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Senate Set To Allow States To Collect Sales Tax On Internet Purchases

Bipartisanship (noun)--When Democrats and Republicans join together to take your money and/or freedom.

"Now's the time for Congress to act," [Sen. Mike] Enzi [R, WY] said Monday. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., added that it's "time to have a national program to collect this sales tax."

eBay CEO John Donahoe Sunday began rallying users of the auction site against S.743, saying in an e-mail that: "This legislation treats you and big multi-billion dollar online retailers -- such as Amazon -- exactly the same... Those fighting for this change refuse to acknowledge that the burden on businesses like yours is far greater than for a big national retailer."

Taxpayer advocates say Enzi's amendment amounts to a multibillion dollar tax hike on American consumers that shouldn't be rushed into law without a single hearing (S.743 was introduced last week). The National Taxpayers Union set up a petition to Congress saying: "I do not want to be made vulnerable to out-of-state tax collectors." Last month, 15 conservative groups sent a letter to members of Congress saying an Internet tax law is "is bad news for conservative principles and the cause of limited government."

Supporters of the proposal (mainly brick and mortar retailers and big online sellers like Amazon) say it's unfair that online sellers have a price advantage over stores that sell in person.

Naturally politicians and heavily vested business interests think the way to address this "inequity" is to increase taxes on individuals. Another way of looking at is...tough.

Reason columnist Veronique de Rugy and her Mercatus Center colleague Adam Thierer have also noted that The Marketplace Fairness Act is premised on the idea that "the the government should be able to collect the maximum amount of tax revenue from citizens, and that consumers should not be able to decide where to shop based on tax levels." They actually present a different way of thinking about the sales tax issue that deserves more attention.

Tax competition is a good and healthy thing, as it helps to spur innovation in both the public and private sectors and enhances various "experiments in living" different jurisdictions and communities want to pursue. Residents benefit from being able to choose among different attitudes toward the level of taxation and (one presumes) the level of public services they pay for.

We aren't citizens anymore, we're simply an endless supply of revenue for the all important state. You can and will have to do with less but the government and those that depend upon it never will.

Posted by: DrewM. at 10:38 AM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1st

Posted by: ALH at April 23, 2013 10:40 AM (yAPdC)

2 "Now's the time for Congress to act," -How is it that these words are always followed by something that makes me want to claw my own eyes out?

Posted by: The Obsidian Owl at April 23, 2013 10:41 AM (tWmgi)

3 Reading this comment incurs a 8.75% fee to the New York Department of Revenue.

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 10:41 AM (MMC8r)

4 Max Baucus will retire. Open seat for the GOP to lose.

Posted by: joncelli at April 23, 2013 10:41 AM (RD7QR)

5 And from I understand they are rushing this piece of shit thru with out the usually committee hearings and debate

Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 23, 2013 10:41 AM (9Bj8R)

6 3
Reading this comment incurs a 8.75% fee to the New York Department of Revenue.

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 10:41 AM (MMC8r)

Is that a one-time fee, or is it recurring?

Posted by: The Obsidian Owl at April 23, 2013 10:42 AM (tWmgi)

7 Congress should get over it. We're Taxed Enough Already.

Posted by: ALH at April 23, 2013 10:42 AM (yAPdC)

8 The way to look at this is not as a penalty on businesses, but as the government deciding that WE, the consumers, are getting away with something.

This is targeting US.

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 10:42 AM (MMC8r)

9 2 TOO,
Their summer recess can't come soon enough.

Posted by: Joey Tenebris (noob) at April 23, 2013 10:43 AM (jXIIY)

10 zsasz at April 23, 2013 10:42 AM

Of course you're getting away with something, you have our money.

Your betters in the Gov't.

Posted by: Flyguy at April 23, 2013 10:44 AM (35x9C)

11 9
2 TOO,

Their summer recess can't come soon enough.

Posted by: Joey Tenebris (noob) at April 23, 2013 10:43 AM (jXIIY)

Agreed. Their words and deeds continually give me the impression that they bicker and moan for 75% of the time and play Duck, Duck, Goose, in their respective chambers the other 25%.

Posted by: The Obsidian Owl at April 23, 2013 10:44 AM (tWmgi)

12 Welcome to my world. New Yorkistan has been taxing internet sales for several years now.

Posted by: BlueStateRebel at April 23, 2013 10:45 AM (7ObY1)

13
26 F'ing Repub Senators voted to move this along.

Every one of those should be primaried. Same if it gets to the House.

Republican Party - Minority Party Forever Baby (tm)

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 23, 2013 10:45 AM (jKWYf)

14 What's the over/under on the GOP bringing up that "transparency" thing again?

Posted by: Flyguy at April 23, 2013 10:45 AM (35x9C)

15 Can I just say that I look forward to the day that Bloomberg gets his neck stretched...look up Benevolent Dictator in the dictionary and its his smug mug.

Posted by: H Badger at April 23, 2013 10:46 AM (n/0Nw)

16 I'm sure there will be an exemption for those ordering from Amazon using their EBT card.

Posted by: Jack Nine at April 23, 2013 10:46 AM (nsg2T)

17 re: "say it's unfair that online sellers have a price advantage"

That's the whole point to capitalism. You have some circumstance that gives you a lower cost to produce the product or service. That's what drives prices lower and profits higher, and it rewards innovation and technology advancement.

this 'unfair price advantage' is right out of Ayn Rand's 'Atlas Shrugged' where it was called the 'anti dog eat dog' legislation.

Posted by: Skandia Recluse at April 23, 2013 10:47 AM (WFVKT)

18
Amazon is so stupid on this also. How they cannot realize their business will fall is mind boggling.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 23, 2013 10:47 AM (jKWYf)

19 "Bipartisanship (noun)--When Democrats and Republicans join together to take your money and/or freedom. ... 'Now's the time for Congress to act,' [Sen. Mike] Enzi [R, WY] said Monday."

The subject of these Internet sales taxes came up earlier in Gabe's morning thread.

Several regulars here noted that they are making a living out of small Internet based businesses, and that if bills like this become law, and their tax and compliance burdens rocket upward, they're going to have to fold their tents.

My head. It explodes.

There are those on the right, like Glenn Reynolds, who have a particular schtick. It goes like this. "Sure, we know that thanks to dopey liberal policies, many traditional economic avenues have been closed off to ordinary Americans. But hey presto, all you have to do is pursue nontraditional avenues like selling via the Internet!"

Lovely concept. Just one problem. The same gang of leftist shitweasels who ruined the traditional economy with their dopey policies are, slowly but steadily, throttling off all of the nontraditional economic avenues as well, with more dopey policies.

We expect leftist shitweasels to do that. What's totally infuriating is having the "conservative" GOP routinely collaborate with the left on it, to be "bipartisan".

More dopey regulation. More dopey taxes. More dopey government giveaways.

DO NOT WANT.

DO NOT FUCKING WANT!!!

How hard is it for the GOP to get the message on this?

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 10:47 AM (gqT4g)

20 I also sometimes envision Congress as a nightmarishly twisted meeting of the Little Rascals in a Capitol Hill Treehouse.

"We need more money, right gang?"

"And How!"

"Let's go take it from the poor mooks on the playground!"

"That's a Swell Idea, Spanky!"

Posted by: The Obsidian Owl at April 23, 2013 10:47 AM (tWmgi)

21
We need to return to the days of Tar, Feather and Rail.
These fucking scumbags in DC are no different than the fuckingmafia.

Posted by: garrett at April 23, 2013 10:48 AM (oY99c)

22 >>18

Amazon is so stupid on this also. How they cannot realize their business will fall is mind boggling.<<


They are going to sell software to all the little companies like mine that will need to comply with this abortion. They will get a cut of every sale we make.

Posted by: Muad'dib at April 23, 2013 10:48 AM (KjlbF)

23 I can hardly wait till Congress gives us a bill (which Barky will promptly sign into law) that allows prices to be set by the government so Amazon Walmart won't have an unfair advantage over over your local merchant. Mind you, I have nothing against fair competition, but...

Posted by: mallfly at April 23, 2013 10:49 AM (bJm7W)

24 "We must do something..." says the self serving politician.

Posted by: Hand Solo at April 23, 2013 10:49 AM (QaFiC)

25 We're merely sheep to be shorn.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at April 23, 2013 10:49 AM (IDSI7)

26 I didn't even look but I bet my RINO Senator Burr voted for it. ?

Posted by: jj at April 23, 2013 10:49 AM (gWO5X)

27 The Senate is f@#$ked.

What is the chance of this actually passing into law via the House?

Posted by: looking closely at April 23, 2013 10:50 AM (YpVHs)

28 "We're going to suspend your rights to protest, bear arms, privacy, and trial by jury."
"Why?"
"To protect you from terrorists."
"Why do we need to be protected from terrorists?"
"Because they hate you for your freedom."

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at April 23, 2013 10:51 AM (ZPrif)

29
Another progressive action for the betterment of the collective...
T.E.A....

Posted by: Tom-Pa at April 23, 2013 10:51 AM (itpzb)

30 I just called one of my Senators and got through without a wait. Their phones should be busy this morning. In addition to the objections on the merits I complained not considering the issue under normal order. Why does everything have to be railroaded through the Senate now?

Posted by: Fritz (Not Fritz) at April 23, 2013 10:51 AM (U0t2o)

31 Mike Enzi? shit. So much for a Wyoming conservative. We're so fooked.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Assault CAD Monkey at April 23, 2013 10:51 AM (K+mtQ)

32 We favor an internet sales tax.

Posted by: Tax-free Salem, NH at April 23, 2013 10:51 AM (z9HTb)

33 Bur the bill says it's all about "fairness".


But first they will blow me

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 10:52 AM (53z96)

34
I sense a lawsuit coming from states like Mt that have no sales tax...

them lawyers gotta eat, same as worms.

Posted by: garrett at April 23, 2013 10:52 AM (Z04j3)

35
First off, this is only for internet stores that do over $1 million a year in sales.

There will be little to no extra paperwork, as the internet storefront hosting companies will have all the taxes for states and localities in their system. Payment is made directly to the single-point state agency, so most store operators will never see the transaction or have to do anything to comply with the law.

On the bright side, it's a good prelude to the Fair Tax Plan.

Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 10:52 AM (u2a4R)

36 First thing I do if this becomes law is cancel my Amazon Prime membership. WTG Amazon!

Posted by: Gozer the Gozerian at April 23, 2013 10:52 AM (K4AdI)

37 This enterprise- killer needs to be stopped. I don't even know how to begin a tax revolt but I can't imagine there is really broad public support for this, or that it is good for business or even revenue for that matter. In fact, go back to blocking any state tax on internet sales.

Posted by: SarahW at April 23, 2013 10:52 AM (LYwCh)

38 Well just hung up on the national GOP again.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 23, 2013 10:52 AM (a8E3N)

39 I hate Dick Durbin with the heat of a thousand suns. I would love to see him next to Bloomberg on the gallows. Thieving bastards, the whole lot of them.

Posted by: chiefjaybob at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (b0dxN)

40
18 -

I think Amazon knows this will kill their partner retailers, the little ones who (from their perspective) leech off them. I'm pretty sure their success is causing them more trouble than it's worth.

Such is the state of capitalism in this age, when success means government assistance is desired, sought, and granted, in order to squish competition, even if it's competition from your supposed partners.

Posted by: BurtTC at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (TOk1P)

41 Enzi will be next to retire. Fu$%ing RINO Scum. GOP Senate has become worthless

GOP raising taxes to please their big corp overlords.
House cannot pass this. Taxes are the Republican's best winning issue.

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (KLJRT)

42 28, I like that logic.

anyway, I don't know what the problem is. Didn't Joe Biden already tell us that paying taxes is patriotic? (I'm not sure if that was before or after we were told that "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." I presume Charlie Rangel endorses at least one of those positions.)

Posted by: mallfly at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (bJm7W)

43 Hold on.........I think the problem is we are not taking this concept far enough.

So, small on line retailers have an advantage over brick and morter and large online retailers. So to make things equal, we have to impose more taxes. Fine.

Faster men have an advantage over slower men in athletics.......so lets tax the faster people.

Smarter people have an advantage over dumber people so tax the smart.

Graduates of Ivy League Schools have an advantage over people who do not graduate from Ivy League Schools, so lets tax the living hell out of the degree from Harvard.........

wait, I can get behind that last one. Lets call it the Asshole Tax.

Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (OWjjx)

44 Liz Cheney was talking about running for Mike Enzi's seat if he opted to retire.

It doesn't look like he's retiring. Goddamnit.

Wonder if Liz is up for primarying Enzi?

