44
Monthly Total: $113.03
YTD Total: $350.40
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Gas - 11.838gal
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): 2.18
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 2.01
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.95
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.49
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 2.01
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.95
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.49
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Sales Tax - Household Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.10
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.09
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 0.09
MTA Tax (0.375%): 0.01
Airfare, CDG-TLS
As I said in my previous post, Air France seems to be better at itemizing taxes and fees. However, it's impossible to find the itemized list after paying! So I actually went back and went through the process of buying another ticket to get these numbers. This is for a $50 ticket for intra-Franco travel:
Airport fee: 18.30
Passenger service charge: 16.19
French airport tax: 5.98
VAT adjustment tax: 2.31
Solidarity tax: 1.44
Solidarity tax? That's a new one. Investopedia says it's a tax used to provide funds for unifying projects of the country. However this article states that it is a 1 euro charge per ticket that is used to fund international health programs (tuberculosis, etc).
Airport fee: 18.30
Passenger service charge: 16.19
French airport tax: 5.98
VAT adjustment tax: 2.31
Solidarity tax: 1.44
Solidarity tax? That's a new one. Investopedia says it's a tax used to provide funds for unifying projects of the country. However this article states that it is a 1 euro charge per ticket that is used to fund international health programs (tuberculosis, etc).
Airfare, JFK-CDG; MAD-JFK
Unlike my January flight, I paid with frequent flier miles. Still, I was required to pay real money for some of the taxes and fees. Here's the breakdown of the $39.50 I paid for 2 one-way tickets:
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
Other Int'l Charge: 15.80
Other Int'l Charge: 3.70
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
Apparently, redeeming an award ticket results in some waived fees. For example, there wasn't an International Transportation tax of $16.30. Also, the above itinerary doesn't have any connections, so maybe that cuts down on additional airport facility fees.
I have to say that Air France was more specific in describing the fees compared to Delta. Delta informed me that the 5.50, 15.80, and 3.70 were separate charges, but didn't describe what they are. I was able to guess that the 5.50 was the customs fee, since it matched what I had for my January flight. I'm guessing the 15.80 is probably an international airport facility fee, and the 3.70 is an international security fee.
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
Other Int'l Charge: 15.80
Other Int'l Charge: 3.70
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
Apparently, redeeming an award ticket results in some waived fees. For example, there wasn't an International Transportation tax of $16.30. Also, the above itinerary doesn't have any connections, so maybe that cuts down on additional airport facility fees.
I have to say that Air France was more specific in describing the fees compared to Delta. Delta informed me that the 5.50, 15.80, and 3.70 were separate charges, but didn't describe what they are. I was able to guess that the 5.50 was the customs fee, since it matched what I had for my January flight. I'm guessing the 15.80 is probably an international airport facility fee, and the 3.70 is an international security fee.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sales Tax - Car Product
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.68
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.64
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.64
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Gas - 11.489 gal
Filling-up, this time in CT.
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.11
CT Excise Tax (25 cents/gal): 2.87
CT Gross Receipts Tax (5.25% pretax): 2.33
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.11
CT Excise Tax (25 cents/gal): 2.87
CT Gross Receipts Tax (5.25% pretax): 2.33
Saturday, May 7, 2011
New York Law Enforcement Fee
I received my bi-annual auto insurance renewal papers recently. Beneath the line item for "6-mo policy renewal", there was another line, "NY Law Enforcement Fee". A separate page describes that a fee of $10 annually is collected by auto insurers and remitted to NY State "for activities related to the detection, prevention and reduction of automobile theft and related activities".
NY Law Enforcement Fee (auto ins): $5.00
NY Law Enforcement Fee (auto ins): $5.00
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sales Tax - Household Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.12
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sales Tax: Shoes
In New York, shoes under $55 per pair are exempt from state tax and MCTD tax. Yet I still have tax on my Macy's receipt... must be county tax.
