Internet Sales Tax, good or bad?

I've mixed feelings on this one and would like others opinions on the merits and downsides to the concept.

As this proposal is aimed at states and not the federal gov't, I'm more inclined to cede it's value. Living in a smaller community, I see the local retailers suffering with the rest of us in a down economy. This is made worse by shoppers buying on-line for no other reason than to avoid the state and county sales taxes.

Taxes, by the way, that our communities have voted in to cover local shortfalls.

Off the top, I see more jobs and less future lay-offs in our local businesses if that loop-hole is closed. Perhaps even more local jobs created, at least a few.

It takes away some of the business from the big boys and redirects it to local businesses that I can see.

The biggest down-side, at least to me, is that it opens the door, however slightly, to a potential, future federal sales tax. Something like the Canadian goods and services tax that is imposed in Canada.

More government intrusion and taxation or just closing a "loop-hole" that allows an unfair advantage to a select few??

I think good, it will help to level the playing field with brick and stone local businesses, and this will help them sell more and create jobs locally. The States will have more money to fix roads and run their programs also, they do need money. The tax shouldn't mean the states can start wasting money again though, there is nothing wrong with a state having money in the bank for emergencies.

Bad bad bad bad.......

Internet is like a free wild west devoid of any gov intrusion, well besides nsa spying. Its a global community with an even playing field. Then here comes big bro wanting more taxes.......ridiculous!!!!!

All they have to do is cut the budget from the black books of Pentagon, nsa, and stop sending aid to other countries.

First tax the net, then breathing tax, then death tax, per mile of driving tax, how many times you urinate and deficate tax, ..........leave the net alone!!!!!!!!

Any tax is wealth destruction which also means it is job destruction.

I do not support any tax on the net simple fact why the hell would anyone support giving them more money to blow?

NO INTERNET TAX!

reply to post by rickymouse


I'm inclined to agree with you. Yet, to play devil's advocate, so many programs to generate money by any level of gov't have been started, apparently with good reasoning and intentions, have ended up prolonged and abused, even expanded over time.

Locally, say tolls on bridges to pay for construction costs end up left on seemingly forever, surely well past the point of paying back the original cost.

Citing your example of fixing roads, there is far more state revenue generated by road tax and gas taxes to maintain our infrastructure, the state gov't drain those monies and use it up in general funding.

It's hard to trust these guys.LOL

More taxes are always bad, but it isn't the tax itself that is bad, it is the totally disingenuous argument in favor of them that is bad. The silly reason given is that taxing internet purchases will make us go back to local retailers is insane. Local retailers can only stock a few items at best, relative to what can be "stocked" via the web. The idea that I'll run back to 7-11 to buy my food if my internet purchased food is taxed the same is obscene.

Tax and shut up, but don't make up some nonsensical reason for it, then attach the words:" fairness," "wholesome," "American," "family values" to make the process seem godly. What is shocking to me is how stupid the majority of the populace is, were someone to decide eating the millions of gallons of pig $%^T that plagues us was a must, they'd only need call it: "Food for family wholesomeness act of mother earth" and countless folks would run for a swig of the poo.

Reply to post by rickymouse

Hey, theres no chains on that guy over there!

Make it fair by putting chains on him or removing them from yourself. Your choice.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

reply to post by nwtrucker


Internet Tax. No way. I prefer t shop online for the fact that there is no sales tax. If I can purchase a TV and not pay a dime worth of tax, why the hell would I give the gov't more money? We are taxed enough, taxed to death as it is, in virtually every way conceivable. It's ridiculous. Here's a list of taxes we pay (granted, some of us don't pay all of them, but it's how they hit us in every way they can) and here's another.

It's disgusting.

Now, while internet retails who have brick and mortar stores in a state DO collect sales tax on internet purchases, do we want an internet tax ON TOP of this tax too? And as another has stated, how long before there's a federal tax on top of that?

I'm sick to death of taxes on this and fees on that. It's EVERYWHERE and we're just being milked for it. I can understand some taxes as necessary, such as for roads and infrastructure, education, etc, but like Thoreau, useless taxes that only rake in money because they can has to stop.

No internet tax.

If they'd like to tax me on online purchases, they better be funneling that money back into my community or into programs that provide internet access to those without, or with infrastructure.

That's the only 'taxes' I'm willing to pay.

Otherwise the government can shove it, they don't own the internet.

~Tenth

reply to post by crankyoldman


OK, But I don't feel "insane". LOL

In general, I figure our system was set up to allow the member states to run their houses the way they want without federal intrusion.

If N.Y. or California want to go "socialist" , restrictive gun laws, so on, let em. it's up to the locals to decide/fix. If they want goats to be able to marry sheep, let em. it's their business.

Just as long as they leave the rest of us ALONE. Let us run our states as WE want.

