Hi Paul,
I could probably answer that for you and the answer is almost certainly that it
would save you nothing.
The United States has incredibly complex sales tax system that differs from
state to state and sometimes within local counties within a state.
For example, the State of California levies 8.25% sales tax but local counties can
levy additional taxes which then bring it up to 10.75%.
Since the individual states administer sales tax and since their jurisdiction
is only within the boundaries of their state, you tend to only pay sales tax
in a state when you are physically present in that state. For example, interstate
and overseas purchasers tend not to have to pay a state's sales tax.
A similar situation exists in Australia with regards GST in that if you reside
outside of Australia and purchase something from Australia, you don't pay
Australian GST.
By comparison, the state-based US sales tax system is bewilderingly complex
with different rates in different states with different exemptions.
Travelers to the US will also be use to the phenomena of accumulating huge
amounts of coinage in change. One goes into a grocery store and say picks out
a packet of pistachio nuts. You read the price tag and it might say, 89c.
You then go through your assorted collection on quarters, nickels, dimes and
pennies and have the exact amount ready for when you reach the cash
register. The cashier rings up the item and then some additional percentage
of sales tax gets added, throwing your preparedness of having the right amount ready
out the window. With a queue impatiently waiting behind you and not wishing to
fumble with more coins, you hand the cashier another buck and accumulate even
more change.