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.32
County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.32
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monthly Summary - April
Likely Recurring
NY Sales Tax: $1.85
NJ State Excise Tax: 2.11
Other NJ Taxes: 0.80
Dutchess County Sales Tax: 2.04
Ulster County Sales Tax: 0.63
MTA Tax: 0.15
Federal Gas Tax: 6.53
NY State Petroleum Business Tax: 2.64
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee: 0.01
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
SBC/RPS: 1.38
NYS Assessment: 0.93
NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges: 1.27
Monthly Total: $22.79
YTD Total: $237.37
NY Sales Tax: $1.85
NJ State Excise Tax: 2.11
Other NJ Taxes: 0.80
Dutchess County Sales Tax: 2.04
Ulster County Sales Tax: 0.63
MTA Tax: 0.15
Federal Gas Tax: 6.53
NY State Petroleum Business Tax: 2.64
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee: 0.01
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
SBC/RPS: 1.38
NYS Assessment: 0.93
NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges: 1.27
Monthly Total: $22.79
YTD Total: $237.37
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Gas - 10.916 gal
Jersey fill-up:
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.01
NJ State Excise (10.5 cents/gal): 1.15
Other NJ Taxes/Fees (4 cents/gal): 0.44
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.01
NJ State Excise (10.5 cents/gal): 1.15
Other NJ Taxes/Fees (4 cents/gal): 0.44
Friday, April 22, 2011
Gas - 4.229 gal
Fill-up in Ulster county, so no MTA tax:
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $0.78
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 0.72
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.34
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.00
Ulster County Sales Tax (4%): 0.63
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $0.78
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 0.72
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.34
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.00
Ulster County Sales Tax (4%): 0.63
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sales Tax - CD
New Foo Fighters came out this week, and I even went to a physical store to buy it.
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.48
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.45
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.04
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.48
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.45
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.04
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sales Tax - Household Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.13
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.12
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.02
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.12
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.02
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Gas - 9.094 gal
Gas fill-up, this time in New Jersey:
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $1.67
NJ State Excise (10.5 cents/gal): 0.96
Other NJ Taxes/Fees (4 cents/gal): 0.36
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $1.67
NJ State Excise (10.5 cents/gal): 0.96
Other NJ Taxes/Fees (4 cents/gal): 0.36
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Gas - 11.269 gal
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.07
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 1.92
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.90
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.47
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 1.92
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.90
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.47
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monthly Summary - March
Likely Recurring
NY Sales Tax: $1.44
County Sales Tax: 1.34
MTA Tax: 0.15
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
Monthly Total: $5.38
YTD Total: $214.58
NY Sales Tax: $1.44
County Sales Tax: 1.34
MTA Tax: 0.15
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
Monthly Total: $5.38
YTD Total: $214.58
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Phone Charges - Mar
Regularly-occuring recovery fees from my VoIP plan.
E911 Cost Recovery: $0.48
Regulatory Recovery: $1.97
E911 Cost Recovery: $0.48
Regulatory Recovery: $1.97
Sales Tax - Prepaid Top-up
Topping-up my prepaid phone happens automatically a few times a year. I have never looked at the statement until now. It only lists "sales tax", which surprised me. Being a phone, I assumed some regulatory fees would have been added.
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.60
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.56
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.60
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.56
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Sales Tax - Robot Parts
That's right, robot parts.
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.60
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.56
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.60
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.56
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.06
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monthly Summary - February
Likely Recurring
NY Sales Tax: $2.05
County Sales Tax: 2.77
MTA Tax: 0.18
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): 4.03
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 3.73
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.02
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
SBC/RPS: 1.33
NYS Assessment: 0.72
NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges: 1.17
Monthly Total: $18.45
YTD Total: $209.20
NY Sales Tax: $2.05
County Sales Tax: 2.77
MTA Tax: 0.18
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): 4.03
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 3.73
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.02
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
SBC/RPS: 1.33
NYS Assessment: 0.72
NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges: 1.17
Monthly Total: $18.45
YTD Total: $209.20
Gas - 12.2 Gallons
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.24
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 2.07
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.98
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.37
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 2.07
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.98
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.37
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sales Tax - Household Products
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.08
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.08
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.00
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.08
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.00
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Gas - 9.742 Gallons
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $1.79
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 1.66
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.78
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.07
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.13
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): 1.66
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): 0.78
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): 0.07
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): 0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): 1.13
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sales Tax - Candy
Food isn't taxed in NY, but in NY, candy isn't food.
