Went to a bar in Wallingford last night with the girlfriend. Had a couple of cocktails and the tab included a sales tax which seemed about 4% which was odd, but also a spirits tax at 13 point something percent. The amount that is actually Washington state’s liquor tax. I asked one employee who was kind of off duty and she gave me a seemingly rehearsed line about I could take it up with the city or state. No suggestion of perhaps discussing with the owner tomorrow or anything. It was really dismissive. Then when I questioned it again she said she’s off duty. The on duty bartender was in the back nowhere to be seen, and then gave this, oh wow attitude like how dare I.
I’ve never seen this before and a quick Google tells me that the tax is for retail, with bars and restaurants paying The 13 percent when they buy, and the public paying 20% when they buy at stores. Washington state law specifically states it is a tax on liquor in original container. So I’m pretty sure it’s not at all legit to charge a tax on spirits to the customer. I’ve certainly never seen it .
State law does allow service charges and such, with specific requirements about signage and specifying whether it goes to employees or not. But this was not a service charge. It was a handheld tech device of some kind that printed it up so I can only assume the charge is on every bill which means every customer is being charged it and probably don’t even notice much of the time. Although I can’t imagine it’s never been questioned before, which would explain the employees rehearsed seeming attitude.
I’m also a bit skeptical as to whether this tax is actually collected and paid to the state rather than going into the pocket of the owner. I am going to be having a conversation with the state this coming week because this seems completely illegitimate and probably illegal.
Or am I mistaken. Has anyone else ever heard of this?
submitted by /u/clce
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