消費税(しょうひぜい)

消費税(しょうひぜい) is the value-added tax applied to goods and services in Japan.

CURRENT RATES:
The standard rate is 10% (as of 2019). A reduced 8% rate applies to food and beverages (excluding alcohol and dining out) and newspaper subscriptions.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• 消費税(しょうひぜい)込(こ)み / 税込(ぜいこ)み: price including tax
• 税(ぜい)抜(ぬ)き / 税(ぜい)別(べつ): price before tax
• 消費税(しょうひぜい)増税(ぞうぜい): consumption tax increase
• 軽減(けいげん)税率(ぜいりつ): reduced tax rate

USAGE:
Prices in stores may be displayed as 税込(ぜいこ)み (tax included) or 税抜(ぜいぬ)き (tax excluded). Always check which is displayed.