Did you know 8.25% is NOT the sales tax rate for all of Texas? I didn’t either. I recently learned that the statewide rate is only 6.25%. The extra 2% is optional local tax for city, county, transit, and special districts stacked on top. Combined, it cannot legally go over 8.25%. In a lot of unincorporated areas (outside city limits), there is no city tax. Sometimes there is no county or transit tax either. So the correct rate can be 6.25%, or 6.75%, or something in between, not automatically 8.25%. That matters. If a store, restaurant, or online seller charges you 8.25% in a place that should only be 6.25%, you are paying extra money that was never approved for that location. The 6.25% state portion goes to Austin for the state’s general fund. The local slice is supposed to go back to the city, county, or district that levied it for local roads, transit, fire, and services in that community. Charge the wrong higher rate in a rural or unincorporated spot, and that extra money is not coming back to your community. It is collected and remitted through the state. How to check in 2 minutes: 1. Go to the official Texas Comptroller Sales Tax Rate Locator: mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/atj 2. Enter the exact street address of the store or the delivery address (ZIP alone is not enough, Texas ZIP codes cross city and district lines). 3. Compare that rate to what is on your receipt. Quick math check: Tax ÷ pre-tax price = rate Example: $8.25 tax on a $100 item = 8.25% $6.25 tax on a $100 item = 6.25% If they overcharged you: Ask the seller for a refund first. They are required to collect the correct rate and to refund tax collected in error. If they won’t, you can file a refund claim with the Comptroller. Save this and share it. Next time a register defaults to 8.25% everywhere in Texas, you’ll know that’s not how the law works. Why does this matter? If you are tired of being over taxed then you must first understand and KNOW when you are being wrongly taxed. Do you really want to keep funding big government due to a clerical error? Do you think the government will tell you that you are over paying them? No the county cannot hold a business liable for overpayment of a state tax. That is the states job. I for one am tired of government overreach and big government expecting us to be held accountable but only if it does not benefit them. Know the truth in order to work towards change. It may only he 8 cents or 1 dollar on your receipt, but that change adds up when there are 100's or 1000's of purchases per business. Know your rights. Keep your change!