Can we stop calling these taxes? The rental companies want to make it sound as if they do not have a choice to collect them from us. They are not taxes on us, but rather taxes on the companies. To us, they are fees, fines, surcharges, or whatever, but not taxes. This is a cost of doing business which they are passing directly onto us, as a separate fee. Why should they stop here? Why not collect the "taxes" they have to pay on the puchase of the vehicle as an additional add on fee?

I have no idea why this thread made me think of this, but there is a local pizza shop which has "free delivery". However, if you pick it up yourself, they give you a dollar off. When you point out that delivery therefore is not free, but costs a dollar, they sort of glaze over. It is similar to discussing the miles fee issue with a rental company. "It is a tax, Sir" No it's not. They are just charging for free delivery.