I don't know enough about WY politics to know if that would work. I do know that WY is a pretty small place. And unfortunately prone to, for various reasons, regularly re-electing Republicans who are not exactly conservative (cough) Alan Simpson (cough).

Plus, having Liz Cheney and Ted Cruz in the Senate at the same time would be dangerous. It would run the risk of creating a critical mass of awesome. Who knows what might happen? It could rip the space-time continuum or something.

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (gqT4g)

45 Do they tax bartering? Let's say someone were to host a site overseas that allowed you to buy "chits" (could be anything, lock washers on a pallet in Bermuda let's say), then trade the "chits" to someone for goods, then convert the "chits" back to currency, would it work? I don't care if it violates the spirit of the law, as long as it doesn't violate the letter.

No sir, money never changed hands. I just got two boxes of diapers for a couple boxes of lock washers.

Posted by: Lemmenkainen, Freelance Warlord at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (ZWvOb)

46 Do you think the MSM will bill this as "Taxation Without Representation"? Because it looks an awful lot like that to me. But then again, when is the last time the media actually called something what it was?

Posted by: Flyguy at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (35x9C)

47
What is the chance of this actually passing into law via the House?

Its filled with tax and spend republicans, so I would say pretty good.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 23, 2013 10:54 AM (jKWYf)

48 Conservative radio says GOP governors are behind net sales tax

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 10:54 AM (KLJRT)

49 What I find hilarious about all of this is that it's an admission that citizens won't pay the tax themselves. Use tax, anyone?


I once had to explain to a client that got a five figure tax bill from the state that, yes, you did too have to pay the state taxes when you bought all those cigarettes from the reservation. All those people from NY who came to PA to buy clothes without sales tax? Guess what, you're supposed to pay that tax to the state when you get home. No one does it and thus the burden is being shifted back to the retailers.


I'll be over them nomming the hell out of the popcorn and watching everyone scream about it.


Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 10:54 AM (VtjlW)

50 To purchase an untaxed pressure-cooker is an affront to Congress.

Posted by: t-bird at April 23, 2013 10:55 AM (FcR7P)

51
"I sense a lawsuit coming from states like Mt that have no sales tax..."

Who is going to sue? The buyers who live in Montana who aren't paying any sales tax (and won't be paying any with this law in effect) or the retailers who will barely notice that portion of the transaction in their monthly statements?

Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 10:55 AM (u2a4R)

52 WH endorses internet sales tax as Harry the pederast rushes it through.
No shit. Is there any tax that the SBOs do not endorse? I predict this
will slide through like shit through a goose. Hopefully it will not take
long before Amazon runs it back to the Supremes and we will see if the
much vaunted “stare decisis” works in the conservative direction.


This bill was written by Wesley Mouch

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 10:55 AM (53z96)

53 Amazon is pushing this bullshit because they're going to sell the software to calculate this crap AND they're already planning to have one or more delivery hubs in all states, which will require them to collect tax in the entire US.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 10:55 AM (+x8q5)

54 Fuckers... here take it all.

Posted by: BofA account #07418-00479 at April 23, 2013 10:55 AM (pjusE)

55 Miss Marple, Fox just said this bill exempts people not clearing $1M per year.

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 10:56 AM (53z96)

56
I just called one of my Senators and got through without a wait. Their
phones should be busy this morning. In addition to the objections on the
merits I complained not considering the issue under normal order. Why
does everything have to be railroaded through the Senate now?

--

That's just it. The phones aren't as busy as they should be because this kind of shit is rammed and railroaded through before the average American even knows it's happening. I'm sure the Pederast thought the time was nigh with the Boston diversion to ram this through out of the blue. Perfect opportunity.

And yes, I am one of the very small internet business owners who will likely fold my 10 year old business. I hate these fuckers. As for the House R's saving us? I don't trust a single one of them. We are doomed. We have no representation. None.

Posted by: Lady in Black at April 23, 2013 10:56 AM (3V9LU)

57 On the bright side, it's a good prelude to the Fair Tax Plan.
Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 10:52 AM (u2a4R)

Yeah, that'll get passed right after The Burning Times.

Posted by: HoboJerky, now with 74% more DOOM! at April 23, 2013 10:56 AM (FsUAO)

58 Leviathan never sleeps, and can never be sated.

Fuck every last one of these cocksuckers voting for yet more forced taxation and government intrusion.

Posted by: GnuBreed at April 23, 2013 10:56 AM (ccXZP)

59
>>Lets call it the Asshole Tax.

Keep your laws off my body!

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at April 23, 2013 10:56 AM (Z04j3)

60 47. Guy, same with Amnesty. If Boehner blows off the Haesert Rule on taxes, the GOP will lose the House

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 10:57 AM (KLJRT)

61 Harry Reid is the most evil man in D.C., and the Senate GOP want to give him and Obama a victory?

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (KLJRT)

62 And from I understand they are rushing this piece of shit thru with out the usually committee hearings and debate
Posted by: Nevergiveup at April 23, 2013 10:41 AM (9Bj8R)



Ahem. RTFBYMFMF.


Someone in the morning thread suggested just using template legislation that says we hereby grant X money to Agency Y to implement regulations enforcing Thing Z. I'm stealing that because it's how things actually work now.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (VtjlW)

63 What I find hilarious about all of this is that it's an admission that citizens won't pay the tax themselves. Use tax, anyone?

Same situation here in Illinois. Have lots of clients who buy tons over in Missouri. Lower sales tax. Supposed to report the difference on their Illinois state return and yes, pay the difference.

In 3 years I have had 1......yes 1, client actually report their out of state purchases. And only because it was too big to not disclose.

Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (OWjjx)

64 What I find hilarious about all of this is that it's an admission that citizens won't pay the tax themselves. Use tax, anyone?

---

Few people know or care about use tax.

I know about it because of who I work for, but I am also extremely picky about what I buy and from where as a result.


Buying coffee, water filters, and other small stuff off of Amazon? Not an issue.

Trying to buy something big, in the multi-thousand range, in another state? Not so much because Lexus / Nexus is used as a research tool for these kinds of purchases.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (+x8q5)

65 What is the chance of this actually passing into law via the House?



Posted by: looking closely at April 23, 2013 10:50 AM (YpVHs)


It blew by the cloture firewall in the Senate like it wasn't even there. The RINOs and Mobies here are behind it 4 square.

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (53z96)

66 Do you think the MSM will bill this as "Taxation Without Representation"?

Is there anyone here who actually has a representative in Washington? I don't even have one at the town level, let alone county, state, or federal.

Posted by: t-bird at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (FcR7P)

67 Maybe the congress will stop it?

I'm out for a few days, Later rons.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet is no longer shamelessly hawking his book Amy Lynn available on amazon. at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (l86i3)

68 By the same logic, if I have a mortgage, two car notes, a college loan, and seven maxed out credit cards, I should go to my boss and demand a raise, as I cannot seem to be able to balance my personal budget.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (qx7YW)

69 Congressional ticks.

Posted by: Y-not is running out of blood at April 23, 2013 10:58 AM (5H6zj)

70 The name of this law should be

"We've got ours so we are pulling the ladder up Act"

Since all it does is impose costs on small enterprises which are hard to absorb but large enterprises are willing to pay to stifle competition.

Posted by: Buzzsaw at April 23, 2013 10:59 AM (wrS2o)

71 And since Amazon is pushing it also the chances of it making to the Supremes is just about NIL. It cost too much money for some low budge Internet outfit to push this crap.

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 10:59 AM (53z96)

72 Brick and mortar retailers don't understand (or don't want to understand) that the reason people buy online isn't because of the lack of sales tax. That's typically offset by people paying shipping on the item. The biggest advantage comes from the fact that I can buy a $20 item online for $15. Even if they taxed it, I would still be paying less tax than buying it in a store. And programs like Amazon Prime mean that I pay a fee to not pay shipping each time. It doesn't take very many transactions to cover the cost of that.

What about items I can't get in a store? Online retailers aren't competing with anyone for those items. What business am I hurting by buying those items without paying tax?

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at April 23, 2013 10:59 AM (Gkhxf)

73 "Amazon is pushing this bullshit because they're going to sell the
software to calculate this crap AND they're already planning to have one
or more delivery hubs in all states, which will require them to collect
tax in the entire US."

This.

AMZN said, about California sales taxes, "No, no, a thousand times no!" while throwing themselves down dramatically on the fainting couch.

While in reality all the while they were quietly building up a distribution hub network internal to CA. As soon as they had that ready to go, their resistance to collecting state sales taxes suddenly went away. They were just cynically gaming the system in the meantime.

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 11:00 AM (gqT4g)

74 Safe trip there OSP.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at April 23, 2013 11:00 AM (a8E3N)

75
>>Fox just said this bill exempts people not clearing $1M per year.

Anyone who believes this won't be adjusted down to increase revenues is smoking crack.

Posted by: garrett at April 23, 2013 11:00 AM (Z04j3)

76 65 What is the chance of this actually passing into law via the House?



Posted by: looking closely at April 23, 2013 10:50 AM (YpVHs)


It blew by the cloture firewall in the Senate like it wasn't even there. The RINOs and Mobies here are behind it 4 square.

---

Related question -

Did the Senate perform the right Kabuki ritual to claim that the tax originated in the House?

If not, it COULD get declared unconstitutional if it actually passes, but it depends on what side of the bed John Roberts got up on that morning.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:00 AM (+x8q5)

77
Just let us put the tip in.

Posted by: US Senate at April 23, 2013 11:01 AM (Z04j3)

78
"You can and will have to do with less but the government and those that depend upon it never will. "
Welcome to the greater DC area, where existing home values continue to climb while time on market continues to fall.
Whaddya mean "it's not like that everywhere else"?

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:01 AM (lbiWb)

79 >>There will be little to no extra paperwork, as the internet storefront
hosting companies will have all the taxes for states and localities in
their system. Payment is made directly to the single-point state agency,
so most store operators will never see the transaction or have to do
anything to comply with the law.<<


Jeebus Lord you are stupid. How am I going get the magic info in my website? By paying Amazon or some other company for the software and dynamic updates that come with things like this. The transactions DO NOT go directly to the state agencies. I have to file sales tax returns monthly, quarterly, semi annually or annually, depending on the taxing authority. Then I have to send the payments. I also have to set up a system to manage sales tax exemption forms for entities that are tax exempt in their state - rules are different for every state. Also, products we sell in some states will be taxable but not taxable in others. Finally, I will have at least 46 new tax authorities that now have the right to audit me. Sales tax audits happen all the time. My last one took 4 full days. I will have to hire a full time person to deal with all the paperwork that theoretical sooper geniuses like you say don't exist.



Posted by: Muad'dib at April 23, 2013 11:01 AM (KjlbF)

80 Another day, another bipartisan government cornholing. So, how do Dems and Reps differ exactly? Other than some differences in social policy, not at all.

Posted by: Motorhead at April 23, 2013 11:01 AM (1FCU7)

81 35
First off, this is only for internet stores that do over $1 million a year in sales.
====

TODAY the line is drawn at $1mm, but we all know goddamn well that once an internet tax is in place, its going to be applied to all sellers eventually.

That's just a question of time. . .and "fairness".

Posted by: looking closely at April 23, 2013 11:01 AM (YpVHs)

82 Drew a rare example of you and I in absolute agreement.

of course resident genius JWest explains that "yes though this ONE MORE TAX is bad" we "need it" because 'fair"....

uh "yeah"

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:01 AM (LRFds)

83 If not, it COULD get declared unconstitutional if it actually passes, but it depends on what side of the bed John Roberts got up on that morning.

He can just claim it's a healthcare plan.

Posted by: t-bird at April 23, 2013 11:02 AM (FcR7P)

84 43

Diana Moon-Glampers approves this message.

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 11:02 AM (MMC8r)

85 2 the Obsidian Owl,

because BOHICA baby....

the GOP House is on its way to destroying itself if it passes this piece of shit.

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:02 AM (LRFds)

86 We don't have that in stock, but we can order it for you.

Posted by: Brick and Mortar Retailer at April 23, 2013 11:02 AM (Z04j3)

87 TOPFOPS....tired of paying for other people's ....stuff

Posted by: Bret at April 23, 2013 11:02 AM (RsS22)

88 First off, this is only for internet stores that do over $1 million a year in sales.

1. Doesn't matter, its wrong for free enterprise.
2. Govts do not need more taxes, they need less spending.
3. that $1 million will lower over time, or be inflated away.
4. This is the reason Amazon and Wal-Mart want it, Protection from Competition. They want a govt protected monopoly. It eventually hurts all consumers.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 23, 2013 11:02 AM (jKWYf)

89
#72,
Shhhh. There are plenty who don't want to admit the obvious. I mean, who doesn't want to pay for space, dolts in blue shirts, and dusty shelves?

