Slashdot Mirror
Washington State Encourages Internet Sales Tax
prostoalex writes "Washington state Governor signed a tax bill encouraging out of state businesses to collect sales taxes on purchases made by Washington state residents. It should be noted, though, that Washington state does not collect personal income tax, and hence relies on state sales tax for 53.1% of its revenues." As the article notes, "People who purchase items from out-of-state Internet or catalog companies are currently supposed to pay the sales tax, but rarely do." Looks like Washington-staters won't be able to fib on their tax returns about internet purchases, starting in 2008.
States get the authority to tax interstate purchases from the same place that software companies get the authority to impose EULAs: from the magic of flat-out lying.
You're right. Let's just leave mass transit, maintaining the roads, and law enforcement up to large corporations. Then we wouldn't have to pay taxes to the government.
Of course, then those corporations would need a steady flow of income to make up for how much they're spending on these services. I got it! They could collect fees from people using the roadways at certain points, charge a percentage for all goods sold on their land, and charge everyone in the area based on how much they make each year.
Then we wouldn't have to pay those stupid taxes.
I just read Slashdot for the articles.
Right...but besides providing services like roads, state police, labor and environmental protection to the purchaser, courts, etc., what have the Romans ever done for us?
:)
Oops, I mean the state...
I'll be happy to pay your "out-of-state sales tax" if you'll provide me with the ability to vote in your elections. [Palpatine] Awlll of them. [/Palpatine]
I expect representation for the taxation.