UBP question

[samgrab]

I am cruising next week on Breakaway. .so excited!!! I have the UBP and i know that gratuity is already paid for but I have seen a few threads that have stated that we can still be taxed while in New York. Is this true? Is it the 18% per drink or different? Also, how long are we technically considered still in New York then? Just trying to get all my finances in order before the big day!

Edited September 7, 2015 by samgrab

[spidybabe]

Yes, we are just off the 8/9 sailing and with the UBP you do pay NYC tax. Do not remember the exact amount- but less than $1/drink. I can check the exact amount tomorrow. The 18% is NCL's gratuity, which shows on the slip-but is covered by UBP. The tax is charged until you are in international waters, about 1 1/2 hours after departure. You will know because the casino and shops will open.

Safe sailing

[samgrab]

Thank you so much for the information!

[spidybabe]

I'll look for receipt and post exact amount tomorrow

Safe sailing

[Director Don]

I am cruising next week on Breakaway. .so excited!!! I have the UBP and i know that gratuity is already paid for but I have seen a few threads that have stated that we can still be taxed while in New York. Is this true? Is it the 18% per drink or different? Also, how long are we technically considered still in New York then? Just trying to get all my finances in order before the big day!

 

 

The total sales and use tax rate in New York City is 8.875%. So... if you're on the UBP... the MOST you'd pay per drink is $.98 ($11 x .08875=$.97625) while NYC can still get their hands on your wallet; Rule of thumb... just multiply your drink cost by 9 moved the decimal point two places to the left and that'll tell you approximately the tax added which is not coved under the UBP. Just remember to keep smiling, you're on vacation.... within a hour or so after leaving the pier, the tax will go away!

[spidybabe]

Here is our receipt. Hope u can read it.

2 drinks 9.95+8.95+3.40 gratuity / service charge+1.68 port tax=23.98. Only the 1.68 showed on bill.

Safe sailing

[insidecabin]

Why are they charging sales tax on something that is free?

 

AIUI they have fixed this problem in europe where they were charging VAT on free things.

[champagne lover]

We are sailing on Escape from Miami, will we pay tax on drinks there as well until we are well away from the port?

[mizLORInj]

Why are they charging sales tax on something that is free?

 

. . .

 

It is a NYC tax. All cruises (on all cruise lines) departing from NYC will pay tax on all purchases until out of the NYC area. The only way around it is to wait till you're away from NYC to buy anything.

 

As stated, it is less than $1 per drink in taxes.

[Demonyte]

Why are they charging sales tax on something that is free?

 

 

The drink is never free - the fact that it is covered by a package and the charge moved to a different account later does not make it free and since it is not free, it has a price that is taxable.

[LrgPizza]

We are sailing on Escape from Miami, will we pay tax on drinks there as well until we are well away from the port?

Yes

[skeeter195]

The way NCL has set up the UBP, there is now way around paying the tax in port.

 

If NCL would give you a receipt with the drink description and a zero dollar amount than there would be no tax. 8.875% of zero is still zero.

[insidecabin]

The drink is never free - the fact that it is covered by a package and the charge moved to a different account later does not make it free and since it is not free, it has a price that is taxable.

 

It is the way it is implimented.

 

The tax should be on the final amount not the starting amount.

 

If you get a discount on land you don't pay tax on the pre discount price.

[ngrund]

It is the way it is implimented.

 

The tax should be on the final amount not the starting amount.

 

If you get a discount on land you don't pay tax on the pre discount price.

 

actually you quite often do-

 

for example, any instant rebate offer will state that tax is on the pre rebate price