fake cheese and chemicals don't count

[Ironclad Alibi]

Here in Virginia, there's no tax on medicines, a 4% tax on food items, and 5% tax on non-food items.

That's just the state tax. Some localities in Virginia also charge an additional sales tax on prepared food. In Arlington it is 4% making to total tax on prepared food 8%.

[wynjara]

I'm pretty sure our sales tax is up to 7% here in NJ, unless it's in certain areas of Lakewood where it's 3% for most things (oddly enough, there's a ton of car dealers in that area). But clothing isn't taxed here, which seems to lead to a lot of tourists in shopping areas. I'd love to see the actual 'how to decide what's taxed' policy.