Final answer:
Sales taxes are imposed as a percentage at the time of sale and vary by jurisdiction. These taxes are significant for state and local revenues but are considered regressive.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sales taxes are a form of taxation applied at the point of sale on goods and services. These taxes are usually a percentage of the sale price of the items purchased. While the rates may vary among jurisdictions, the principle remains the same: the tax is collected by the seller at the time of the sale or later remitted as use tax by the buyer if the sales tax was not already paid. As an example, if a consumer buys a product for $100 and the sales tax rate is 7%, the amount of sales tax would be $7, making the total cost of the purchase $107.
It's important to recognize that sales taxes are often considered regressive since people with lower incomes tend to spend a larger proportion of their income on taxed goods, relative to those with higher incomes. Nevertheless, sales taxes are essential for state and local governments as they contribute significantly to the revenue needed for public services.