Imagine having $26 billion dangling just in front of you, only to have it repeatedly jerked away. That’s the situation facing the 45 states that have a sales tax, as people do more of their shopping from the comfort of their couches, rather than in retail stores.
The $26 billion is what states estimate they could collect in sales taxes on products sold remotely — online and via mail order. But because taxes are not collected on most remote sales — with the exception of most Amazon sales — states aren’t capturing those potential billions in revenue.
“Obviously e-commerce is becoming more important every day,” said Andy Gerlach, secretary of revenue in South Dakota, which set the pace in 2016 in attempting to capture sales tax from remote retailing. “You see the stores that have closed or downsized — J.C. Penney and a lot of others in this area. If you can’t tax e-commerce, it’s going to continue to erode the taxes your state is going to take in. We need a tax policy that keeps up with that.”
Taxing online sales is just one of the ways states are trying to keep up with the modern economy by reforming their tax codes, which have not been overhauled in decades.
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6 comments:
Maybe if states promoted more business growth in their communities and quit filing nuisance suits against the federal government when the liberals don't like something, the states would have a lot more money. Amazing how Delaware can survive without a sales tax but other states are addicted to sales tax like junkies on crack. Just one more fix.
If our state would spend our taxes a little more wiser, this wouldn't be an issue.
Oh I feel so bad for the states.
I guess I will send in some donations to the MD government.
You know, just try to help them out a little.
More speeding, seat belt, and phone tickets should cover it.
8:22 nailed it.
If our "leaders" (spit the taste out of your mouth now) spent OUR money like they should, there would be NO need for more and more and more and more taxes, fees, surcharges, fines, levies, etc.
But hey are hell bent on putting their names on every park bench and sign in the state. Giving away "grants" (granting access to OUR money) for studying why butterflies fly eractically, putting sidewalk warmers in the Governor's mansion (!?), taking their staffs and FAMILIES (who elected THEM??) to Singapore to look for "business opportunities" (I wonder what wisdom their 10 year old daughter brought back about "opportunities" and will she introducing legislation later?).
These leeches make a CAREER out of stealing, lying, cheating, and dozens of other ethical, legal, and moral violations.
You keep re-electing them.
But you would raise holy hell and call the police if someone stole a houseplant off your porch.
Your "leaders" steal MILLIONS and they're your friend and buddy??
Keep cheering.
Screw the state! They already steal too much from us, and then piss it away on stupid sh**! Feeding and housing useless people, Drug treatment for looser, Overpaid city officials, free stuff for illegals.
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