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.09
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.08
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.09
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.08
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Electricity - January
The local electric utility bills bi-monthly, and this billing cycle includes November - Jan. But I'm going to include it here as a 2011 expense; it will balance out at the end of the year.
Similar to gas, there are several different charges added to the cost of electricity. The difference is that they are all itemized on the bill. I'm sorting out which charges I will classify as taxes (payments to the state) and which are directly tied to the electricity I received. Fortunately, descriptions of each line are provided on the back of this bill.
I'm leaving out "Transition Adjustment". Electricity generation is deregulated in NY, and the state requires utilities delivering that electricity to continue managing the customer billing and switching of suppliers. The utility recovers this through the Transition Adjustment. So it's covering state-imposed work, but it's not going to reimburse a public agency.
However, I am including SBC/RPS (System Benefits/Renewable Portfolio Standard Charges) because that does go to a state agency.
According to NY Pub-718-R, energy sources and services (including electricity) do not apply to the state sales tax rate. It also says that any municipalities or school districts not listed in the document do not impose taxes. So where does this "NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges" come from? I have no idea, so I'm listing it separately for now. It will be incorporated into another category if I eventually find the answer.
SBC/RPS: $1.33
NYS Assessment: 0.72
NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges: 1.17
Similar to gas, there are several different charges added to the cost of electricity. The difference is that they are all itemized on the bill. I'm sorting out which charges I will classify as taxes (payments to the state) and which are directly tied to the electricity I received. Fortunately, descriptions of each line are provided on the back of this bill.
I'm leaving out "Transition Adjustment". Electricity generation is deregulated in NY, and the state requires utilities delivering that electricity to continue managing the customer billing and switching of suppliers. The utility recovers this through the Transition Adjustment. So it's covering state-imposed work, but it's not going to reimburse a public agency.
However, I am including SBC/RPS (System Benefits/Renewable Portfolio Standard Charges) because that does go to a state agency.
According to NY Pub-718-R, energy sources and services (including electricity) do not apply to the state sales tax rate. It also says that any municipalities or school districts not listed in the document do not impose taxes. So where does this "NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges" come from? I have no idea, so I'm listing it separately for now. It will be incorporated into another category if I eventually find the answer.
SBC/RPS: $1.33
NYS Assessment: 0.72
NYS & Local Taxes and Surcharges: 1.17
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sales Tax - Toothpaste
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.12
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monthly Summary - January
Time for my first monthly summary. As you can see, I don't really spend very much on taxable items; the two unusual purchases (tire and airline ticket) made up much of the sales taxes. The most surprising thing I've learned so far is how many types of taxes there are!
Likely Recurring
NY Sales Tax: $12.58
County Sales Tax: 12.16
MTA Tax: 1.17
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Phone Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
Federal Gas Tax: 2.12
NY State Petroleum Business Tax: 1.96
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee: 0.01
Likely Nonrecurring
NY Tire Fee: $2.50
Airport Fee: 34.04
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 22.03
Airport Tax (FR): 20.00
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 18.22
US International Transportation Tax (arrival): 16.30
US International Transportation Tax (departure): 16.30
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
USA Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Security charge (BEG): 4.41
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
Monthly Total: $190.75
YTD Total: $190.75
Likely Recurring
NY Sales Tax: $12.58
County Sales Tax: 12.16
MTA Tax: 1.17
E911 Cost Recovery: 0.48
Phone Regulatory Recovery: 1.97
Federal Gas Tax: 2.12
NY State Petroleum Business Tax: 1.96
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee: 0.01
Likely Nonrecurring
NY Tire Fee: $2.50
Airport Fee: 34.04
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 22.03
Airport Tax (FR): 20.00
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 18.22
US International Transportation Tax (arrival): 16.30
US International Transportation Tax (departure): 16.30
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
USA Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Security charge (BEG): 4.41
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
Monthly Total: $190.75
YTD Total: $190.75
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sales Tax - Ooma
Picked up an Ooma device online.... and of course paid sales tax on it.
