Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17235 Location: Texas

For years the internet has enjoyed its status as a relative haven from taxation, much to the chagrin of sales-tax reliant states. But with the fiscal situation growing more and more dire across all levels of government, and internet commerce continuing to eat into traditional forms of business, the lack of internet taxation sticks out like a sore thumb.

Indeed, the National Taxpayers Union, a libertarian anti-tax group says big tax hikes are definitely on the way.

Says the NTU:

Congressional sources say that introduction of federal legislation to implement the “Streamlined Sales Tax Project” (SSTP) could happen as early as this week. This comes in response to ongoing deliberation surrounding the issue of tax policy toward the Internet and the SSTP, a campaign that would allow states to collect sales taxes on transactions made by residents beyond their borders. States need Congress’s blessing for SSTP because of previous court rulings that governments cannot force firms within their jurisdiction to collect taxes on sales made to out-of-state customers.

“It is unfathomable that lawmakers, in good conscience, would place yet another tax burden on American families given our current economic climate,” said NTU Director of Government Affairs Andrew Moylan. “Passage of SSTP legislation would shovel more money into the coffers of states that don’t deserve it, while resulting in even more economic pain for hard-working taxpayers who have suffered enough.”
more.. link to news article

cohibastore.com · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 4908

Yes lets give the irresponsible pols more money to waste. Brilliantly stupid and I withdraw my Libertarian card.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

I'm actually surprised that something like this wasn't passed years ago.

When you consider that many, if not most, states have some form of Use Tax for purchases made outside the state of residence. But most of those states rely upon voluntary compliance, by their citizens to pay those Use taxes.

And especially these days, when so many states are hurting for money (aren't we all?) and finding out that it's never as easy to cut spending as it is to create the spending in the first place.

CuFF · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

When large store chains and other industry came online and enjoyed the no tax environment it ruined it for individual online Sellers. They should tax large companies selling new items and leave everyone else alone.

cohibastore.com · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 4908

DaLizardsLair wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")it's never as easy to cut spending as it is to create the spending in the first place

I disagree completely. There are millions of Americans figuring out just how easy it is to just stop spending. They don't have it, they don't spend it.

If you keep feeding the beast it will keep growing.

Daikon · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 949

Most first world countries (the US being the exception) have a sales tax - which is as high as 19% in the EU.

If a tax is introduced then it should be a general sales tax - who care if it was bought off the internet or not?

cohibastore.com · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 4908

Daikon wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Most first world countries (the US being the exception) have a sales tax - which is as high as 19% in the EU.

If a tax is introduced then it should be a general sales tax - who care if it was bought off the internet or not?

If we did away with all the other taxes I would be happy with vat/sales tax. Even 20% I could live with.

Don't spend, don't pay taxes. Seems pretty fair.

But to just keep adding taxes and not limiting the crippling spending that are destroying our economy and freedom is insane.

CS

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

cohibastore.com wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")DaLizardsLair wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")it's never as easy to cut spending as it is to create the spending in the first place

I disagree completely. There are millions of Americans figuring out just how easy it is to just stop spending. They don't have it, they don't spend it.

If you keep feeding the beast it will keep growing.

And millions of Americans are currently in bankruptcy courts because they ran out of money and turned to credit, in order to meet day to day expenses. They knew that they shouldn't do it, but when your kid is hungry or injured, logic goes out the window.

And just how many of these millions of Americans have to decide whether to close a prison or a library or a hospital because they can no longer afford to support all of them?

Perhaps the states should simply declare bankruptcy like the big corporations and millions of Americans are doing, and let someone else make all of the decisions.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

Quote: › docWrite("quote")If we did away with all the other taxes I would be happy with vat/sales tax. Even 20% I could live with.

Like the European countries don't have any other taxes?

We (The United States) pay next to nothing compared to what most of Europe pays.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

CuFF wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")When large store chains and other industry came online and enjoyed the no tax environment it ruined it for individual online Sellers.

Many if not all of those large chains charge sales tax for the state the buyer lives in.

CuFF wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")They should tax large companies selling new items and leave everyone else alone.

Sorry, but that is a stupid statement. There is no way to support such a statement.

cohibastore.com · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 4908

DaLizardsLair wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Quote: › docWrite("quote")If we did away with all the other taxes I would be happy with vat/sales tax. Even 20% I could live with.

Like the European countries don't have any other taxes?

We (The United States) pay next to nothing compared to what most of Europe pays.

Are you saying you want us to be taxed more? Are you saying we need to give more money to irresponsible politicians and bureaucrats?

For gods sake the taxes in Western Europe are killing thier economies and you want to be another nanny state like the UK.

Wake up DaLizardsLair, the more you give them the more they will take.

Then one day there will be no rich left except them and everyone will pay 50% to fed, 10% state, 3% local, plus 8% sales tax, sin tax, phone tax, gas tax by the mile, plus school-property tax, cell phone tax, electric tax, phone tax, internet tax, health insurance tax.....

I cannot believe anyone in this day and age is supporting more taxes.

CuFF · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 1:23 am Post subject:

Misery loves company.

Cataromma · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 18

We do shows all over the state. It is already a nightmare to do the California sales tax report, just for reporting sales from the various counties. The report already runs 8 pages. Different rate for each county, some with additional city tax, etc., figure out what minuscule percent goes to which entity, and make it all match to the penny with what was collected. I can't imagine how much time it would take to try and add all the states to a tax report for the web sales. It would take all day!

Daikon · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 949

In all fairness, even though taxes in Europe are high, most folks there have 100% health care coverage, universities are affordable to everyone (and it's possible to graduate debt-free) and there's a safety net for everyone who loses his or her job.

Between a system were only the wealthy have a chance of quality of life opposed to a system where everyone gets a chance I choose the latter ^_^

cohibastore.com · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 4908

Daikon wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")In all fairness, even though taxes in Europe are high, most folks there have 100% health care coverage, universities are affordable to everyone (and it's possible to graduate debt-free) and there's a safety net for everyone who loses his or her job.

Between a system were only the wealthy have a chance of quality of life opposed to a system where everyone gets a chance I choose the latter ^_^

I am sickened by attitudes like this.

America used to be about proving yourself and excelling to the best of your abilities. Now it’s about getting on the dole and shrugging off responsibility and complaining that someone else has more.

Those great European socialist wonderlands you speak of offer an equal chance at being stifled by government regulation, taxes and living a mundane life. The desire or need to succeed and excel is trampled by government programs that keep people down.

I am not wealthy or even upper middle class. My family never had money. The one thing I did learn was that hard work and smart work pay off. Myself and others who understand hard work pays prefer to depend on ourselves and our families not the government.

Want more? Earn it. Want better health care. Get a @#$% job and save your money. I’m tired of hearing about folks with car payments, mortgages and cell phones b!tching they don’t have health insurance. It’s not my fault they don’t know how to manage money.

Government does not do it better. Why is this so hard for people to accept?

CS