End of the Internet's Tax-Free Ride?

News.com has a piece looking at renewed efforts by both state and federal lawmakers to subject Internet sales to state taxes. "Two bills are pending in Congress that would allow tax collectors to target out-of-state Internet and mail-order retailers, and their supporters are optimistic about their political prospects... Meanwhile, pro-tax states are trying their own ways to circumvent a long-standing rule saying a retailer must have physical presence before it can be forced to collect taxes. One effort came from New York state, where legislators recently approved a measure requiring Amazon and other online retailers (that lack a physical presence in the state) to collect sales tax on New Yorkers' purchases... This is not exactly a new debate... But now, with a Democratic Congress and a potentially Democratic administration next year, the arguments may gain more political traction."

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Holy fuck

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It occurs to me that our economy may be in a bit better shape if, you know, we paid less in taxes and had that money spend on frivolous shit. I suppose either way it ends up in some fat cats pockets (via government contracts or purchase of goods, what's the diff how they get it, so long as they get it!)