What is sales tax money used for?
Almost anything a person buys has a sales tax added to the price. However, rarely are people told exactly where this money goes. Sales-tax revenues are usually used for the public good; this can mean things such as a rail system, building new schools or emergency funds.ConsiderationsSales-tax rates differ from state to state and even between counties, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators. In addition, the states determine how they use the tax revenue.IdentificationSales-tax money usually goes into a general fund for whatever the state needs, or to specific social services such as education funding, upkeep of public land or savings, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue.TypesSales taxes often have two parts: the state minimum sales tax and an optional county sales tax added to the state sales tax, according to the Converse County, Wyo., Treasurer’s Office. States usually let counties keep most or all of any local sales tax to use as they see fit.TipsMany states ha