German Sales Tax (VAT)
In most U.S. states (except New Hampshire, Montana, and Oregon), it's standard practice when you are out shopping to have sales tax added to the prices of most goods at the cash register when you are checking out. However, here in Germany, sales tax is always already accounted for when you see a price on something you're considering buying, meaning that what you see is what you pay.
The German value added tax (VAT) for consumer goods is 19% countrywide, compared to the 5-10% that most American states and localities have in place. There is no exception for food or meals, unlike in many places in the U.S., but most food purchases (i.e. at grocery stores for home use), are taxed at the comparatively lower rate of 7%. This value is likewise factored into the list prices you will see, though many receipts from shops, grocery stores, and restaurants will also include a breakdown of how much of your total bill was sales tax versus the amount that actually goes to the business.
Additionally, books, magazines, medical supplies, transportation, and even flowers are also charged at the lower 7% rate. The logic behind the different sales tax rates is to make sure that things that the German government has determined are necessities are lower cost and therefore easier to buy.
The correct term for sales tax in Germany is Umsatzsteuer (USt), but many Germans will refer to it colloquially as Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt; "more cost tax").