fast food eat in vs takeout

[greenskeeper]

I don't get a lot of fast food, but today I noticed that if you take out vs eating at the joint you don't have to pay state tax (PENNSYLVANIA).

If you eat a lot of fast food, opt for "take out" and then just eat at the place anyway.

It may not add up to a lot of saved cash, but I like to avoid paying taxes any way I can.

[disneysteve]

Are you sure about that? Do you mean that if I walk into McDonald's, I will pay one price if I say it is to eat in and a different price if I say it is to go? That doesn't sound right to me.

[greenskeeper]

yes that is what I am saying. You won't pay the restaurant tax if you are getting the order to go, even if you then walk over and sit down in a booth. This is how it is in PA, other states may be different.

[disneysteve]

yes that is what I am saying. You won't pay the restaurant tax if you are getting the order to go, even if you then walk over and sit down in a booth. This is how it is in PA, other states may be different.

Interesting. I wonder if the same is true in other states.

[marvholly]

This is NOT true in IL. We pay the same 10.25% tax if we eat in or take the order to go.

In fact, if we buy certain items (prepared chicken, meat loaf, .....) at the deli counter in the grocery store we pay that high tax. Whereas if we buy frozen prepared chicken we pay the lower (2.25%) tax. Also, if we buy fresh salad stuff at the deli counter (potato, cab, tuna....) we pay the high tax but if we buy it packaged in the deli cold case we pay low tax. This KILLS me because I am a single person household and NEVER want/need more than 1/2 lb. All the cold case stuff is 1 lb minimum.

[GREENBACK]

In Ohio this does apply. I forget what they call it but it's the same thing.

[ConquerWithTruth]

I will make sure I double check before I buy from McDonald again!

[btacay]

None Of The Above

None of the above. If you're seriously into saving, consider reducing the frequency of going to fast-food outlets.Fast food or take out meals are fine in an emergency, but most of this kind of food is not very healthy and very expensive for what you get.

[greenskeeper]

what does healthy have to do with it?

as I said I don't frequent often and like to avoid paying taxes whenever possible