You’re correct.
What we are disagreeing on, maybe, to some extent is whether or not the 999 gets us into that territory or not.
Again, I don’t think it would be accurate just to add up the percentages of sales tax. The underlying cost of the good would have to be a factor.
Although, are you saying this argument you’re referencing says 20% sales tax leads to a black market regardless of the underlying cost of goods?
I would have to go find it again to check for certain, but I’d think it would have to be product based. I doubt folks will be getting black market potato chips, but there are some things that might go the route that tobacco has.
Prime candidates in my mind would be big ticket items (house, car, boat, etc.), sin tax items like tobacco, alcohol; and bulk items. I can see lots of freezers stuffed with meat purchased on the hoof or out the back door of the grocery store.