State and county taxes, especially county, have few revenue sources and if the local people vote a county tax, outside corporations, who already have a huge advantage in "volume purchasing", The Wal-Marts, Costcos of the world, not pay those county taxes or even state taxes, the local businesses get screwed.

From my view of things, assuming you don't live in a big city, is take care of the local community first, your neighbors, your friends. When local economies grow then all of a sudden the overall state economy looks better, then the national outlook improves.

If it's the local sales tax itself that's the beef then go activist and work for it's overall removal.

Not exemption for the big boys! ...I think...LOL

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


Good point!

More taxes are always good. We should increase the aid to the less fortunate and those who wish to stay home and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Higher EBT limits. $1000/month for food is not enough free money. We should pay teachers more and encourage illegals to cross the border for free education and free medical and increase government programs. Maybe start a new war so we can fund it. More taxes are always good. The people in the US are so wealthy we should give more and support and even bigger government. We can expand the spy program and increase government regulation and reduce personal freedoms and rights. Let's give give give. This is our democracy. We run it. Higher taxes for all.

reply to post by nwtrucker


I'm going with bad because the state & federal Govts don't know how to properly & responsibly manage our tax dollars so the last thing I want to do is give these people more of our hard earned money.

reply to post by Liquesence


Actually, it was me who mentioned the possibility of a later federal tax on internet sales.

I guess it comes down to trust of the people who we've "elected". The track record of our gov't's says "repeat offender". One may give "parole" to a one time offender, not a repeat offender.LOL.

OK, I stand corrected. Until we can trust these guys we will have to err towards distrust rather than trust.

No internet tax.

reply to post by nwtrucker


The thing about this is that it isn't a new tax. The states were getting this money before but now they aren't. There weren't that many people buying on the net six to ten years ago, now it is big business and a big percentage of the sales in this country. This is just restoring the income to the states not giving them a raise.

reply to post by rickymouse


Very good point.

You make it a close call for again. Drat!

Even if this isn't a tax raise, per say, it looks like the majority of posters are saying, if I'm reading this right, is it's an issue of trust.

Almost as if the Internet is the last bastion of tax liberty. One that needs to be defended to the last man.

An Alamo. LOL

Local suffering by merchants is the lesser of two evils, apparently.

Besides, is this discussion moot? Our two parties will probably get this passed eventually no matter what we think..

Originally posted by nwtrucker
reply to post by rickymouse

 

Local suffering by merchants is the lesser of two evils, apparently.

Local merchants arent suffering because I want to save 6% or whatever the tax rate is. Shipping costs more than that sales tax.

Local merchants are suffering because of local business and property taxes and they never have the items on the shelves I want to buy.

Claiming that single digit sales tax is the cause of brick and mortar pain is silly.

Who would get taxed? The customer or the business?
Both have a flaw.

If a tax is initiated for the customer, they wont buy as much stuff in general (lots of spontaneous buying online due to the price), which will make companies buy cheaper knock off stuff to compensate, pay employees less, outsource, etc...obviously this depends on the tax rate itself...adding a extra buck on a hundred dollar order for instance probably won't matter in the long run, but it won't do as intended either by making a person drive to the local brick and morter shop.

Taxing the company itself for sales will just make people use overseas places for ordering and punish only the nations companies.

So gonna say no for net tax. At least, not under the pretense that it is meant to help local mom and pops in any significant way. If they were say, going to make a small tax per transactions in order to then use those funds directly for increased net speeds, more hubs, refurbed netbooks for the poor, etc...I would be all about that (requirement: tracking for every last taxdollar for smart spending and ROI). That would add to communities moreso than just taxing for..why the hell not.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


I think you misunderstand my point. it's not the tax that he's losing it the sale itself and the profit that that sale would have engendered.

He doesn't need to have it in stock locally as the "internet sale" doesn't have it "in stock" locally either. Either sale is going to cause a wait. Be it the local merchant waiting for the item to be shipped to him or the internet sale waiting to be shipped to you.

I've had both good and bad experiences purchasing on-line, more bad than good. I won't bore with details that we all know.

Having a guy that I've dealt with, eye ball to eye ball, who is responsible for the quality and warrenty of the item has huge advantages over the net.

Bottom line is physical retail sales isn't going away...ever.

An "unregulated" internet may save some sales tax, a good thing, but there is a price that is paid for that "freedom". Abuse is rampant,

If it's a small item, I'd rather pay an extra 6-7% and have the ability to fix any problem face to face than fight through the net's B.S. with someone who doesn't speak English in some country that doesn't give a rats rectum about my issue.

Once again it's not clear cut either way.

reply to post by nwtrucker


I understand. Im not choosing an online retailer because Im trying to avoid sales tax.
There is no sales tax in my state for any retailer.

I'm choosing an online retailer because of selection and convenience.

You may like the personal touch. I hate it. The moment I see a sales person I turn and leave. I do the same for online retailers that have that stupid chat pop up.

Sales tax is a non-issue for my shopping habits since there isnt one in this state.