Discussion » Questions » Food and Drink » Does your state, province or country tax food?

Does your state, province or country tax food?

If they tried to do that in Ohio, there would be rioting in the streets. Eat in restaurants can tax, but that's OK.

Posted - September 3, 2021

Responses


  • 19937
    In New York State, prepared food is generally subject to sales tax in New York. This includes restaurant meals, but also meals sold by a deli or bakery. Sandwiches and prepared platters (like cold cut platters or vegetable trays) are generally taxable whether sold hot or cold. Also, New York specifies that all food that is sold heated is considered prepared and is taxable. 

    https://www.taxjar.com/blog/food/new-york-food-sales-tax
      September 3, 2021 4:06 PM MDT
    3

  • 53505

     

      (Eat-in restaurants . . . )

      September 3, 2021 4:07 PM MDT
    0

  • 7404
    Real food isn’t taxed like eggs, meat and produce,  but junky garbage food that no one really needs is taxed. 
      September 3, 2021 4:10 PM MDT
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  • 53505

     

      Similar to SpunkySenior‘s response for the state of New York, in California, fresh foods, produce, canned foods, packaged food and the like that are sold in grocery stores and supermarkets, etc. are not taxed. Sit-down (eat-in) restaurants, diners, delis, to-go meals, fast food, and other types of prepared meals generally are taxed, even if and when sold in grocery stores. This is not an absolute answer, as there are exceptions on each side. 

    ~

      September 3, 2021 4:13 PM MDT
    2

  • 10636
    What DOESN'T California tax?  Why, at this very moment they're probably writing a bill to tax wildfire smoke.   



    In theory, this state doesn't tax food.  Of course, what's considered to be "food" is a bit of a gray area.
      September 3, 2021 4:27 PM MDT
    2

  • I live in California.  

    In most cases, grocery items are exempt from sales tax.  An exception, however, is “hot prepared food products,” which are taxable at California’s 7.25% state sales tax rate plus the local district tax rate whether they’re sold to-go or for consumption on the store premises.
      September 3, 2021 5:53 PM MDT
    2

  • 13395
    There is a sales tax on already heavily taxed booze here in BC. The only food that is taxed is pet foods.
      September 3, 2021 8:27 PM MDT
    1

  • 34253
    Yes. All of our groceries are taxed at a lower rate than other items but still taxed. 
    Restaurants are taxed at a higher rate than groceries.
      September 3, 2021 8:32 PM MDT
    3

  • 17593
    No
      September 3, 2021 11:25 PM MDT
    2