Episode 142: Hidden Taxes Exposed - The Taxes You Don't See Coming

Join hosts Chris Picciurro, CPA and John Tripolsky as they shine a light on the "cockroach taxes" that hide in the dark - those sneaky hidden taxes that have nothing to do with your income level but can significantly impact your wallet.

What You'll Learn:
• The #1 hidden tax affecting everyone: Sales tax (45 states + DC)
• How travel industry taxes can add 40% to your booking costs
• Franchise and excise taxes for business owners
• Real estate transfer taxes that hit even loss transactions
• "Sin taxes" on alcohol and cigarettes with shocking state variations
• Hotel occupancy and rental car taxes that inflate travel costs

Key Takeaways:
Hidden taxes are non-income based taxes you pay without filing returns. From California's $800 LLC fee to New York's $4.35 per pack cigarette tax, these taxes can add thousands to your annual expenses. Learn which states have the highest burdens and how to plan around them.

Eye-Opening Examples:
• Florida's 0.7% real estate transfer tax on ALL property sales
• New York cigarette taxes costing smokers $1,500+ annually
• Hotel taxes adding 15% to your lodging costs
• Ticketmaster-style "convenience fees" of 25-35%

Resources:
Find a tax professional at www.2025.tax

Episode Sponsor:
Strategic Associates, LLC
Roger Roundy
www.linkedin.com/in/roger-roundy-86887b23

(00:00) - Uncovering Hidden Taxes and Their Impact on Your Wallet
(03:31) - Hidden Taxes: Sales, Travel, and Franchise Fees Explored
(07:37) - Californians Moving and Making Friends in Franklin Tennessee
(08:05) - Understanding Real Estate Transfer Taxes and Their Implications
(12:31) - Exploring Sin Taxes and Their Impact on Consumption
(19:05) - Exploring Local Tax Initiatives and Community Engagement

Ep. 142 | Hidden Taxes Exposed

Teaching Tax Flow: The Podcast