Internet sales taxes creeping closer to reality

Just like oil companies, all this will do is force those companies offshore or to other countries.

 

I pay sales tax on a lot of purchases online already.

 

As it turns out, taxation with representation isn't so great, either.

 

Aww come now, droxford. Two things in life are certain: death, and taxes. Either way, we're screwed, representation or no.

 

Will Rogers: "The difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets."

 

Technically you should be paying Texas "use" taxes on goods you bought through a catalog or over the Internet (when they don't charge a sales tax) already.

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/faq_use.html

Do I owe tax on goods purchased via mail-order catalogs or Internet merchandise?

Yes. A seller who uses catalogs or the Internet to sell goods is treated the same as any other seller of taxable items. If you purchase merchandise through a catalog or the Internet from a seller located in Texas, you owe Texas sales tax on the purchase. If you purchase merchandise through a catalog or the Internet from a seller located outside of Texas and use the taxable item in Texas, then you owe Texas use tax on the purchase. An out-of-state mail-order company or an Internet company may hold a Texas Sales and Use tax permit and collect Texas tax. If the out-of-state seller does not have a Texas permit or does not collect Texas use tax, the use tax is due and payable by the purchaser

 

LOL, that's a new one for me, heard the quote that spawned this a bajillion times but never this one

 

will it really stop you from online shopping?

 

Even though I hate paying taxes and buy most of my stuff online, I feel online stores have a unfair disadvantage. I think it would level the playing field between online and brick and mortar.

 

Probably... at least for buying new items. No tax was the main reason I bought my television and PS3 from Amazon rather than going to a store.