NY Sales Tax (4%): $5.80
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $5.44
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.54
NY Sales Tax (4%): $5.80
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $5.44
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.54
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Gas - 11 Gallon Fill-Up
(This post took about an hour two write up)
11.523 gallons of gasoline. The price at the pump was $3.12/gal. Even though most taxes are applied per-gallon, this number is still relevant as we shall see.
This is the first time I've ever calculated the amount of tax I paid for filling my tank, and I had to do quite a bit of digging to get these numbers; it's not something that is itemized on the receipt. And for good reason: the receipt would be too long. Google results for several sites list "blended" rates for NY gas tax, without breaking it out. I needed to research NY's per-gallon taxes on gas, plus find out if NY also applies sales tax (it does). Interestingly, the state and MTA tax when applied to gas is a per-gallon tax, instead of a percentage, as it is with sales tax.
Once I found all the rates, it was easy to multiply. The tricky one was county sales tax; some NY counties have also adopted per-gallon taxes, but Dutchess still uses a percentage. To calculate this, I followed the instructions in NY Pub 873, except I used the tables without the MTA tax, since I've calculated that separately.
If applied as a whole, the total tax rate would be a little over 20%.
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.12
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): $1.96
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): $0.92
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): $0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): $0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): $1.23
Sources: NY Pub 718-F (local tax), NY Pub 908 (fuel tax rates), NY Pub 873 (local rate tables)
11.523 gallons of gasoline. The price at the pump was $3.12/gal. Even though most taxes are applied per-gallon, this number is still relevant as we shall see.
This is the first time I've ever calculated the amount of tax I paid for filling my tank, and I had to do quite a bit of digging to get these numbers; it's not something that is itemized on the receipt. And for good reason: the receipt would be too long. Google results for several sites list "blended" rates for NY gas tax, without breaking it out. I needed to research NY's per-gallon taxes on gas, plus find out if NY also applies sales tax (it does). Interestingly, the state and MTA tax when applied to gas is a per-gallon tax, instead of a percentage, as it is with sales tax.
Once I found all the rates, it was easy to multiply. The tricky one was county sales tax; some NY counties have also adopted per-gallon taxes, but Dutchess still uses a percentage. To calculate this, I followed the instructions in NY Pub 873, except I used the tables without the MTA tax, since I've calculated that separately.
If applied as a whole, the total tax rate would be a little over 20%.
Federal Gas Tax (18.4 cents/gal): $2.12
NY State Petroleum Business Tax (17 cents/gal): $1.96
NY State Sales Tax (8 cents/gal): $0.92
MTA Tax (0.75 cents/gal): $0.09
NY State Petroleum Testing Fee (0.05 cents/gal): $0.01
Dutchess County Sales Tax (3.75%): $1.23
Sources: NY Pub 718-F (local tax), NY Pub 908 (fuel tax rates), NY Pub 873 (local rate tables)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Phone Charges - Jan
This will be the first of 12 monthly phone tax posts.
I pay annually for VOIP service, but every month they hit me with a small charge to recover government-mandated fees; these are on top of the taxes that are assessed when paying my annual fee.
E911 Cost Recovery: $0.48
Regulatory Recovery: $1.97
I pay annually for VOIP service, but every month they hit me with a small charge to recover government-mandated fees; these are on top of the taxes that are assessed when paying my annual fee.
E911 Cost Recovery: $0.48
Regulatory Recovery: $1.97
The Company reasoning for charging an E911 recovery fee is to "provide you with Enhanced and Nomadic Emergency Services. Based on Federal guidelines, we are required to provide these services as your phone provider."
Regulatory Recovery is described by the company as "intended to help offset costs incurred by our company associated with supporting services such as providing disability access and certain otherwise unspecified state and local sales and telephone taxes."
Regulatory Recovery is described by the company as "intended to help offset costs incurred by our company associated with supporting services such as providing disability access and certain otherwise unspecified state and local sales and telephone taxes."
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Sales Tax - Fast Food
Not usual, but today was a Wendy's day. Verdict on sea salt fries: good, but not a major improvement.
