Comments on: Tax-free Internet shopping days could be numbered

Pro-tax states and the National Conference of State Legislatures are hoping to persuade Congress to let states impose new fees on Internet and mail-order sales.

[yo-mf]

Verenda Smith says you are all "bad" Americas

"Verenda Smith, government affairs associate for the Federation of Tax Administrators, framed the decision as a moral one of sorts: "Do you want to be a good American, or do you want to be an American who wants to cheat your government deliberately? It's a harsh way to look at it, but it's true.""

Let the government bureaucracy and taxation lover know your thoughts about what type of "bad" Americas you are. We deserve to be taxed even more as we are ungrateful and are not worthy of our wonderful and protective and wise government.

Please contact Verenda Smith at 202-624-8443 or send email to [e-mail].

[topdj-com]

I still love the fact that NY charges the Same Sales tax on a car even if it is sold 5 times $20000 car gets them $1600 the first sale and lets say it sold for $15000 a year and a half later another $1200. another year or two $10000 gets them $800. see how much can be made on the same car. If they taxed Items sold on e bay " that already had the TAX paid by original owner then they are double dipping. This country and local government needs to tighten its belt and cut back on spending

[marjtoo]

Thought about that many years ago. The same can be said for even small things like clothing purchases from a second-hand store.

[steve1946]

We need to fight the Streamlined Sales Tax Initiative in which 17 states are going to be collecting sales taxes from 1000 web sites.
This initiative depends on SECRECY. If the identities of the 1000 on-line merchants become known, other non-participating states would attempt to force them to collect tax as well.
So, what we need is for some person with some tech savvy (more than I have) to begin a blog at which folks could report sites which have begun to charge sales taxes under the program. These web merchants could be listed for each state, and shine the light of publicity on them. I would guess that within 60 days, all 1000 would be identified. Shoppers could avoid them, other states would pursue them, and this idea would go away.

[taxtired]

If I have to pay shipping and sales taxes on my internet purchases I am just as well off buying local and letting the sales tax go to my state (most of the time). The government politicians forget that these sales bring in money to the large and small companies, which brings it to their states. If you added up all the taxes that you pay (sales,auto,property,income, etc) to all the different governments (city,county,state,federal) you work 5 or 6 months a year to pay them off now. And it is just going to get worse the way this country is hurting. Theses politicians are going to be looking for more ways to collect more fees and taxes for them to waste.

[CaOneida]

well, this is all fine and good, but it is a unfortunate fact of life we have to live with, but consider the other fact of the issue. protecting those brick and mortar shops that make actually investment in the stock and have over head to worry about. if the net were to charge tax on purchases it would then possibly redirect consumers to do business with there local shops. in return those shops would be come more aware of the important of customer service to the customers that that shop at there establishments, bring back to us the consumer the importance of customer service.
as well as the consumer realizing that the fact to speak to someone face to face and ask the questions that the web can not always answer.
well, enough about that. i for one would like to see something done to create a even playing field for those of us in the service industry.

[marjtoo]

Americans pay, on average, over 50% of their total earnings in various taxation.

Now: Why should, say, California receive sales taxes on purchases from Washington businesses? Shouldn't WA be the one to collect the sales tax for merchandise purchased there?

To be fair, if this taxation goes through, a state should only be allowed to receive taxes on in-state purchases. People who buy things in a state in which they do not live do not pay sales taxes for these purchases to their home state, so why should they pay taxes to their state for out-of-state internet purchases?

I see this, as state's spend money to implement and maintain such a tax, as a drain on state's resources that they may not have taken into consideration--yet another state department necessary, with of course more employees, more computers, etc.

Chash360's comment is correct. A city near here raised sales taxes last year to finance a future water park. Sales, especially higher-dollar purchases such as appliances, have dropped drastically during the last two quarters and residents within 35-40 miles are now shopping more in their own little towns; the city is now facing an almost-million dollar shortfall in revenues.

[marjtoo]

Doing my small part .... sending all these comments to my congressperson and to Smith! It's all I know to do, but better than just complaining uselessly while our politicians try to take more of our money.