Albertsons (NorthWest) ~ Question: Why do I always get charged tax on food items with coupons? (only happens at Albertson's)

[cearhart]

This only happens to me at Albertsons that's why I posted it here.

Whenever I go shopping and checkout at Albertson's the computer says I owe tax. I know that I don't actually owe the tax because I only buy food items. I do have food stamps and I pay with my EBT card but after I run my card for the amount (which is correct because I always figure my totals before I checkout)the computer says I owe tax. Now before you answer I have one thing to add the day I checkout I will have 3 or 4 transactions and the tax will be EXACTLY the same on every order. I do not buy exactly the same items I buy very different items. For example today I bought some pop,oil, and pam spray, the tax was $0.84. I also bought in a different transaction popcorn and chef-boy-r-dee the tax was also $0.84. weird, huh? The cashiers have no idea why it does this and just cash it out and write it down on a piece of paper. Oh and one more thing this only happens when I use coupons. If I only buy bread or something no tax problem and especially happens with the double coupons. But I was wondering if this happens to anyone else? Do you even notice if the tax is correct? Anyone know?

[ShowersofBlessings]

Well, I don't know where you live, but in WA, we get charged tax on pop. And the tax seems to be on the pre-coupon amount.

Can you buy pop with your EBT card? If so, you can buy the pop, but it won't pay the tax? Is pop the only food item that you can buy with an EBT card that you get charged tax on? I think that we also get charged tax on water. I know I have been charged tax on water. It's a weird system.

[cearhart]

I do live in WA and yes there is tax on pop however when I pay with my ebt card the tax gets dropped because it is paid for by the state. I know weird huh? I do have to pay tax on other drinks though and the tax was the same on the order that had the pop and the order that did not have the pop. So I don't understand.....:shrug7:

[CouponNg]

I have had this problem also, I find it only happens when I use catalina generated coupons combined with EBT. I have called and complained and they say it is because of the way catalina codes their coupons. But there is no tax when I use cats with cash or check or CC, only EBT. So, then they say I need to call the state, I know where that will lead. You are lucky that your cashiers write it off, some of mine do not. Sometimes I argue with them, sometimes I just pay it. One time I owed .74 after q's so I ran my EBT card, it charge .74 to my account, and then I owed .95 tax!:shrug7: So, I gave up using catalina coupons with EBT, I just use my OYNO with things that EBT won't cover like paper products. Or when my OOP is very small and I can pay cash. But, it is frustrating to do that and makes it hard to roll OYNOs. I was told to tell the cashiers to write it off and soon it will be fixed. My call was the first they had heard of such a thing. I am surprised by that because most of the cashiers are familar with the problem. Don't they ever pass along such info to their superiors?

[nateNnatsmommy]

Cearheart, I've heard of other people having this problem as well, it's definitely not just you.

[jenrose]

That must have been what was going on with the person in line in front of me the other day at albies. They ended up closing down the line and pulling me to another register while they tried to figure it out.

[mzbeers]

In some states you have to pay tax on the coupon amount.

[vickilmp]

It has been happening here also, just in the last 2 weeks only, never before..they right it off, put it on their list, and we move on...they don't even call for a manager now.

[CouponNg]

Jen,
That is true, here in WA you must pay tax on the pre-coupon amt. but only if the item is taxable to begin with. And this never happens to me when I use any other coupon, ONLY catalina generated coupons.:shrug7:I can't figure what is different about them. It happens on OYNO as well as item specific cats. At WAGS, if your RR is on a taxable item, you actually get more than face value when you buy a nontaxable item when you redeem it. One time Safeway paid me cash back for the coupon amt. when I used EBT.

[CW&M Mom]

Different state and no albertsons but in Missouri nearly anytime I used a coupon with EBT they would give me a small amount of change back...I never understood why, and I don't think they did either LOL