Out of interest. Why is the taxes payable on certain items such as Mcdonalds (!!), etc not included within the price displayed, it's very confusing!

In the UK our taxes are included within the tag so it's much easier!!

there is an 8.5% sales tax on just about anything you buy, except food from a grocery store, medicine, and NO TAX ON CLOTHING PURCHASES UNDER $110.
THe sales tax varies from state to state. NY has one of the very highest rates. The state I come from in the midwest has a 5% sales tax. But NY is unique with the no-tax-on-clothes thing.