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (lbiWb)

90 "Miss Marple, Fox just said this bill exempts people not clearing $1M per year."

Camel's nose. Tent. Some assembly required.

Once they have the camel's nose under the tent, with the legal and technical infrastructure in place for Internet sales tax, they'll steadily ratchet down the thresholds until you won't be able to sell so much as a used flea collar without the government taking its slice.

Which is the way these things ALWAYS HAVE WORKED IN THE PAST.

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (gqT4g)

91 "Now's the time for Congress to act," -How is it that these words are always followed by something that makes me want to claw my own eyes out?


Makes me put one hand on my wallet & the other hand covering my asshole.

Posted by: rickb223 at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (GFM2b)

92 83 T-bird,

well functionally it is a suppository! It's a health care plan!

//John Iscariot Roberts

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (LRFds)

93 First off, this is only for internet stores that do over $1 million a year in sales.

First, we needed higher income taxes on the rich making a million dollars a year or more.

Then, rich got redefined to be $500,000.

Then, it got redefined again to $250,000

I believe the current standard is $200,000.

So, yea, if history teaches us anything...........

Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (OWjjx)

94 Haha, remember when states were their own entities? That was hilarious back in the day! When it was actually different living in Texas than in Rhode Island!

What a funny world it must have been!

I'm so glad we're heading toward the French model of Directorates. The president tells the governors what to do, and the governors tell the mayors what to do, and the mayors can tell us what to do! How simple things will be!


AAAAARRRRGHH

Posted by: Truman North at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (CfSes)

95 but it depends on what side of the bed John Roberts got up on that morning.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:00 AM (+x8q5)

Well, Obama is a left side sleeper, so we should be able to it out.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (/WLC3)

96 72 Brick and mortar retailers don't understand (or don't want to understand) that the reason people buy online isn't because of the lack of sales tax. That's typically offset by people paying shipping on the item. The biggest advantage comes from the fact that I can buy a $20 item online for $15. Even if they taxed it, I would still be paying less tax than buying it in a store. And programs like Amazon Prime mean that I pay a fee to not pay shipping each time. It doesn't take very many transactions to cover the cost of that.

---

This.

I have both Amazon Prime and Best Buy Silver Rewards, so I pay nothing for 2-day shipping on about 95% of the stuff I purchase from them.

It comes down to which is a better deal, regardless of tax paid to Best Buy, since both are convenient for me and I do a lot of business with both.

As an example, I recently bought water filters for my fridge on Amazon. The cost was $30, with free shipping, on an item with a list price of $40. I didn't get it immediately, but it saved me from paying probably $12+ more per filter if I'd bought them at Home Depot, where they would assuredly have been at list price and with tax.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:03 AM (+x8q5)

97 ...figure....

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 23, 2013 11:04 AM (/WLC3)

98 Meanwhile, the MarcoPhone (that truthful attack that Gabe jumped in to kneecap) is still in there and was--surprise--true.

Anyone
within 100 miles of the border who "lacks cellular service"(Note well,
not "lacks _access_ to cellular service" merely "lacks cellular
service") qualifies for a free phone, paid for by you.

And you
know damned good and well that "lacks" under government welfare rules is
always--ALWAYS--defined, at a bare minimum, as 125% of the
federal poverty level.

So, if you report (N.B. again, "report")
income (which definition specifically exclude any and all government
benefits you are already getting, e.g. food stamps) of less than 125% of
poverty level and you "can't afford" a cellular phone, under Rubio's
Amnesty bill, illegal immigrants (not you, no you get to pay for it)
will get a free phone from the federal government.

But, that's only for now, once passed, the responsible agency will expand "border" to include "anywhere in the United States."

Posted by: RoyalOil at April 23, 2013 11:04 AM (VjL9S)

99 The suckage continues on a daily basis. Will this pass in the House?

About 10 years ago I bought several thousand dollars worth of Nikon gear online. Tax free, just shipping. Saved a shitload of money.

Lord, how I despise government.

Posted by: Jones in CO at April 23, 2013 11:04 AM (8sCoq)

100 Shit like this started a war here a couple of centuries ago. It ended badly for the taxers.

Posted by: Roy at April 23, 2013 11:04 AM (VndSC)

101 #79, that'll leave a mark...

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:04 AM (lbiWb)

102
Shennanigans.


There isnt a brick and mortar retailer that doesnt have a web shopping portal, that I can think of.



Sheep to be shorn.


Posted by: fixerupper at April 23, 2013 11:04 AM (nELVU)

103 Did the Senate perform the right Kabuki ritual to claim that the tax originated in the House?



If not, it COULD get declared unconstitutional if it actually
passes, but it depends on what side of the bed John Roberts got up on
that morning.

Posted by: at April 23, 2013 11:00 AM (+x8q5)


This is not a "federal tax" so that requirement does not apply, not to mention that they ignore it anyway. Besides, it has already been declared unconstitutional in the past. They have already proven that they don't give a shit about that too with the stupid gun free school zone law and violence against women law.

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 11:05 AM (53z96)

104 68 vashta Narada,

or maybe we can all get the recipe for free money from Timmy Turboa nd Choppa Benny

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:05 AM (LRFds)

105
45 -

Your lock washers sound awfully similar to tea.

You'll buy your lock washers from us, and you'll like it!

Subject.

Posted by: George III at April 23, 2013 11:05 AM (TOk1P)

106 #94 An Olive Garden, Applebee's andLong John Silver's in every state. Conform or die.

Posted by: Fourth Virginia at April 23, 2013 11:05 AM (wbmaj)

107 "Rich" means "someone making $10,000 a year more than an Obama voter"

See how sticky that can get?

Posted by: Truman North at April 23, 2013 11:06 AM (CfSes)

108 The self-immolation of the GOP, and their unlamented relegation to history's ash-bin, continues apace, I see.

But remember, you have to keep voting Republican or else your taxes are going to go up.

LIB.

Posted by: DocJ at April 23, 2013 11:06 AM (A5uiv)

109 106 #94 An Olive Garden, Applebee's andLong John Silver's in every state. Conform or die.

---

I actually wouldn't mind a LJS in my state... I love deep-fried cod and haven't been able to get it regularly since the one Captain D's in my area went bust.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:06 AM (+x8q5)

110 Let me tell you how it will be

There's one for you, nineteen for me

'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman



Should five per cent appear too small

Be thankful I don't take it all

'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman



If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,

If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.

If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,

If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for

If you don't want to pay some more

'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman



Now my advice for those who die

Declare the pennies on your eyes

'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

And you're working for no one but me.

~ "The Taxman" by The Beatles

Posted by: Josef at April 23, 2013 11:07 AM (c1scD)

111 Lady Boy is on Fox campaigning again.

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 11:07 AM (53z96)

112 This "Fairness" bill is just another shit sandwich brought to you by the evil elites.

I'm glad the tiny (tax-free) state of Delaware is my next door neighbor.

Posted by: kallisto at April 23, 2013 11:07 AM (jm/9g)

113 and it all goes back to the Repubs choosing Boehner to be in charge.

Posted by: mallfly at April 23, 2013 11:07 AM (bJm7W)

114 107
Bingo.

Also, Veronique de Rugy sounds like an Ayn Rand heroine.

Posted by: rickl at April 23, 2013 11:08 AM (zoehZ)

115 Cocksuckers all.

O/T: Immigration reform could be bonanza for Democrats


Politico

Posted by: Jeff Bezos' Aching Anus at April 23, 2013 11:08 AM (Cs2tJ)

116 I'd like to observe that the direct election of Senators is the only thing that delays this.

I don't think that Internet providers have a price advantage simply because of shipping. It's the brick-and-mortars who also have a web presence, like WalMart and Target that do the best.

What they're really complaining about is the inability to have loss-leaders. If you don't have to show up, you can't be upsold.

The principle of a state having to be able to collect its own sales tax is rational, but this will be a mess, at the wrong time and swimming against a technological tide.

Posted by: AmishDude at April 23, 2013 11:08 AM (xSegX)

117 #109 I long for the days of "Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips!" Jesus, does anyone remember Arthur Treacher?

Posted by: Fourth Virginia at April 23, 2013 11:08 AM (wbmaj)

118 "Shit like this started a war here a couple of centuries ago. It ended badly for the taxers."

A couple of centuries ago, America had to deal with an occupying army, British redcoats.

Today, America has a different occupying army, the Free Shit Army. Composed of both foreign and domestic elements.

The British redcoats couldn't vote in colonial America. The FSA get to vote early and often.

So, no, the two situations aren't really comparable.

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 11:08 AM (gqT4g)

119 I only get charged taxes when I buy things online, have been for as long s I cn remember. How will this change things?

Posted by: Baldy at April 23, 2013 11:08 AM (opS9C)

120 45
Do they tax bartering? Let's say someone were to host a site overseas
that allowed you to buy "chits" (could be anything, lock washers on a
pallet in Bermuda let's say), then trade the "chits" to someone for
goods, then convert the "chits" back to currency, would it work? I
don't care if it violates the spirit of the law, as long as it doesn't
violate the letter.



No sir, money never changed hands. I just got two boxes of diapers for a couple boxes of lock washers.

Posted by: Lemmenkainen, Freelance Warlord at April 23, 2013 10:53 AM (ZWvOb)

Yes. Most of that's covered in the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility act of 1982.

Posted by: Weirddave at April 23, 2013 11:09 AM (aH+zP)

121 John Boehner is a bleary eyed drunk.

Posted by: Fourth Virginia at April 23, 2013 11:09 AM (wbmaj)

122 Although keeping taxes low is not of universal appeal since many many people don't pay much tax, that was the one issue I thought the GOP could stick on.

Oh well.

Posted by: Truman North at April 23, 2013 11:09 AM (CfSes)

123 so they want to tax the rope we'll hang them with?

Posted by: X at April 23, 2013 11:09 AM (KHo8t)

124 Anyone within 100 miles of the border who "lacks cellular service"...

Count me in! I live within a hundred miles of our western border- the Pacific Ocean. Where do I get my iPhone 5?

Posted by: t-bird at April 23, 2013 11:10 AM (FcR7P)

125 Mrs. DocJ and I are spending the next couple of months fixing/replacing/upgrading/maintenance-ing what we think we'll need to get through the next couple of years and then locking it down.

Only cash (in hand), "coins" (in hand), and "hardware" (within arms reach) from July forward.

Posted by: DocJ at April 23, 2013 11:10 AM (A5uiv)

126 117 4th Virginia,

Yes...




VIRGINIA

9528 Lee Highway

Fairfax, VA 22031

703-591-7037





"you're welcome"

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:10 AM (LRFds)

127 Anyway, the whole point of this bill is not to raise revenue. They know damned good and well it won't raise a single fucking dime of revenue.

No, the point of this bill is to have another list of "crimes" they can charge the law-abiding with if they dare challenge their power.

Joe the Plumber will be everyone now.

So sit down, shut up, and let your betters do what they want.

If the national GOP wasn't really comfortable with the current size, scope and reach of the federal government, they wouldn't be doing anything differently . . . .

Posted by: RoyalOil at April 23, 2013 11:11 AM (VjL9S)

128 Anyone within 100 miles of the border who "lacks cellular service"...

So the entire cities of San Diego, El Paso, Niagara Falls, Detroit, etc...?

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 11:12 AM (MMC8r)

129 126 - less than a mile away from where I am now. Think I'll hit it for lunch today...

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:12 AM (lbiWb)

130 "I'm so glad we're heading toward the French model of Directorates. The
president tells the governors what to do, and the governors tell the
mayors what to do, and the mayors can tell us what to do! How simple
things will be!"

Truman, did you catch the recent piece about the small town French mayor drowning in a constant stream of insane expensive bureaucratic mandates from above? It was poignant and priceless and timeless and funny. And also, since we are going down the same road, scary as hell.

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 11:12 AM (gqT4g)

131 the other solution is don't tax the living shit out of the BM businesses... but there's about as much chance of that occurring as there is of BO ever being called a "Stud" by a Marine.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:12 AM (x3YFz)

132 "Now's the time for Congress to act,"

How's that budget coming along?

Posted by: t-bird at April 23, 2013 11:13 AM (FcR7P)

133
Posted by: Muad'dib at April 23, 2013 11:01 AM (KjlbF)

You must have one amazing self-made internet operation. But even so, if you did go to the trouble of designing your own site, writing all the code to take orders and process payments, I certain that the free market economy will come to your rescue.

