STORY
Santa Monica Sales Tax Quirk
Santa Monica Sales Tax Quirk
- An observation about a restaurant in Santa Monica applying sales tax to drinks only if food was also ordered.
The Tax Loophole
- On February 14, 2017, I noticed a strange tax behavior at a Santa Monica establishment.
- Drinks were not subject to sales tax on their own, but if I ordered food alongside them, the entire bill—including the drinks—was taxed.
- I questioned whether this was actual local tax law or just a quirk of the establishment's cash register.
These facts are as Randal recalls them, but much time has passed for most of this. If you find a factual error, please email realmerlyn@gmail.com.