Fixit: Minneapolis taxes do add up

Q I was paying the tab at a Minneapolis bar when I noticed that it seemed we were overtaxed. We had about $5 in tax on $12.50 for food and $38 for alcohol. I thought that the tax was included in the price of the beer or drink.

I can walk up to the bar and (not counting tip) plop down six bucks without tax, but the tab showed tax on the drinks. The waitress agreed that it did not look right, even rang up our alcohol and food separately, but the total tax was still the same. Is the state getting double tax, is the bar overcharging, or am I confused?

A The tax amount was correct. Lisa Waldrup, with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, explained it this way:

In downtown Minneapolis, the following taxes are included when purchasing food and or drinks.

• Minnesota state sales tax: 6.5 percent

• Minnesota liquor gross receipts: 2.5 percent

• Minneapolis local general sales tax: 0.5 percent

• Hennepin County Tax: 0.15 percent

• In the case of live entertainment at a Minneapolis venue, there is also a 3 percent entertainment tax.

Politicos can call Q Are political campaign volunteers allowed to call people on the "do not call" list?

A Yes. It's one of the exceptions to the Do Not Call Registry. In addition to political organizations, charities and telephone surveyors, you can expect calls from:

• Companies with which you have an existing business relationship (a company may call you up to 18 months after you make a purchase or three months after you submit an inquiry or application).

• In addition, Minnesota allows calls from solicitors who do not intend to complete the sale over the phone, but rather hope to arrange a face-to-face sales presentation with the same individual.

To register your number on the Do Not Call list, go to: www.donotcall.gov.

Be aware that, unless Congress votes to change matters, signing onto the Do Not Call list is not permanent. You have to renew every five years. But a bill before Congress now would make it permanent.

For the time being, your name will stay on the list. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it will not drop any telephone numbers from the Do Not Call Registry based on a five-year expiration period until a final congressional or agency action makes it permanent or not.

For more information on this go to: www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/10/dnctestimony.shtm.