Groceries are a bit cheaper in Kansas following a meals gross sales tax minimize that went into impact Jan. 1, however you should still have questions on how a lot you are paying.
The minimize reduces the gross sales tax price on many meals gadgets from 6.5% to four%.
However some Kansas shoppers have complained that they’re nonetheless being overcharged or have expressed confusion in regards to the numbers on their receipts.
You’ll have seen in your procuring receipt that you just’re nonetheless paying greater than four% in your purchases, and that some gadgets are nonetheless taxed at 6.5%.
Let’s attempt to reply some questions you will have:
The tax listed on my grocery invoice was far more than four%. Why?
Whereas the state tax on meals gross sales has been decreased from 6.5% to four%, that is not the one tax you are charged at checkout.
Buyers nonetheless pay separate meals gross sales tax for each the county and metropolis wherein they’re procuring.
You might also pay further gross sales tax for those who’re shopping for in areas designated as Group Enchancment Districts, that are meant to incentivize builders.
What are the gross sales tax charges in Johnson and Wyandotte counties?
Johnson County’s complete gross sales tax price is 1.475%, which is along with the state gross sales tax.
County gross sales tax percentages go to public security, stormwater, and the Johnson County Academic Analysis Triangle Authority.
The gross sales tax price in Wyandotte County is 1%.
What’s the gross sales tax price for my metropolis?
Along with state and county gross sales tax, you might be additionally paying gross sales tax to the town wherein you might be procuring.
Here’s a listing of gross sales tax charges for some cities across the Kansas Metropolis metropolitan space, based on the Kansas Division of Income:
- bonner springs —1.75%
- Avenue – 2%
- kansas metropolis, kansas —1.625%
- leawood —1.125%
- lenexa —1.375%
- merriam —1.5%
- Mission —1.75%
- olathe – 1.5%
- By land Park —1.125%
- Meadow City – one%
- Shawnee —1.625%
- roland Park —1.5%
- Westwood —1.5%
And what about Group Enchancment Districts?
These can add further excise taxes on high of state, county and metropolis taxes for those who’re looking for groceries throughout the boundaries of a delegated CID.
CIDs are public incentive autos wherein excise taxes generated inside a district’s boundaries assist pay for improvement there.
For instance, Sonoma Plaza in Lenexa imposes a further 1% gross sales tax, and Bluhawk in South Overland Park imposes a further half-cent gross sales tax.
There are quite a few CIDs in Johnson County, and you will discover a hyperlink to an Excel spreadsheet itemizing CIDs statewide right here.
So what ought to my ultimate tax on the grocery invoice be?
It’s going to fluctuate barely relying on the place you store, however if you consider state, county, metropolis, and any further excise tax on gross sales, do not be stunned for those who see a tax price of 9% or extra on the backside of your invoice. grocery.
What gadgets does the Kansas meals tax minimize apply to?
Meals and meals components, which the state defines as substances which can be bought for “ingesting or chewing by people and which can be consumed for his or her taste or dietary worth.”
This consists of produce, bottled water, sweet, dietary dietary supplements, merchandising machine gadgets, mushy drinks, eggs, fish, meat, poultry, and extra.
What gadgets does the meals tax minimize not apply to?
Bathroom paper, cleaning soap, toothpaste and different private gadgets are nonetheless taxed at 6.5%.
Alcoholic drinks, tobacco, and ready meals are additionally not eligible.
Ready meals means already heated, with two or extra components mixed as one or meals bought with consuming utensils, based on the Kansas Division of Income.
For instance, ready meals is meals bought at a restaurant or soup ready at a grocery retailer that may be bought in a deli-within-a-store.
Study particular situations the place the meals gross sales tax minimize does and doesn’t apply right here.
This story was initially printed on the Shawnee Mission Put up.