Living in VAT hell

Glossary of difficult words

flat rate - a charge that is the same in all cases, not varying in proportion with something; (Amazon.de charges a slightly higher amount for heavy or large items);

to tack something on - to add or append something to something already existing;

conspicuous - standing out so as to be clearly visible;

to be on track - on course; making progress toward;

weighted-average VAT - used here to mean the average rate people pay based on the volume of the goods and services consumed in the individual VAT brackets;

to give someone a run for his money - to provide someone or something with challenging competition or opposition (meant here in an ironical sense);

bang for your buck - value for money; performance for cost (buck meaning dollar in this sense).