Unbelievable rental car taxes

[Crizz]

I was checking into renting a car in PHX. Their rate was $18/day.. not bad. Total with taxes - $33!!!

I think my math checks out - thats an 83% tax.

Add the $25 for being under 25 years old, and an $18 rental car just turned into a $58 ordeal.

Just wanted to vent - Taxes in this country are getting out of hand.

 

[sqwkvfr]

Municipalities usually have confiscatory taxes for cars rented at airports as opposed to other places.

 

[Way2Broke]

I agree, just look at Mass, where the Boston Tea Party occurred. Now Mass has some of the highest state taxes in the country.

 

[CA1900]

Actual rental car conversation at an off-airport office near Tampa airport:

"Did you take the airport shuttle over?"

"Uhhh... why?"

"Because if you tell me you did, I have to charge you a whole bunch of fees and additional taxes because it's an airport car rental."

"I'm going to say 'no,' then."

"Terrific. Could I have your driver's license....."

 

[414Flyer]

When I lived in a small NM town where the rental car place was at the airport, one was charged a different rate depending on if you walked in thru the front door or came in through the terminal

 

[navigator72]

Can you break down the taxes for us? Did you take the fuel option? Did you return the car with a full tank? Having worked in the car rental world, I know how the fees can add up but are they all taxes?

 

[CA1900]

I can't speak for Crizz, but I'll break down the AVIS rental I just did out of CMH:

6 days @$68.00: $408
$3.46 per rental "Garage Recoup Surch": $3.46
10.19% "Concession Recoup Surch": $41.78
$0.13/day "Vehicle License Fee": $.78
"FTP SR$.50/$2MX" (no idea): $2.00

Taxable Subtotal: $456.02
Tax: 30.78
Total: $486.80


$408 for the car. $3.46 to the airport parking garage, $41.78 to the airport "concessions" fund, $0.78 for the vehicle license, another $2 for "FTP," and then sales tax compounded on those fees!

$78.80 into a $408 rental is effectively over 19% tax for this rental. And yes, all those fees going to a public entity -- the airport authority -- makes them a de facto tax.

 

[Crizz]

I didnt even rent the car. It was all taxes.

Here's another example:

Rental: $16.99
Customer facility charge: $4.50
Airport access fee: $2.44
Vehicle liscense surcharge: $1.22
Stadium surcharge: $.71
Sales tax: $2.47

$17 rental with $12 fees


Outrageous

 

[FL420]

Politicians hate to tax their own citizens aka voters. Therefore, they tax the heck out of hotel rooms and rental cars rented by......? You guessed it.....out-of-towners aka non-voters.

Your best bet to avoid many fees associated with rental car airport concessionaires is to book online on the individual rental car company website. You can find out which companies are at which airports by using a search engine like www.cheaptickets.com and clicking the rental car tab.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Politicians hate to tax their own citizens aka voters.

Are we living on the same planet?

 

[NCFlyer]

That is not at all unusual. Like was stated earlier, the politicians feel it is easier to get away with taxing the visiting out-of-towners and the locals don't mind if the out-of-towners are helping to pay for their public services.

Here is a copy of the reservation that I have for Wednesday in IAH:

195.00 USD (Daily 5 Days @ 39.00)

6.50 USD (TEXAS PROPERTY TAX & LIC FEES )

15.00 USD (AIRPORT FACILITY FEE )

22.38 USD (AIRPORT ACCESS FEE )

33.59 USD (SALES TAX )

Total charges 272.47 USD



$77.47 in taxes & fees

 

[FL420]

Are we living on the same planet?

Let me put it another way.

Given a choice, any politician who has to increase revenues through fees or taxes would much prefer to impose those fees or taxes on visitors from out of town rather than on local citizens who can vote him out of office.

 

[skyaddict]

Is it just me or did car rental rates pike way up since two years ago? In the spring of '05 I used to rent cars quit often when I'd commute home from a 2-month training event.. and routinely paid around $30 with taxes. Now it seems routinely double that. More volatile than airfares by far.

 

[CA1900]

Yup. They actually raised their prices, rather than beating concessions out of their employees. Interesting business model...

 

[shooter]

Citibank and Amex cover the full coverage insurance if you use their card, but you still need to get liability on your own. If you use your insurance coverage, you risk your annual rates going up or cancellation if something happens. So, you all do not elect the insurance because of what reason?

 

[Brasilia Pup]

My best tip: Take a taxi to a car rental location OFF the airport property. You won't get charged taxed for the airport location and other taxes associated with travelers. The cost of the taxi will be less than taxes associated with renting on the airport property. Just do your research before your arrive at your destination so you know where the nearest off-airport car rental location is.