One of the hosting companies will certainly have an option for you to run through their billing portal to automatically calculate state and local taxes, pay the proper agency and submit the required forms.

Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 11:13 AM (u2a4R)

134 We're turning completely European now. Complete with tax avoidance without guilt. Stiffing The Man is now your patriotic duty.

Posted by: Dick Cheese at April 23, 2013 11:13 AM (evdj2)

135
#132,
He.
Heheheheheheh.

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:13 AM (lbiWb)

136 but there's about as much chance of that occurring as there is of BO ever being called a "Stud" by a Marine. Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:12 AM (x3YFz)

A year ago I would have taken that bet.

Now, with our new gay-friendly and faaaaaaabulous military....not such a good bet.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (sbV1u)

137 Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., added that it's "time to have a national program to collect this sales tax."

And when a National Sales Tax, or VAT, or whatever get's implemented because the entire infrastructure is already in place as a result of this poop-sandwich the "conservative" GOP is making us all eat, those same political savants will say "nobody could have seen it coming".

Posted by: DocJ at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (A5uiv)

138
Fairness to a politician is seeing one group not getting boned enough. So they pass laws ensuring everyone gets boned more or less the same.

Except themselves when they are excluded from the laws they write. And their donor buddies.

Posted by: ExSnipe at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (PBm/l)

139 Nice to know that an ebook which blips from one server, somewhere, to my reader, in my hand, will have the government coming along for the ride.

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (MMC8r)

140 #126 Damn, I'm hungry!

Posted by: Fourth Virginia at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (wbmaj)

141 133 Jwest,

ah yes...I know that the "intelligent GOP" is doing gangbusters with "fuck them they're rich"

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (LRFds)

142 Another unconstitutional Senate tax bill. I thought that tax legislation was supposed to be drawn up in the House. Another reason to repeal the 17th Amendment.

Posted by: Stan25 at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (N1Gru)

143 84 43 Diana Moon-Glampers approves this message.
Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 11:02 AM (MMC8r)

I actually understood that one. I've also thought about changing my nick to Harrison Bergeron. I've always been a fan of Vonnegut's short stories.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (+/C3g)

144 "It's time for Congress/fed gov't to act......on stealing your 401k/retirement.....national conversation........blahblahblah......taking your guns.....can't wait any longer......blahblah"

Posted by: ghostofhallelujah at April 23, 2013 11:15 AM (XvrTA)

145 You rang?

Posted by: The Black Market at April 23, 2013 11:15 AM (evdj2)

146 Great. Just great. This will put some more nails in my retirement coffin.

Posted by: mama winger, maybe today at April 23, 2013 11:15 AM (P6QsQ)

147
MOAR FAIR

Posted by: 2 x 4 at April 23, 2013 11:15 AM (Z04j3)

148 140 4th VA,

They are prevalent in Canada to a degree, and able to be found.

There's a location at pentagon City in the Potamac Swamp Shithole....

I was in heaven when LJS replicated AT's true london style beer batter.

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:15 AM (LRFds)

149 You rang? Posted by: The Black Market at April 23, 2013 11:15 AM (evdj2)

Rayyyyyyyyyyyyyyycissssssssstttttttt!

Posted by: Typical In-Need-of-Meds Leftard at April 23, 2013 11:16 AM (sbV1u)

150 Amazon is doing this because they're going to be building shipping centers in every state, so they can offer "Same Day Delivery". As they do that, they'll have to collect sales tax for each state they expand that program too. They fought internet sales taxes until they made that business decision, and then they said let's just screw over every other internet business since we'll be paying sales taxes anyway. I love amazon but I hate that they're doing this.

Posted by: Brenden at April 23, 2013 11:16 AM (Wh6B2)

151
"automatically"
Seriously? Did that twit just use that word to describe a system? Autof***inmatically?
Yeah, bc all that data is just "automatically" entered into a variety of systems over a range of times...
fuggetaboutit. Anyone who thinks things are "automatic" believes in the "magik" of the "interwebz" or something. I do wonder how you get dressed in the AM...

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (lbiWb)

152 What about items I can't get in a store? Online retailers aren't competing with anyone for those items. What business am I hurting by buying those items without paying tax?
Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at April 23, 2013 10:59 AM (Gkhxf)



I have one of the coffee pod machines that I really like but I cannot find the pods in any local store because Keurig won that war, at least in the States. However, I can go to Amazon and click click click there you go. When I ordered a few weeks ago, I noticed that the order was not coming directly through Amazon but through one of the vendors who uses Amazon to storefront. Perfectly fine by me even though it wasn't a Prime qualified shipment. Shipping wasn't much at all and I got the stuff and yay miracle of the modern age.


If that vendor had to collect the sales tax that I completely and totally will pay the use tax on, swearsies, I can assure you that the cost of that product would go up because the overhead would go up and hey, you know what, I'm just going to get one of the Keurig machines because it's no longer worth the hassle to order online and have a limited choice when it's expensive and I can walk into almost any store and buy 30+ different kinds of k-cups right then and there. Multiply that by millions of products and there you go.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (VtjlW)

153 Another unconstitutional Senate tax bill. I thought that tax legislation was supposed to be drawn up in the House. Another reason to repeal the 17th Amendment.
Posted by: Stan25 at April 23, 2013 11:14 AM (N1Gru)


I think we're at the point where they don't even have to pretend about the Constitution any more. Oh, they'll trot it out when it serves the ruling class but it's not considered an impediment to anything our masters want/need.

Posted by: ghostofhallelujah at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (XvrTA)

154
Lets say you do $1 million in sales, and you are lucky to make 10% profit. Wahoo, you just quadrupled your govt reporting requirements for your 100K enterprise. $45,000 after all state and federal taxes.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (jKWYf)

155 Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 11:13 AM (u2a4R)

You really don't get the point?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (/WLC3)

156 148 Wex the blunder dog,

Hey Wex you may have missed the fucking memo but there were regulations in place for West, texas...


fuck your super state solutions asshole

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (LRFds)

157 $1mm ceiling?

No problem. . .I'll just list each product on its own web page, and each product will be sold by its own legally registered company.

Add 2 and 2 together, and the $1mm limit won't "stick".

Posted by: looking closely at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (YpVHs)

158 Joke of the day: Crazy ass terroists' mother claims her flattened son is still alive. Maybe they can dump his stinking corpse on her doorstep so that she can get a real good look.

Posted by: Fourth Virginia at April 23, 2013 11:18 AM (wbmaj)

159 O/T: Immigration reform could be bonanza for Democrats


Politico

---

Wish-casting from Politico to a degree.

It will be a bonanza for the Dems if it passes. Obama's intent to get directly involved in the issue, the Boston bombings, and the complete PR fail by Rubio's guys will likely kill it dead though.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:18 AM (+x8q5)

160 Did Rex the Wonder Arse get disappeareded?

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 11:18 AM (MMC8r)

161 >>You must have one amazing self-made internet operation. But even so, if
you did go to the trouble of designing your own site, writing all the
code to take orders and process payments, I certain that the free market
economy will come to your rescue.

One of the hosting companies
will certainly have an option for you to run through their billing
portal to automatically calculate state and local taxes, pay the proper
agency and submit the required forms.<<


The difference between you and me, besides the fact that you are a 'Tard, is that I am really in business - doing this shit for a living. This is all theoretical to you. No, there are no "billing portals" that process payments, file the forms and pay your taxes. I can see you dismissively waving a hand on the end of your oh-so-expressive wrist as you type this.



Can I borrow the Ravage?

Posted by: Muad'dib at April 23, 2013 11:18 AM (KjlbF)

162 TBH3k is in full effect.

Posted by: EC at April 23, 2013 11:18 AM (GQ8sn)

163 Actually, I say, let's do this.

People voted for tax increases when they re-elected Obumbles. So, let's give them higher taxes, good and hard. Time to destroy the myth that it's possible to balance the budget by only taxing "the rich" an itty bitty bit.

Let's go even further. In the interest of "fairness" and "simplicity", all Internet sales should be taxed at a uniform rate, the rate of the jurisdiction with the highest tax rate. Therefore there's no question that at least the correct tax will be paid. Any excess tax collection will go to a national fund entitled "Save Homeless Puppies and Starving Orphans" or something. How can you be opposed to helping homeless orphans and starving puppies?

Oh and don't forget to point out that WalMart *wants* this.

Posted by: chemjeff at April 23, 2013 11:19 AM (vEIeT)

164 "Meanwhile, the MarcoPhone (that truthful attack that Gabe jumped in to kneecap) is still in there and was--surprise--true."

Thank God for Rube-io having overplayed his hand early, and revealed his true colors. It's time to open the betting pool on when Marco completes his "evolution" in true Floridian Charlie Crist style and abruptly switches parties.

Rubio has an aide out there likening illegal immigrants, who came here of their own accord and who can leave of their own accord at any time, to *slaves*. There's a Rubio aide quote out on the wires to the effect that "society is to blame" for the Boston jihadi terror bombings.

Seriously, who on the right in their right mind would ever vote for Rubio after knowing what we now know about the guy?

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 11:19 AM (gqT4g)

165 Oh, and by the way? I just made my last-ever purchase through Amazon.

F/U sideways with a pineapple, Bezos.

Posted by: DocJ at April 23, 2013 11:19 AM (A5uiv)

166 Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (VtjlW)

The technical term is "rent seeking," or in my economics text [Dildo Press, 2014]:

"Cocksucking pieces of shit who will fuck their mothers for another $1 in revenue."

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (/WLC3)

167 Next stop VAT.

Posted by: Eaton Cox at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (+wxCD)

168 I'm just going to get one of the Keurig machines because it's no longer worth the hassle to order online and have a limited choice when it's expensive and I can walk into almost any store and buy 30+ different kinds of k-cups right then and there.

---

Still better to buy them through Amazon as of now.

You end up paying around $1 / K-Cup or higher from most stores but you can go on Amazon and get them for closer to $0.50-0.60 a K-Cup if you order the right sized boxes.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (+x8q5)

169 Do they want evryone to move to Texas?

Posted by: Catseye at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (c7wu3)

170 You really don't get the point? Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 23, 2013 11:17 AM (/WLC3)

You sound surprised by this.

You checked the hash, right?

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (sbV1u)

171 OT: Dudley Dooright or Robert Muller? You decide.

Posted by: Fourth Virginia at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (wbmaj)

172
"Lets say you do $1 million in sales, and you are lucky to make 10% profit"
10% PROFIT? What are you, one of those eeeevil oil companies or something? Anyway, who cares about "profit"? A company exists to pay taxes, wages, and benefits, dontchaknow?

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (lbiWb)

173 163 ChemJeff,

I get where you're coming from brother.

Hell in my darker hours I agree with you CJ I have cut discretionary to the bone....

wife's new laptop and my used truck are my first big purchases since election day.....

I just don't know anymore.

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (LRFds)

174 ChemJeff -

You're trying to kill me aren't you?

Posted by: mama winger, maybe today at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (P6QsQ)

175 Basically Amazon wanted the advantage until it didn't need it any more, and now it wants nobody to have it.

Posted by: zsasz at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (MMC8r)

176 I don't own a business, and I've never even had a job, but I know that this will be really easy for you guys to implement and it won't cost you a cent!

Posted by: jwest, bizness jeenyus at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (ggRof)

177 All those people from NY who came to PA to buy
clothes without sales tax? Guess what, you're supposed to pay that tax
to the state when you get home. No one does it and thus the burden is
being shifted back to the retailers.





I'll be over them nomming the hell out of the popcorn and watching everyone scream about it.







Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 10:54 AM (VtjlW)


Woah woah, so you're telling me that when my wife is on vacation in Delaware to visit her grandmother and goes to the outlet store to buy me some new UnderArmour polos, that I'm then supposed to report the difference in sales tax between Delaware (0%) and Florida (7%)? And then pay it? And to whom would I pay it?


I need some Moron to fill my knowledge gap on this one, cause this is news to me.

Posted by: BCochran1981 at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (da5Wo)

178 The Republican party is committing suicide, this is just another paragraph in the note they intend to leave.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (DuH+r)

179
If Senator Turbin had a brain, he be a rock!

Posted by: burt at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (/QJXp)

180
@168
Wal-Mart 18 packs for around ten or twelve bucks here.

Posted by: Beagle at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (sOtz/)

181 Every state with a sales tax already requires every moron out there to file a use tax report if they made purchases out of state on which no sales tax was collected. It's even been made part of the income tax forms in many states. If you morons ignore it that makes you tax cheaters- and liars too!. That's because if you read the fine print, when you sign your state income tax return you are swearing it is correct under penalties of perjury. I file my use tax return. Do you?

