[k2blader]

There is a huge difference between a national retail sales tax and a "Value Added Tax."

Count me among the confused...

[Principled]

A national retail sales tax is a tax levied ONE TIME ONLY, that time being the point of final retail consumption.

A Value Added Tax (VAT)is a tax that levies additional tax at every production step, including the final sale. BTW, the flat income tax is a VAT.

Look here for lots of quick info.