This post seems to imply that we're considering a special Internet tax here. Last I heard, the proposed bill was simply about removing the special exemption Internet and mail order purchases currently enjoy. Since when is there an additional, special Internet tax being proposed?
It doesn't really have anything to do with the Internet or mail order per se.
Businesses have never, in general, been required to collect sales taxes for other states. It doesn't matter if the sale is on the Internet, mail order, or face-to-face. In some states (Washington is one for sure, but I believe there are others) you can even get out of paying their own sales tax for face-to-face purchases. For example, if a resident of Alaska (no state sales tax) has proper ID, he can travel to Washington state and pay no Washington tax on his purchases (you do have to certify that you're planning to take your purchase out of Washington state -- if it's going to be consumed or used in Washington, you have to pay Washington tax).
So re-frame it as the removal of the exemption. Makes no difference how you spell that out, it adds up to an increase in taxes on goods sold / bought for American companies.
> So re-frame it as the removal of the exemption. Makes no difference how you spell that out, it adds up to an increase in taxes on goods sold / bought for American companies.
No, it doesn't. US buyers were already responsible for local use taxes for remote purchases. This just shifts who is responsible for the taxes to the retailer (if the taxing states opt-in, which requires them to adhere to certain tax streamlining provisions and other requirements that make the process simpler for retailers.)
This is a tax simplification and collection efficiency measure that doesn't change the amount of tax due on any sale.