A lot of bricks and mortar operators want this. Price competition is one thing. What really makes them see red are the people who come in to try on or try out their merchandise and waste their staff's time only to then buy the item on-line. That's also a form of cheating.

Posted by: NC Mountain Girl at April 23, 2013 11:22 AM (qZb2P)

182 169 Catseye,

Heh....I want Texas to move to Texas...

170 Sean bannion,

quite...it is like arguing with a wall...a stunted wall but it keeps me off the streets.

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:22 AM (LRFds)

183 You rang?

Posted by: The Black Market at April 23, 2013 11:15 AM (evdj2)

Yup. Alive and well. Welcome to TOR, snail mail, Ghostery, Anonomyx and phone calls. Cash purchases only.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:22 AM (x3YFz)

184 And to whom would I pay it?


You pay me. Make it out to "cash", cause that's my name!

Posted by: EC at April 23, 2013 11:22 AM (GQ8sn)

185
CBD,
When and where will I be able to purchase copies of that (no doubt) fine tome?

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:22 AM (lbiWb)

186 Rubio has an aide out there likening illegal immigrants, who came here of their own accord and who can leave of their own accord at any time, to *slaves*.

---

If they're slaves, then they better come over and mow my lawn for free because I said so.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:22 AM (+x8q5)

187 177 BC1981,

AlexTheChick is largely 100% correct.

No Bullshit.

Ta Da

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:23 AM (LRFds)

188 Allowing taxes on internet sales will in turn give states more room to raise normal sales taxes. I'm against.

Posted by: Serious Cat at April 23, 2013 11:23 AM (UypUQ)

189 You know, I would actually have no problem with this—as long as the location used for determining taxes is the location of the seller, rather than the location of the buyer.

That, of course, would encourage states to lower their sales taxes so as to attract businesses, instead of negating the advantage that no-sales-tax states have in the age of the Internet.

When politicians talk about fairness, it’s not about some businesses having to charge sales tax and others not. It’s about sales-tax states having to compete for business with states that choose not to burden businesses with sales tax regulations. That’s the “unfairness” that they care about.

Posted by: Otter Stream Media at April 23, 2013 11:23 AM (QF8uk)

190 We aren't citizens anymore, we're simply an endless supply of revenue for the all important state.

Denmark repealing tax on soft drinks and beer
http://is.gd/PrsNqC

The tax was about a US dollar for a 1.5-liter bottle of soda. They already repealed their tax on butter, cheese, and other "fatty foods." Turns out they had no effect on obesity, but killed jobs.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at April 23, 2013 11:23 AM (/kI1Q)

191
Anybody get prescriptions by mail? hmmm....your life saving drugs just got taxed.


Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 23, 2013 11:23 AM (jKWYf)

192 1. Amazon is behind this. They lost my business.
2. 15 major anti tax groups are against this bill along with Ebay. There will be no cover for the House GOP to pass this. It is a tax raise now.

3. you have to wonder if GOP is voting for this crap, knowing it dies in the House and they look good by no filibuster.

4. Pat Toomey- Manchin
5. Enzi-Durbin
6. Rubio - Schumer

McCain sucks them all off

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 11:24 AM (KLJRT)

193 Marketplace Fairness my foot! It's suicide, stupid suicide. Going to have to look for sellers in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshireand Oregon I guess. Might be a serious opportunity in this for the smart retailer in those states.

Posted by: and irresolute at April 23, 2013 11:24 AM (DBH1h)

194 A lot of bricks and mortar operators want this.
Price competition is one thing. What really makes them see red are the
people who come in to try on or try out their merchandise and waste
their staff's time only to then buy the item on-line. That's also a form
of cheating.



Posted by: NC Mountain Girl at April 23, 2013 11:22 AM (qZb2P)
------------
One of the problems with that argument is that many people do not sell their stuff in retail stores at all, and only sell online. So we are not competing with them in any way, shape or form.

Posted by: mama winger, maybe today at April 23, 2013 11:24 AM (P6QsQ)

195 180
@168
Wal-Mart 18 packs for around ten or twelve bucks here.

---

Depends on the flavor you want.

The wife loves a specific hot chocolate kind of K-Cup we found in a Keurig sampler box and it was going to be very expensive to get a box of those on their own. We ended up finding a 52-cup box for about $28 online, which was a great deal.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:24 AM (+x8q5)

196 Its your duty as patriotic Americans to pay this tax and all others. Mom, apple pie and taxes on everything. Its the 'merican Way.

Posted by: Teh Sheeple at April 23, 2013 11:24 AM (WyRZF)

197 176
I don't own a business, and I've never even had a job, but I know that
this will be really easy for you guys to implement and it won't cost you
a cent!

Posted by: jwest, bizness jeenyus at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (ggRof)

If you like your shirt, you can keep it.

Posted by: The Obsidian Owl at April 23, 2013 11:24 AM (tWmgi)

198 Works for Me!

Posted by: John Turbo Tax Roberts at April 23, 2013 11:25 AM (WyRZF)

199 181 NC mountain Girl,

No it's a form of "shopping" ma'am you ain't "entitled" to my sale.

I don't buy computers online I may buy components....

I drove 1.5 hours to go to the correct shop at the correct price point for wife's new rig and they got the sale despite my "saving 20 bucks" rolling the dice online...

Barnes and Noble can largely go fuck itself.

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:25 AM (LRFds)

200 When politicians talk about fairness, it’s not about some businesses having to charge sales tax and others not.


No it is about hitting the working people once again and giving it to the FSA. i.e. the looters are still hungry even after the last tax increase.

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 11:25 AM (53z96)

201 Tread lightly, Mom.

Posted by: Zombie Tamerlan Tsarnaev at April 23, 2013 11:25 AM (Z04j3)

202 You checked the hash, right?

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:20 AM (sbV1u)

Oh yes.

It's obtuse. fascinatingly obtuse.

And dumb.


Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 23, 2013 11:25 AM (/WLC3)

203 What really makes them see red are the people who come in to try on or try out their merchandise and waste their staff's time only to then buy the item on-line. That's also a form of cheating.

So, now people will do the exact same thing, and then pay a small amount of tax when they order the still cheaper product on-line.

But we got another law! WOOT!

Posted by: akula51 at April 23, 2013 11:25 AM (Vgn84)

204 If you morons ignore it that makes you tax cheaters- and liars too!. That's because if you read the fine print, when you sign your state income tax return you are swearing it is correct under penalties of perjury. I file my use tax return. Do you?


I don't have a state income tax. Now what?

Posted by: rickb223 at April 23, 2013 11:26 AM (GFM2b)

205 Oh Sock, Oh Sock, OH SOCK!

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at April 23, 2013 11:26 AM (QF8uk)

206 We get this tax next fall in my state anyway because Amazon built a fulfillment center here and surrendered.

Posted by: Knave at April 23, 2013 11:26 AM (cipri)

207 188. Great point. States will increase their sales tax every year, to get more from out of state web sales.

Rush and Levin need to go after GOP Governors(There are 30) on this

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 11:26 AM (KLJRT)

208 It's obtuse. fascinatingly obtuse. And dumb. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at April 23, 2013 11:25 AM (/WLC3)

Right up there in Moo Moo territory I'd say.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:26 AM (sbV1u)

209

..and this is why turnout for Republicans will be historically low in '14

they'll have to learn the hard way, I guess

Posted by: soothsayer at April 23, 2013 11:26 AM (0nyYS)

210 What really makes them see red are the

people who come in to try on or try out their merchandise and waste

their staff's time only to then buy the item on-line.


Are they going to demand the state levy a tax on window-shopping, and people who try on a pair of pants and decide not to purchase because they're uncomfortable?

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at April 23, 2013 11:26 AM (/kI1Q)

211 Can I borrow the Ravage?
Posted by: Muad'dib at April 23, 2013 11:18 AM (KjlbF)



Mais naturellement! Remember, Polly prefers to flank from the right, at least this week.


This whole discussion about systems automatically doing stuff reminds me of when I used to have the immensely fun task of drafting discovery requests and depositions questions regarding document retention programs. (You know how boring you think that is? It's worse.) I swear by the insanity of cthulhu, I actually did use puppets to explain to the lawyers who would be asking the questions that, no, in fact "the computer" did not just automatically delete things. A computer is an inanimate object that runs software that some actual human being somewhere wrote. A human being had to write the code and a human being had to install it and a human being had to enter the data and, most importantly, a human being had to decide what the length of retention would be before the computer ran the code to dump the data. That was what we wanted to know, what human being decided that and why that time period was used. Frankly, it was shocking how many people just started at me blankly when I tried to explain that.


Same thing here. Someone has to write the code and someone has to install the program and someone has to monitor inputs and outputs and someone has to insure that remittances are made correctly. That's a cost and that's an addition to overhead and it's not magick.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (VtjlW)

212 206. What state is that?

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (KLJRT)

213 AlexTheChick is largely 100% adorable correct.

Posted by: garrett at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (Z04j3)

214 #51 jwest, you have no idea what you are talking about. I sell to almost every state in the union plus foreign countries. I do antiques and collectibles and am a small store which sells maybe at most $2000 in a given month. That is not profit, that is sales.

Now, lets say that over the course of a year I collect varying amounts of sales tax on those customers. I will have to keep track of it and pay the appropriate states. Currently I collect only sales tax in my home state. It is MY responsibility to keep track of that and pay my state. eBay does not do it. They simply take the money in and tell me what amount of what they collected was sales tax.

I bought a program to sort this all out from eBay for not only sales tax but purchases of supplies on eBay, eBay fees, and Paypal fees. I also have to show shipping charges as income and then show my shipping expenses, and any amount over gets added to my 1099 as income.

So now imagine all of the varying state and county amounts I will have to collect and pay. My home state amounts collected I can put on my state tax form, since I operate as an individual seller. However, I cannot see how it would be profitable for me to end up filling out 40 or so forms for 40 states and submitting them quarterly. It will be a complete burden and not worth staying in business.

Posted by: Miss Marple at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (GoIUi)

215 What really makes them see red are the people who come in to try on or try out their merchandise and waste their staff's time only to then buy the item on-line. That's also a form of cheating.

---

This has been discussed before.

If Best Buy et all ever end up dying out, it's believed that a lot of the online retailers could pool together for the cost of having a "showroom" in various cities to test out the equipment and then have people make their orders from their preferred e-tailer to have the item delivered.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (+x8q5)

216 Are they going to demand the state levy a tax on window-shopping, and
people who try on a pair of pants and decide not to purchase because
they're uncomfortable?


On King Putt's agenda for 2015, no doubt.

Posted by: DocJ at April 23, 2013 11:28 AM (A5uiv)

217
BCochran1981 - from the Fl Dept. of Revenue:
If an out-of-state seller fails to collect sales tax, it is your responsibility to comply with Florida law. You must submit payment directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. This payment is required by section 212.06(, Florida Statutes. You can file and pay use tax online or complete an Out-of-State Purchase Return (Form DR-15MO). If the tax owed is less than one dollar, you do not have to file a return.
So, pay up motherf***r!!! Those SNAP cards don't refill themselves, you know...

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:28 AM (lbiWb)

218 Fox Reporting that Paul Ryan joining the gang of 8 assholes.


And they have a Howard Dean "consultant" on there saying it would be a good thing for Republicans to approve this amnesty bill.

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 11:28 AM (53z96)

219 We get this tax next fall in my state anyway because Amazon built a fulfillment center here and surrendered.

Indiana? They're already collecting the state sales tax on digital downloads (although I have no idea if the state is actually getting that 7% they're tacking onto my Kindle books).

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at April 23, 2013 11:28 AM (/kI1Q)

220

Good news is the black market* is going to be huge.

*I denounce myself.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at April 23, 2013 11:28 AM (jKWYf)

221 212 Virginia. Amazon built in Chesterfield County IIRC.

Posted by: Knave at April 23, 2013 11:28 AM (cipri)

222 That's a cost and that's an addition to overhead and it's not magick.
Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (VtjlW)


It IS magick! And I should know, as I'm an expert in magical thinking!

Posted by: jwest, bizness jeenyus at April 23, 2013 11:29 AM (ggRof)

223 209. Agree Sooth. GOP loses the House in 2014, if any of Obama's Socialist bills pass.

Why would you vote GOP, if they are willing to raise taxes on a national level?

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 11:29 AM (KLJRT)

224 Same thing here. Someone has to write the code and someone has to install the program and someone has to monitor inputs and outputs and someone has to insure that remittances are made correctly. That's a cost and that's an addition to overhead and it's not magick.

---

Most people outside of IT have no clue about this kind of bullshit.