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.25
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.23
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.02
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.25
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.23
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.02
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Airfare, JFK-BEG
Airfare taxes: a cornucopia of itemization. Let's break it down for one round-trip ticket ($603):
Airport Fee: 34.04
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 22.03
Airport Tax (FR): 20.00
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 18.22
US International Transportation Tax (arrival): 16.30
US International Transportation Tax (departure): 16.30
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
USA Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Security charge (BEG): 4.41
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
If you're wondering, yes fees are considered taxes for the purpose of this blog. A tax is basically a fee based on the percentage of a total, whereas flat fees (such as the 9/11 security fee) don't make sense as a percentage, but per person. This blog is keeping track of any money on top of a transaction collected by a government agency. Of course I'll break out foreign taxes from state and federal taxes at the end of the year.
I'll be explaining these taxes in future posts.
Airport Fee: 34.04
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 22.03
Airport Tax (FR): 20.00
Int'l Passenger Service Charge: 18.22
US International Transportation Tax (arrival): 16.30
US International Transportation Tax (departure): 16.30
US INS User Fee: 7.00
US Customs User Fee: 5.50
US APHIS Fee: 5.00
USA Passenger Facility Charge: 4.50
Security charge (BEG): 4.41
USA Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee: 2.50
If you're wondering, yes fees are considered taxes for the purpose of this blog. A tax is basically a fee based on the percentage of a total, whereas flat fees (such as the 9/11 security fee) don't make sense as a percentage, but per person. This blog is keeping track of any money on top of a transaction collected by a government agency. Of course I'll break out foreign taxes from state and federal taxes at the end of the year.
I'll be explaining these taxes in future posts.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tire
Got a small gash in one of my car tires recently; decided to have it replaced. And that means not only shelling out for the tire, but sales tax and a tire fee.
What's this state tire fee about? It's a flat $2.50 fee on all new tires sold within New York State. $2.25 of it is surrendered back to the state for tire conservation and recycling efforts. It covers all new tires: those sold individually, with a new car, for trailers, and even temporary tires (spares). Originally, this fee was due to expire in December 2010, but it was extended through 2013 at the same rate.
NY Tire Fee: $2.50
NY Sales Tax (4%): $5.45
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $5.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.51
What's this state tire fee about? It's a flat $2.50 fee on all new tires sold within New York State. $2.25 of it is surrendered back to the state for tire conservation and recycling efforts. It covers all new tires: those sold individually, with a new car, for trailers, and even temporary tires (spares). Originally, this fee was due to expire in December 2010, but it was extended through 2013 at the same rate.
NY Tire Fee: $2.50
NY Sales Tax (4%): $5.45
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $5.11
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.51
Monday, January 3, 2011
Kicking It Off with Sales Tax
Couldn't go 3 days into the new year without buying something... some button-cell batteries for a project of mine.
The receipt has one line for "Tax" reads "$0.32", but it actually breaks down three ways:
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.16
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.15
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
But breaking it out per blog post is tedious, so I'll just record 8.125% and break it out during the monthly summaries.
The receipt has one line for "Tax" reads "$0.32", but it actually breaks down three ways:
NY Sales Tax (4%): $0.16
County Sales Tax (3.75%): $0.15
MTA Tax (0.375%): $0.01
But breaking it out per blog post is tedious, so I'll just record 8.125% and break it out during the monthly summaries.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
It Starts...
Sometime in 2010, I got to wondering how much I really paid in taxes. Determining the amount of income tax is easy -- just a glance at my state and federal tax returns -- but total taxes is quite tricky to know for sure. Estimates are fine, but what I'd really like to know is the exact amount, how it's broken down between different types of taxes and how much of my net (post-income tax) salary goes toward other taxes.
My solution? Start a blog and log every sales, gas, transit, and excise tax I pay. I also plan do do a little research on what all these other types of taxes are and learn something about them while I pay them.
This will not be an exciting blog. But, in full disclosure, I am an IRS-certified tax preparer, which makes me kind of a tax nerd.
My solution? Start a blog and log every sales, gas, transit, and excise tax I pay. I also plan do do a little research on what all these other types of taxes are and learn something about them while I pay them.
This will not be an exciting blog. But, in full disclosure, I am an IRS-certified tax preparer, which makes me kind of a tax nerd.
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