I checked the website and it says the $25 plan "includes all taxes and fees". I just tweeted @VMUcare and they're telling me my plan is subject to...
"All" means
all, regardless of what the@VMUcare person said. VM can't legally make an offer and fail to follow it.
I'd suggest you call in, then re-ask the question. If/when the tier one rep. gives you a scripted answer indicating that you have to pay taxes, ask for a supervisor. Re-ask the question and note the supervisor's answer. Try to write it down word for word and note the time and date of the call. Write down the reps names if they give them. If the supervisor indicates that you are subject to taxes, file a complaint with your state's Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's office. (The name of the part of the AG's office that handles consumer complaints varies from state to state, but it will be something like that.) Take a screen shot of the web site (or several if they state it several places) and see if you can grab a pamphlet at the store as evidence that VM is advertising "All taxes included" so you can submit that evidence with your complaint. Take a screenshot of the @VMUcare response to your question as well.
When filling out your complaint, state that you contacted @VMU care, and a call center customer service rep and a call center supervisor. (The AG's office usually wants you to demonstrate that you took reasonable effort to resolve the problem on your own.) Request that the AG's office force VM to comply with their offer as advertised and refund any additional taxes collected from citizens that were not in compliance with VM's offer, etc.
The AG's office probably has their complaint form on-line (to print out and mail and/or to submit electronically) Web search on "attorney general consumer protection [your state]"
Your state won't get shortchanged. VM will have to pay sales tax to the state, but the sales tax will have to be deducted from the $25, not added on top as they are trying to do now.
I renew tomorrow and I'm going to pay the tax, escalate through customer service and file a complaint if necessary. VM is advertising "all taxes included" so I expect them to follow the offer as advertised.