That's why my agency keeps getting drowned in stupid bullshit because one executive wants a single feature from an upgrade implemented that ends up killing half of what we run until we patch the shit out of it.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:29 AM (+x8q5)

225 However, I cannot see how it would be profitable for
me to end up filling out 40 or so forms for 40 states and submitting
them quarterly. It will be a complete burden and not worth staying in
business.


Posted by: Miss Marple at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (GoIUi)

----------
You are completely correct. This will drive small business operators right out of the market.

Posted by: mama winger, maybe today at April 23, 2013 11:29 AM (P6QsQ)

226 Can I now deduct the shipping and handling charges from my tax filing?
Just another revenue theft by the government in order to fund unnecessary programs and expenditures.

If Amazon is supporting this I hope they lose a great percentage of their business. I will not utilize them any longer.

Posted by: polynikes at April 23, 2013 11:29 AM (m2CN7)

227 and it's not magick.



Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (VtjlW)


LIES!

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:30 AM (x3YFz)

228 213 garret,

heh she is 100% adorable..."m'lady(tugs forelck)"


no seriously Delaware b/c of its nature is "the "largely"...

that's it...

I cheat at taxes all the time...so do most people...

the tax code is designed so you're fucked it is what enabled me to make 17,500 in 4 months work and two months study mes ami...

NOTHING would make me happier than our code and govt modifying itself so I could never type that

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:30 AM (LRFds)

229 Piss on this shit I can't take it anymore. I was ready to throw the remote through my TV. Time to go outside and start yard work even though it is still only 57°


BBT Morons

Posted by: Vic at April 23, 2013 11:30 AM (53z96)

230 Anyone want to bet that Best Buy still goes bankrupt?

Posted by: Knave at April 23, 2013 11:30 AM (cipri)

231 You are completely correct. This will drive small business operators right out of the market.


Posted by: mama winger, maybe today at April 23, 2013 11:29 AM (P6QsQ)


ding ding!

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:31 AM (x3YFz)

232 BCochran1981 - from the Fl Dept. of Revenue:
If
an out-of-state seller fails to collect sales tax, it is your
responsibility to comply with Florida law. You must submit payment
directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. This payment is required
by section 212.06(,
Florida Statutes. You can file and pay use tax online or complete an
Out-of-State Purchase Return (Form DR-15MO). If the tax owed is less
than one dollar, you do not have to file a return.
So, pay up motherf***r!!! Those SNAP cards don't refill themselves, you know...

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:28 AM (lbiWb)


Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!


Sure, I'll pay. But first, the State of Florida will blow me.

Posted by: BCochran1981 at April 23, 2013 11:31 AM (da5Wo)

233 AlexTheChick is largely 100% adorable correct. Posted by: garrett at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (Z04j3)

I can just those tiny little fists of fury going a mile a minute during that explanation session.

*slides a platter of brownies and blondies*

:::: swoon ::::

How else may I serve you my Queen?

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:31 AM (sbV1u)

234 Just got this in my email:

Of the total 44 US Presidents, Obama rated 5th best president ever:

The DNC news release stated, "...after a little more than four years, Americans have rated President Obama the Fifth Best President ever."

The details according to White House publicists:

Reagan, Lincoln, and eight others tied for first,
15 Presidents tied for second,
17 other Presidents tied for third,
Jimmy Carter came in fourth, and,
Obama comes in fifth.

Posted by: Country Singer at April 23, 2013 11:31 AM (L8r/r)

235 Nice snark, but even as a business owner who's now
going to have to remit this tax, I disagree. What you all are saying is
"Thanks for opening up a store in my town, and employing our children
friends and family. We have a lovely gift for you in the form of an
immediate 5-10% price disadvantage over your online competitors."



It's your right to have a knee jerk reaction in the form of
'disliking' another new tax - who doesn't - but it isn't okay to just
hand wave the problem. The problem is 'math.' Push to abolish ALL
sales taxes if that's your take. But there's nothing smart OR fair
about making the local guy pay something the non-local guys don't have
to...

Posted by: JQP at April 23, 2013 07:44 AM (GVL0g)
============Needs to unpack the bullshit and find reality. You "Mom and Pop" with your 20% to 30% markup over online already have an advantage the internet guy doesn't and never will: You are here, nearest to me.

I'd buy from you--but even after shipping and any tax from online--you're still more expensive, by far. And your response is: Make everyone else raise their prices even more!

Posted by: RoyalOil at April 23, 2013 11:31 AM (VjL9S)

236 It will be a complete burden and not worth staying in business.

I'm pretty sure that's the point. Only very large companies will find it worth the expenditure.

(This is where I point out for the millionth time that we're a Fascist nation.)

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at April 23, 2013 11:32 AM (/kI1Q)

237 230 Anyone want to bet that Best Buy still goes bankrupt?

---

It's a question of when, not if.

I just want to cash out my Reward Zone certs before that happens, since all the purchases run through my credit card generate points.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:32 AM (+x8q5)

238 230 Knave,

they'd go bankrupt by xmas if Fry's put a store in every State's geographic center...

fuck best buy

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:32 AM (LRFds)

239 If we don't tax the fuck out of you, the terrorists have won...

Posted by: The Imperial Senate at April 23, 2013 11:32 AM (FcR7P)

240 Sure, I'll pay. But first, the State of Florida will blow me. Posted by: BCochran1981 at April 23, 2013 11:31 AM (da5Wo)

Ummm....I'd be down with that. You take the upper 2/3ds of the adult age distribution.

I'll take the lower 1/3d.

Well, looks like I've got some packing to do.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:32 AM (sbV1u)

241 Thank Vic. I wish I had read your note before I went off on my long explanation.

However, I do not like this as it seems to me that it will open the door to us smaller retailers getting hit as well, maybe not now but 3-4 years from now.

And it seems to me that this also hurts people in states which do not have a close-by retailer, so they MUST use internet shopping for a lot of things. Seems to me that isn't "fair" either.

Posted by: Miss Marple at April 23, 2013 11:32 AM (GoIUi)

242 Indiana- Republican Governor allows download tax

RINO- McDonnell in Virginia is a tax hiker

WTF?

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 11:32 AM (KLJRT)

243 >>Same thing here. Someone has to write the code and
someone has to install the program and someone has to monitor inputs
and outputs and someone has to insure that remittances are made
correctly. That's a cost and that's an addition to overhead and it's
not magick.



Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:27 AM (VtjlW)<<

Thanks for the Ravage and tip. I'll push the 'Tard on the left flank and bring the toothy one back full and unscratched.
It bothers me a hell of a lot less that commenters on this site don't get what we are saying than it does that our political overlords can't be bothered to learn it before passing laws like this.
BTW, I just did an interpretive dance of rage. One of the my employees asked if I was having a seizure.....

Posted by: Muad'dib at April 23, 2013 11:33 AM (KjlbF)

244
"Best Buy still goes bankrupt"
Yeah, that's pretty much a given these days. I give it five years in it's current form.
"Sure, I'll pay. But first, the State of Florida will blow me."
There's a mental image forming that just isn't good. To stave it off, I'm headed to Arthur Treacher's....
Later, all.

Posted by: Jess1 at April 23, 2013 11:33 AM (lbiWb)

245
Now that the experts have spoke, it's time to get in on the ground floor of businesses that will be helped by this bill.

First, the publishing company who will print paper copies of all the state and locality tax laws and updates, for distribution to all the internet retailers. These businesses will need to run 24/7 to keep up.

Next, the ball point pen industry. When each transaction comes in, a ball point pen will be needed to fill out the credit card receipt before you muscle the imprinter back and forth.

And we can't forget the stamp and envelope business. Just mailing in the weekly, quarterly and yearly statements to 1700 individual tax authorities will make mailing the business of the year.

Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 11:33 AM (u2a4R)

246 "However, I cannot see how it would be profitable for
me to end up filling out 40 or so forms for 40 states and submitting
them quarterly. It will be a complete burden and not worth staying in
business."

Well, you silly goose, why don't you simply do what Amazon and Wal-Mart do, and call up your standing army of lawyers and lobbyists and pet politicians to get the law changed in a way that's advantageous to your business?

Oh. You don't HAVE a standing army of lawyers and lobbyists and pet politicians.

Posted by: torquewrench at April 23, 2013 11:33 AM (gqT4g)

247 I warned all about Paul Ryan. He is a goner in 2014 with Amnesty. That is a D district he is in, and GOP will stay home or just vote for Scott Walker

Posted by: Jackj at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (KLJRT)

248 Small brick and mortar stores in physical locations have to file sales tax to one state, not 57.

Posted by: mama winger, maybe today at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (P6QsQ)

249 In-state retailers contribute to in-state politicians. Out of state Internet retailers do not. QED, you guys. QED.

Posted by: spongeworthy at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (r5w1L)

250
"The wife loves a specific hot chocolate kind of K-Cup"
This is why Allah (SAW) says to"beat them (lightly)"in Sura Four of the Holy Quran.And Allah knows best.





Posted by: Mufti Mujahid Tamerlane Salahuddin Jihad Mohammed Mahmoud at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (sOtz/)

251 Woah woah, so you're telling me that when my wife is on vacation in Delaware to visit her grandmother and goes to the outlet store to buy me some new UnderArmour polos, that I'm then supposed to report the difference in sales tax between Delaware (0%) and Florida (7%)? And then pay it? And to whom would I pay it?


I need some Moron to fill my knowledge gap on this one, cause this is news to me.
Posted by: BCochran1981 at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (da5Wo)



Knowledge put:

http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/sales_tax.html


Look, almost no one does this, because people don't know they are supposed to do this. If they do know, they don't do it because it's fucking insane.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (VtjlW)

252 The problem is: where does the sale occur? where the buyer clicky's "buy now?" Or on my server?

I never plan on going to Hog's Knuckle, Indiana, so if I sell something to someone there, and don't pay their tax, they're going to do exactly... what?

Better hire an army of tax lawyers.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (x3YFz)

253 He is a goner in 2014 with Amnesty. That is a D district he is in

-----------


You keep saying this.

Posted by: mama winger, maybe today at April 23, 2013 11:35 AM (P6QsQ)

254 235 Royal oil,

and that *is* the point the mom and pops have a lot of advantages in service, return policy, ease of use and local goodwill....

instead the slow to adapt amongst them want to try to litigate the economy.

Okay no problem I'll just learn to live leaner.

Hey mom and pop my life's goal is to live in a conex and reempower genuine local craftsmen....

"good luck"

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:35 AM (LRFds)

255 Is the tax levied where the bits hit the accounting system, or in the state where theorder is fulfilled? This should be hilarious. I don't think our government guys are smart enough to venture onto the net just yet.

Posted by: and irresolute at April 23, 2013 11:35 AM (DBH1h)

256 And we can't forget the stamp and envelope business. Just mailing in the weekly, quarterly and yearly statements to 1700 individual tax authorities will make mailing the business of the year.

---

Numerous states have now mandated electronic filing for certain types of taxes.

The funniest example I've heard of is in Pennsylvania, where the state still had to generate payment booklets despite the law because of the large Amish population that wouldn't e-file or tele-file.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:35 AM (+x8q5)

257 So now imagine all of the varying state and county amounts I will have to collect and pay. My home state amounts collected I can put on my state tax form, since I operate as an individual seller. However, I cannot see how it would be profitable for me to end up filling out 40 or so forms for 40 states and submitting them quarterly. It will be a complete burden and not worth staying in business.
Posted by: Miss Marple


Don't worry....I just took that class at Hogwarts.

*waves wand* *twinkles nose*

Magick! Your problems are solved.

Posted by: Jwest Potter - 23rd Level Business Wizard at April 23, 2013 11:35 AM (BrQrN)

258 Nood

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:36 AM (sbV1u)

259
by: Jwest Potter - 23rd Level Business Wizard at April 23, 2013 11:35 AM (BrQrN)

This has me rolling.

Posted by: garrett at April 23, 2013 11:36 AM (Z04j3)

260 and what if I "clicky" from a company in Deleware on a business trip to MT, am a resident of CO, have it shipped to NM and my cousin Shaniqua just snail mails it to me?

Have fun, fuckers.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:36 AM (x3YFz)

261 251 AlexTheChick,

This is a nation of religious psychos, funded and outiftted by smugglers who fought the world's super power over .5% tax....

"HAHAHAHAHA"

that we have fallen as far as we have is surreal...the notion we are ever going to pay taxes hard.

'good luck dems"

I broke in my marriage with "tax fraud' on ~3000 bucks worth of canadian dresses from paris

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:37 AM (LRFds)

262 If they do know, they don't do it because it's fucking insane.

---

Individuals don't tend to do this unless the purchase is big enough to generate a Lexus / Nexus report, such as buying a car in another state.


