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How can one accurately charge sales tax if it is a state secret?

At least in the US those kinds of taxes are declared on receipts themselves.

State secrets in China are not same as classified information in the West. State secrets mean: do not broadcast to average Chinese. It is a censorship tool, it is meant to protect the government from its citizens.

You gave an excellent example. Tax rates are NOT on receipts in China. That would put pressure on the government to lower tax.

An average Chinese citizen is only aware of income tax, they don’t realize that they are paying taxes and fees for something say when buying a bag of sugar or salt.

[I am mistaken]

These pesky hidden taxes that are regular headline news (e.g. when things are (proposed to be) reclassified) and legally required to be listed on each receipt and invoice are indeed so well-hidden from the unsuspecting populace...

How hard could it be to find? Can't you ask your friend who's a business owner to tell you the rate?

Sure, but will you?

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