According to Politicio, Americans are not excited at the prospect of tax on Internet-purchased items…
A poll conducted for a pair of conservative groups finds most voters opposed to federal Internet sales tax legislation and suggests that lawmakers who vote for it could face attacks in the midterm elections.
The results of July surveys for the National Taxpayers Union and R Street, shared first with POLITICO, show that 57 percent of “likely” voters oppose changing the system for how states collect sales taxes from Internet purchases. One-third support it.
Mercury, the public affairs firm that conducted the poll for the groups that oppose the Marketplace Fairness Act, found that majorities of suburban voters, women and independents oppose the measure. In a separate poll specifically of Republican voters, 66 percent opposed changing the system.
A quick note: Minnesota have charged an online sales tax since July 2013.
The arguments are the same:
- Communities need the added revenue
- Consumers don’t want to pay “extra”
- Online tax gives online-only businesses an advantage
Interestingly nobody mentions the essential points on this issue. Sales and use tax are part of our state and local laws. People who fail to pay all the appropriate sales and use taxes they owe are breaking the law and “freeloading” off those who pay these taxes. Remember taxes go to support all the services provided by state and local governments.