Businesses, though, will tend to get audited if they don't report this depending on the line of work they're in.

Construction companies, for example, will get hit hard if the state goes in to examine their books and finds they've been buying materials from out of state and not paying state tax on them.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at April 23, 2013 11:37 AM (+x8q5)

263 This is a perfect example of why we call it "The Stupid Party."

When an issue comes up where the GOP can win points with the voters by simply sticking to their avowed positions -- NO new taxes (ahem) -- they happily line up with the Democrats to skin the taxpayer. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Republicans (Senate or House) should just say "Not just no, but Hell No" to this item and make the Democrats take the heat for trying to stick it to working families.

Posted by: DriveBy at April 23, 2013 11:38 AM (C9Vc8)

264 I broke in my marriage with "tax fraud' on ~3000 bucks worth of canadian dresses from paris Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:37 AM (LRFds)

Paris, Texas? ;-)

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:38 AM (sbV1u)

265 @Vic,

I still think a large part of this is about corporatism. The big guys (i.e. amazon, and even to an extent Ebay) know the gains for this from them (i.e. crushing small business) are far greater than the losses (i.e. extra work, which they can easily computerize).

IF this made any sense at all, the answer would be to do what we do for BM stores, charge the sales tax of the locality that the store is located. At least that would be consistent. (And it's have the cool side effect of creating a potential sales tax war.)

Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 11:38 AM (WTxF0)

266 This is Amazon's fault. They should have built only in the five sales tax free states.
AlaskaDelawareMontanaNew HampshireOregon

Posted by: Knave at April 23, 2013 11:39 AM (cipri)

267 264 Sean Bannion,

Sean take the Missus up to Montreal...

No seriously my wife was taken aback that the help in their underground mall was there watching her undress and complimenting her on her ass and frank about he small rack....

that alone was worth the price of the trip.

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:40 AM (LRFds)

268 #242 Mike Pence is a dolt who has never run a business. He is getting on the job training as an executive by being governor.

He spent a lot of years in Congress and before that was a radio talk show host.

He's real good at talking, though.

I wish we had a governor like Perry.

Posted by: Miss Marple at April 23, 2013 11:42 AM (GoIUi)

269 Knowledge put:



http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/sales_tax.html





Look, almost no one does this, because people don't know they are
supposed to do this. If they do know, they don't do it because it's
fucking insane.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD. Please? at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (VtjlW)

Wait wait wait. So if on my way to Florida for Vacation, I stop somewhere hypothetical that doesn't have a sales tax, buy something I needed (like new swim trucks because I left mine at home) and I bring them into Florida I'm supposed to pay sales tax on those?Per you're link:Use tax is due on the use or consumption of taxable goods or services when sales tax was not paid at the time of
purchase. For example:
{Snippage}If you buy a taxable item outside Florida and bring or have it delivered into this state and you didn't pay sales
tax on the item, you owe use tax.
I see nothing about being a resident. That can't possibly be right.

Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 11:42 AM (WTxF0)

270 Woah woah, so you're telling me that when my wife is on vacation in Delaware to visit her grandmother and goes to the outlet store to buy me some new UnderArmour polos, that I'm then supposed to report the difference in sales tax between Delaware (0%) and Florida (7%)? And then pay it? And to whom would I pay it? I need some Moron to fill my knowledge gap on this one, cause this is news to me.
Posted by: BCochran1981 at April 23, 2013 11:21 AM (da5Wo)

Yep. Most states have a line on their taxes for you to report items purchased from out-of-state and used or consumed in your home state. You officially owe taxes on these purchases, and most states make a nominal effort to collect them as part of income tax filings. However, about 1% of people ever do report out-of-state purchases.

The Supreme Court case that forbade the collection of taxes from out-of-state retailers (those that lack a physical presence) is based on a federal law, not a Constitutional issue. States were allowed to pursue their citizens, but not from out-of-state entities. What states have been lobbying for (including Gov. McDonnell of VA and O'Malley in MD, as part of the transportation deals just passed in those states) is for the federal government to permit states to requireretailers who ship goods to their state to impose sales taxes on those purchases.

Now, a few notes for my fellow morons. First, the federal government does not get a penny from this legislation. Now, I certainly see the danger and precedent of allowing internet taxes, but the beneficiaries of this are the states. Complain to your governor about supporting this measure.

Second, a state is not required to have out-of-state retailers collect sales taxes. It is likely that most will, but some may not.

Third, as consumers you owe this already. Don't like the law? Fine, work to change it in your state, and to get sales taxes reduced in your state or locality. However, this is technicallynota "new" tax but a tool for enforcing compliance from citizens. It will undoubtedly affect businesses and impose a cost on them, and I would want to see the details of how a business can be spared from 40 different sales tax audits. I have a feeling that most states will form a collaborative agreement- that the home state will conduct the sales tax audit and confirm whether each state covered in the agreement was paid the right amount. But that's neither here nor there.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon might become Harrison Bergeron at April 23, 2013 11:43 AM (+/C3g)

271
Stupid party indeed.

The GOP wants to make points with the young crowd? The crowd that buys everything online? Oppose this and point out exactly who is trying to raise taxes on them. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Instead the Senate Rs are going along with it.

Posted by: @JohnTant at April 23, 2013 11:45 AM (eytER)

272
214#51 jwest, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Perhaps you should look into a company like Big Commerce.com.

Right now, if you indicate that you need to pay state and local taxes in a particular area (by saying you have a physical presence), they already have all the tax data in the program. When the customer goes to checkout, the proper taxes are charged and the amount is collected through a (apparently non-existent) billing portal called Authorize.net.

It's a safe bet that this company and all the others hosting online stores will add to the software when necessary to automatically transfer the right amount to the right agency.

If they don't, I'll start a company to do it.

Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 11:45 AM (u2a4R)

273 No seriously my wife was taken aback that the help in their underground mall was there watching her undress and complimenting her on her ass and frank about he small rack.... that alone was worth the price of the trip. Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:40 AM (LRFds)

LOL. My wife was a professional dancer, she was used to costumers, choreographers, artistic directors, donors, and assorted other n'er do wells critique her body like she wasn't even there. Wouldn't faze her in the least.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at April 23, 2013 11:45 AM (sbV1u)

274 and that *is* the point the mom and pops have a lot of advantages in service, return policy, ease of use and local goodwill....

instead the slow to adapt amongst them want to try to litigate the economy.

Okay no problem I'll just learn to live leaner.

Hey mom and pop my life's goal is to live in a conex and reempower genuine local craftsmen....

"good luck"


Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:35 AM (LRFds)
=====
No kidding. I grew up in a small town and never had a WalMart until around 20.

Got so damned tired of the "you're lucky I even let you in my store" attitude of most mom and pop.

How hard is it to say, "Hey, you like that power drill? New models are coming in soon, and I'll knock 10% off if you buy today." That's what I got at Home Depot--and never, ever, ever got at at mom and pop.

Posted by: RoyalOil at April 23, 2013 11:46 AM (VjL9S)

275
245 jwest

I hope you are being sarcastic. But if not, then you are a fucking idiot who hasn't a clue how taxes effect a business and how the business passes on tax increases to the consumer. And if that business is lucky, they stay in business.

Posted by: ExSnipe at April 23, 2013 11:46 AM (PBm/l)

276 271 John Tant,

it's the stockholm syndrome caucus in the Senate...

McCain and the Mavericks!

basically they think the kids are "against us y'see because we block taxes them kids think taxes are groovy!"


never grasping...no you stupid dolts they've been brainwashed into thinking you tax them and hand bags of money to the rich TALK TO THEM FOR FUCK'S SAKES!

sorry rant off

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:47 AM (LRFds)

277 Third, as consumers you owe this already. Don't like
the law? Fine, work to change it in your state, and to get sales taxes
reduced in your state or locality. However, this is technicallynota
"new" tax but a tool for enforcing compliance from citizens. It will
undoubtedly affect businesses and impose a cost on them, and I would
want to see the details of how a business can be spared from 40
different sales tax audits. I have a feeling that most states will form a
collaborative agreement- that the home state will conduct the sales tax
audit and confirm whether each state covered in the agreement was paid
the right amount. But that's neither here nor there.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon might become Harrison Bergeron at April 23, 2013 11:43 AM (+/C3g)


Anyone here who's done the "swim trunk" example and actually paid the use tax raise your hand? Yeah. Just like I report paying the kid down the street $20 to mow my lawn.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:47 AM (x3YFz)

278 214 It's a safe bet that this company and all the others hosting online stores will add to the software when necessary to automatically transfer the right amount to the right agency.

Awesome, more fucking rent seekers who want their cut of the actual consumer's wallet. You know, every bit of the cost for your new software and your great new service...is coming out of someone productive's wallet. So fuck that. And you for signing all of us up for it just so enthusiastically.

Posted by: akula51 at April 23, 2013 11:48 AM (Vgn84)

279 272 JWest TArd at large,

Yeah JWest I'll take 'broken fucking window fallacies for a 1000 alex"


Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:48 AM (LRFds)

280 278 Akula51,

and that is PRECISELY what Amazon is up to here...

rent seeking.

I think it may be our patriotic duty to live leaner soon

Rent seeking assholes

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:49 AM (LRFds)

281 280 I think it may be our patriotic duty to live leaner

Fuck, it wasn't always one of them? lol...

Posted by: akula51 at April 23, 2013 11:50 AM (Vgn84)

282 281 akula51,

and we may have a "life coach' for the economy for life in barky...

I dunno I got my conspicuous consumption on for a lot of years starting at the tag end of Reagan and all i got was this 17 trillion dollar debt and a SCOAMFY T-Shirt

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:52 AM (LRFds)

283 #245 Yes, I am sure eBay will eventually figure out a program to collect all of those taxes. And we small retailers will then be charged more final value fees as a result, because they are doing the work for us.

So my prices will have to go up, because I am not doing all of this work as a charitable enterprise.

And then, at the endof the year, my damn 1099 will show all of the states, counties and municipalities to which I paid taxes, costing me more at the accountant.

Why is it that you non-business people think that time and expense are nothing? How about we start making you pay $25.00 per day just to go in the front door of where you work? How wouldyou like that?

Posted by: Miss Marple at April 23, 2013 11:52 AM (GoIUi)

284
I guess I'm lucky to have all the business tycoons here at AoSHQ to explain how the world works.

Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 11:53 AM (u2a4R)

285
Sure, I'll pay. But first, the State of Florida will blow me.

Then I get to sue the incompetent company that failed their responsibility for incompetency, right?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at April 23, 2013 11:54 AM (+z4pE)

286 284 JWest,

Yeah...you ever sold items and made enough to have to report it as business income?

I have.

I also do taxes...but hey you just magic up solutions that are free and don't impact the bottom line or hurt consumers and rain taxes from heaven....

and now you will blow me

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 11:56 AM (LRFds)

287 So my prices will have to go up, because I am not doing all of this work as a charitable enterprise.

And
then, at the endof the year, my damn 1099 will show all of the states,
counties and municipalities to which I paid taxes, costing me more at
the accountant.

Why is it that you non-business people think that
time and expense are nothing? How about we start making you pay $25.00
per day just to go in the front door of where you work? How wouldyou
like that?


Posted by: Miss Marple at April 23, 2013 11:52 AM (GoIUi)


10% increase in vendor prices + 8% sales tax = just killed online shopping.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:56 AM (x3YFz)

288
I may have mentioned in the past that my wife works for MegaSoftware Giant Corp.. She assures me the software for this exists and is already in widespread use.

There are some very good reasons to oppose instituting a nationwide system for statetax collection, including the ease by which the Feds could plop a new tax on top of that system. But, as is becoming more common here, a lot of the objections are nothing but a rant against some fictional proposal.

Online retailers aren't likely to employ anybody in your town or pay any local taxes to support your schools. Further, this is a tax we already owe--are we tax cheats now? Is that Truly Conservative and I missed the memo?

Posted by: spongeworthy at April 23, 2013 11:56 AM (r5w1L)

289 Got so damned tired of the "you're lucky I even let you in my store" attitude of most mom and pop.

The "buy Christmas presents from human beings, not corporations" campaign last year got really disgusting. I know, they're better people than me because they knit ugly bibs for hipster babies and collect food stamps instead of going into a multinational corporation every day (every fucking day...) and earning a salary, but all that cool stuff people really want at Christmas instead of hideous dolls and paintings was designed by people, manufactured by people, stocked by people.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at April 23, 2013 11:56 AM (/kI1Q)

290 Anyone here who's done the "swim trunk" example and actually paid the use tax raise your hand? Yeah. Just like I report paying the kid down the street $20 to mow my lawn.
Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:47 AM (x3YFz)

And this is also why states don't go after individuals for it. What would an audit net, even if they could prove you bought $5000 of out-of-state merchandise? Even with a 7% state sales tax, that's only $350 of additional revenue. The cost of the audit well exceeds the revenue. However, a business might have sold $500k of merchandise to citizens of your state. For $35k, it might be worth sendinga team of 2-3 people for a week.

