Tipsheet

Value Added Taxes Increase with Time

As the Obama administration and other Democrats are considering imposing a new "value added tax", or VAT, to pay for our soaring Federal deficit and nationalized health care, this Americans for Tax Reform chart shows that, in Western Europe, at least, VATs take away more and more of your money over time.
A little tidbit to keep in mind in case the drumbeat for a VAT grows...

VAT Rates Rise Over Time

Source: OECD Tax Database

Country VAT Rate 1976 VAT Rate 2009
USA N/A N/A
U.K. 8% 15%
France 20% 19.6%
Germany 11% 19%
Italy 12% 20%
Sweden 17.7% 25%