sounds like something out of an Ayn Rand novel...
Posted on 08/01/2011 10:20:54 AM PDT by So Cal Rocket
Three Democrats have introduced a federal bill that would require online retailers such as Amazon.com to collect states' sales taxes.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) and Representatives John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) call their proposal that was introduced July 29 the Main Street Fairness Act.
Amazon.com, which has been fighting individual states – including California – over efforts to require online retailers to collect state and local sales tax, is supporting the bill, according to a letter to Durbin from Amazon.com Vice President for Global Public Policy Paul Misener.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
In the last 20 years I have not seen a single 'Rat-sponsored bill that did NOT have an Orwellian title.
Such a tax is a tax on interstate commerce, which is
unconstitutional.
It would lessen (theoretically) such interstate commerce
by erecting barriers (ie., it would be cheaper to buy
locally and not have to pay the additional s/h).
It’s not like you get a great benefit when you order online, because one way or another the shipping cost has to be accounted for. It seems to me to be something of a wash usually. If I had to pay tax AND shipping, it would be an unfair penalty on me for using the internet. And yes, it would make me stop using it as much. Only trouble is, more and more, I can’t think of where to buy this or that locally - I HAVE to use the interwebs.
A neighbor a few blocks away got mugged at a certain intersection. Must I reroute myself and also go through that intersection? Why should I get a pass?
The interstate commerce prohibition of obstructing interstate commerce has been repealed?
As far as I know there is no national sales tax, nor should there be. Just another hidden stealth means of the Feds getting more of our money.
As an aside, there is something perverse about collecting a tax when I download an electronic book, for instance. Nothing physical is being transfered.
At least for Michigan, yes, there was and is. You're supposed to self-report any mail order sales on your state income tax return.
Non-income tax states such as Florida have self-reporting forms that you are supposed to fill out and send in along with the sales tax payment.
So, how can Congress claim that it has the power to REQUIRE collection of state sales taxes in other states?
To Congress...
Either Constitutionally propose it as an amendment to be ratified by three-quarters of the states or stay out of unconstitutional meddling.
passes almost unanimously
With all the problems we have; they are worried about this?
No, it's not. It's a tax you pay, in lieu of sales tax, when you purchase an item from out of state, and use it within your home state. Use taxes have been around for decades. The forcing of the on-line retailer to collect these taxes is an undue burden on the retailer, unless that retailer also has brick-and-mortar locations within the state, they shouldn't be responsible for collecting the taxes.
The use tax is supposed to be paid by the consumer once the goods have come to rest in the state.
Look at your state's tax code. If you have a sales tax, I'll bet you also have a use tax to go along with it.
Now, think about how many felonies for filing fraudulent returns the government can get the populace for. Most states allow individuals to file and pay use taxes on the state income tax return.
Yeah, NC has the same thing. Wonder how that works out for them...
THIS IS SOME SCARY STUFF!
The “Main Street Fairness Act” creates a “Governing Board” to supervise the administration of the “Streamlined Sales Tax Project”.
The “Streamlined Sales Tax Project” is an agreement between 44 states to modify and unify their sales taxes.
The “Main Street Fairness Act” also implies that all states will become part of the “Streamlined Sales Tax Project”.
What it comes down to is....this is a backhanded way to institute a NATIONAL SALES TAX and VAT!
sounds like something out of an Ayn Rand novel...
Thanks sickoflibs.
Please freepmail me if you wish to be added or dropped from the mitten ping.
Conyers??! I'm shocked, I tell ya!
My husband and I have been paying use tax for about 20 years on catalog orders. Michigan IRS assumed that because of the nature of his job, he was avoiding paying them for his business, which was not the case. We have been saving receipts on all on-line and catalog orders ever since and paying Michigan use tax.
“This is crap. There never used to be a tax on catalogue sales such as from Sears catalogue.”
Are there no Sears brick and mortar stores in Michigan? My understanding is that if the retailer has a physical presence in the State, they are required to charge tax.
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