Again, I'm not saying what's wrong or right, just why states are lobbying Congress for this.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon might become Harrison Bergeron at April 23, 2013 11:57 AM (+/C3g)

291 10% increase in vendor prices + 8% sales tax = just killed online shopping.

Except at the huge retailers who have physical and online locations.

As I said, we have a Fascist economy.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at April 23, 2013 11:58 AM (/kI1Q)

292 288 Spongeworthy,

Sponge you know I know my taxes...I have used link-fut o pub17s and shown how the interpretation of tax law works....

I am not flaming you...do you not get the point that the crisis in America is not the taxes paid in it is the graft, regulatory super state, and interference in the business cycle?

I am against ANY step that further empowers leviathan with no sign of any restraint from its appetites in exchange.

Sorry.

Posted by: sven10077@sven10077 at April 23, 2013 12:01 PM (LRFds)

293 However, a business might have sold $500k of
merchandise to citizens of your state. For $35k, it might be worth
sendinga team of 2-3 people for a week.



Again, I'm not saying what's wrong or right, just why states are lobbying Congress for this.

Posted by: Virginia SoCon might become Harrison Bergeron at April 23, 2013 11:57 AM (+/C3g)


I understand. But it won't work. People are stupid, but they're smart. There are so many loopholes in the tax code you could hang a million lawyers with them. Only the derp derps will actually pay the taxes.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 12:01 PM (x3YFz)

294
Meh- the horse has long left the stable. It is very interesting to read the court decisions just after the 16th amendment was ratified and citizens sued. Brushaber v Union Pacific RR is most interesting as it reminds one that there is only two types of federal tax- direct and indirect. As the "tariff act" lacks enumeration via census = indirect tax ie duties, imposts, and excises. The fed has had this power "from the beginning" andextends to privileges such as corporate privelege, non-citizens, US possessions, citizens overseas, etc.
Voluntary compliance anyone? If anyone expects the pathetic loser party to save us... cling on.

Posted by: Tom22ndState at April 23, 2013 12:04 PM (ammUS)

295 Online retailers aren't likely to employ anybody
in your town or pay any local taxes to support your schools. Further,
this is a tax we already owe--are we tax cheats now? Is that Truly
Conservative and I missed the memo?

Posted by: spongeworthy at April 23, 2013 11:56 AM (r5w1L)


Arguably we only owe it because states have overreached their power in the first place.Conservative ideas support heavily competition on all levels (even sales tax.) If it's more economical for me to drive across the street to buy my fridge and avoid the extra 1% sales tax why shouldn't I? And why should the state protect the remarkably stupid decision by a municipality to make that tax higher? (and in the process snuff out competition.)Are we next going to tell people they can't choose to live in a state with a lower income tax? (As it stands I'm fairly certain for people who work in IL but live in MO they pay the MO income tax and there are a lot of people who do that because IL taxes are insane.)

Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 12:05 PM (WTxF0)

296
Posted by: jwest at April 23, 2013 11:45 AM

So your response is to talk about a cottage industry whose entire reason for existence is to act as an agent for compliance with government regulations and to do so for a fee....

And you think this is a *selling point?!?*

Posted by: @JohnTant at April 23, 2013 12:07 PM (eytER)

297 #109 I long for the days of "Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips!" Jesus, does anyone remember Arthur Treacher?

Posted by: Fourth Virginia at April 23, 2013 11:08 AM (wbmaj)


I do. For you 'rons who don't, he's the fellow playing the kind constable bringing Jane and Michael home in Disney's Mary Poppins.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at April 23, 2013 12:08 PM (zF6Iw)

298 When the big city across the bay increased their sales tax, I altered my buying habits accordingly, and apparently so did others since the tax increase is only bringing in 5% of what was forcast.
I'll adapt and overcome.

Posted by: dick cheese at April 23, 2013 12:09 PM (evdj2)

299 If it's more economical for me to drive across the
street to buy my fridge and avoid the extra 1% sales tax why shouldn't
I? And why should the state protect the remarkably stupid decision by a
municipality to make that tax higher? (and in the process snuff out
competition.)Are we next going to tell people they can't choose to live
in a state with a lower income tax? (As it stands I'm fairly certain for
people who work in IL but live in MO they pay the MO income tax and
there are a lot of people who do that because IL taxes are insane.)




Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 12:05 PM (WTxF0)


Hah... Oh you mean why the city keeps building houses outside the city limits but there's no action by the planning commission to include any stores? The county sales tax is 6% and the city is 8% so they build these (we call them) box farms of homes with no stores, no gas stations, no infrastructure.

Assholes.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 12:09 PM (x3YFz)

300
I'm with you sven, here:"I am against ANY step that further empowers leviathan...". But remember these are state taxes we're collecting.

It's unfortunate that the default solution is not to get rid of sales taxes altogether, but a solution that facilitates paying taxes we already owe just does not seem a reason for outrage to me. And I guarantee you that if we did propose to get rid of sales taxes, Internet retailers would be raising holy hell about it.

Posted by: spongeworthy at April 23, 2013 12:11 PM (r5w1L)

301
If this thread is live I wish to unilaterally defuse the Wesley Snipes retort as WS claimed he was a resident alien therefore federal law exempted him.
Just the opposite of Treasury Decision 2313 which held that resident aliens living in the US was subject to the tax.

Posted by: Tom22ndState at April 23, 2013 12:12 PM (ammUS)

302 Wow. A perfect issue for Republicans to flex their anti-tax street cred and earn votes from younger voters. I'm sure somehow they'll screw it up.

Posted by: McAdams at April 23, 2013 12:15 PM (IZjA3)

303 Hah... Oh you mean why the city keeps building
houses outside the city limits but there's no action by the planning
commission to include any stores? The county sales tax is 6% and the
city is 8% so they build these (we call them) box farms of homes with no
stores, no gas stations, no infrastructure.

Assholes.


Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 12:09 PM (x3YFz)

Well I live in the burbs of what has become a somewhat spawling city. (St. Louis is not dense.)But municipalities in this city have actually carved out areas (sometimes just one strip mall) and declared them "special tax zones" with extra sales tax associated. Why should I shop there?I live on the boundary of 2 different municipalities and have roughly equidistant grocery stories in each. Why should I shop at the one with the higher sales tax? And should my municipality force me to pay the extra money just because I opted to go left instead of right out of my subdivision?

Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 12:15 PM (WTxF0)

304 It's just surreal to see the US Senate clamoring to "help" the staes increase revenue. Something just doesn't ring true seeing the pimps offering the whores support for a change.

Posted by: Tom22ndState at April 23, 2013 12:16 PM (ammUS)

305 But municipalities in this city have actually carved
out areas (sometimes just one strip mall) and declared them "special
tax zones" with extra sales tax associated. Why should I shop there?I
live on the boundary of 2 different municipalities and have roughly
equidistant grocery stories in each. Why should I shop at the one with
the higher sales tax? And should my municipality force me to pay the
extra money just because I opted to go left instead of right out of my
subdivision?




Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 12:15 PM (WTxF0)


Because the guy that sits on the city council's second cousin works for the construction co that built the strip mall!

I swear by all that is cthulu I'm opening a pitchforks and torches store.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 12:18 PM (x3YFz)

306 Because the guy that sits on the city council's second cousin works for the construction co that built the strip mall!

I swear by all that is cthulu I'm opening a pitchforks and torches store.


Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 12:18 PM (x3YFz)

Uhhh what benefits the construction company by building a new store in a zone with a HIGHER sales tax.In many of these cases it was this was prime business real estate (due to intersection location) so they looked around and said "Let's take the consumer for everything we can."Now if I choose to tell that municipality to shove their extra taxes up their ass (and instead shop at the stores down the road.) should the state say "no, you know what, we want you to pay the higher sales tax you would have if you hadn't driven an extra mile."(Ironically because of the way the land worked out, the new construction stores 'round here tends to be in the higher sales tax zones, and the older stuff in the lower.)

Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 12:22 PM (WTxF0)

307 Uhhh what benefits the construction company by
building a new store in a zone with a HIGHER sales tax.

they looked around and said "Let's take the consumer for
everything we can."


Posted by: tsrblke (work) at April 23, 2013 12:22 PM (WTxF0)


You answered your own question, and you're making the mistake of assuming they're capable of logic.

Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 12:24 PM (x3YFz)

308 211 I swear by the insanity of cthulhu, I actually did use puppets to explain to the lawyers who would be asking the questions that, no, in fact "the computer" did not just automatically delete things.

---------

You mean there's an Interpretive Puppet Show of Information Technology? This is just begging for a YouTube channel!

Posted by: Assault Citizen Anachronda, looking for loopholes at April 23, 2013 12:31 PM (FzhYM)

309 Out of fairness, I proposea5 day waiting period to pick up any products formbrick and mortar retailers.

Posted by: Joe at April 23, 2013 12:32 PM (TQaK3)

310 "I will have to hire a full time person to deal with all the paperwork that theoretical sooper geniuses like you say don't exist."


See? We're taking care of unemployment too!

Posted by: Your government masters at April 23, 2013 12:34 PM (OyZkL)

311
Amazon used to lobby the other side but their bottom line changed with recent expansions, so now they want more taxes.

Someone ought to start a boycott campaign.

Posted by: entropy at April 23, 2013 12:45 PM (TULs6)

312
<i>they've been brainwashed into thinking you tax them and hand bags of money to the rich </i>

They've been brainwashed by reality. That is what politicians do. Moar sales taxes, and then they'll go and give it all to Solyndra or JP Morgan.

Posted by: entropy at April 23, 2013 01:09 PM (TULs6)

313 The problem is: where does the sale occur? where the buyer clicky's "buy now?" Or on my server?

I
never plan on going to Hog's Knuckle, Indiana, so if I sell something
to someone there, and don't pay their tax, they're going to do
exactly... what?

Better hire an army of tax lawyers.


Posted by: non-reloadable magazine at April 23, 2013 11:34 AM (x3YFz)

My guess is that it will be the buyer's location as defined by his address. Anything else is too vague and open to manipulating. A California company can set up a server farm and distribution center in Montana. Is their location the corporate HQ or the offsite location? It's harder to manipulate the buyer's address since it will involve a credit card and those people are fanatical about hunting people down and knowing where they are.

Posted by: Zombie John Gotti at April 23, 2013 01:23 PM (Gkhxf)

314 Taxes are the Republican's best winning issue.

Yea, but they package it as "We will tax you less1"

But, Taxed none the less....DOOM!

Posted by: Paladin at April 23, 2013 02:56 PM (y53d1)

315
jwest @35 you are a fucking liar and go to hell. the law is for $500,000 and more in sales and not $1 million you piece of cow shit. They might have told you it was for $1 million at one time, but this is how your piece of shit congress works.....they put it in the law at $500,000. Then next year they will drop it to $250,000, then, they will do what my state has done and drop it to $0.

I spent 54 hours three years ago trying to figure out by GPS which entity all my sales went to so I could make sure Yakima Valley got their 3 cents and Oroville their 12 cents and whether some person's house was on the wrong side of the street so they had to pay some public transportation tax while his neighbor didn';t.....54 hours for a $36 sales tax liability.

Can't wait to have to spend two months of my life trying to make sure some small town 2000 miles away gets their 7 cents from me.

And as for their supposed method for making it easier, having the states make sure they follow some standard form - well my form is the one or two pages that have maybe room for 30 jurisdictions on it - unfortunately for online sellers that would be 300 of those blasted forms.

Posted by: dougq at April 23, 2013 03:55 PM (uJ8q7)

316 We live in the utopian state whereby Constitutional rights and p[rosperity are too good for us MASSES. We exist for Lord Obama's Royal pleasure and for us to be squeezed and wrung out like sponges of our last pennies. Take note of the news, jobs are now too good for us, to be given to jihad Muslims to pacify them, pacify/empower them like demorats have done Iran and North Korea. Being stupid fools and idiots at election time isn't fun anymore, is it idjits ?
No jobs, money, no prosperity, no Constitutional rights soon enough, time to give up being damn fools on election days yet ?

Posted by: ron n. at April 23, 2013 10:44 PM (6fvl0)

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