🚀 go-pugleaf

RK Singh <rsingh@cive.Stanford.EDU> wrote:
>My SO and I are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon; in order to cut down
>on the total drive time, we are thinking of flying from San Jose to Vegas
>(and back), and rent a car from Vegas for 10 days. In Vegas itself, we'll
>be staying for just 1-2 days. 
>
>Called Hertz and Avis... their rates are about 200+-25 dollars for an
>economy car for 10 days. Sales tax: 7%, surcharge 6% and airport access
>charge 10% of the previous total...
>
>                The TOTAL IS 24.3% IN TAXES!!!!! 
>
>Is there any rationale for this high taxes (other than greed of the local
>authorities)? Any tips on reducing the tax burden greatly appreciated.

The rationale, as someone already explained, is that it is much easier to
raise taxes on non-voting non-residents than on voting residents.
Evidently this is unfair, and something similar (taxation without
representation) has led to a nice party is Boston a few generations ago.
What you see is today's politicians at their best.

Anyway, you can easily avoid the 10% airport access tax, which is normally
assessed if you use the shuttle bus, by taking a taxi from the airport terminal
to the car rental lot, therefore bypassing the shuttle bus.  The cab ride
can't be more than $5, and you avoid paying 10% of $200+.  Make sure
you keep a taxi receipt to prove that you did not take the shuttle bus.

Paulo Santos