06/23/2018
JUST HAD to make a public comment on the Supreme Court ruling on Internet Taxes. (this is what, I told Ebay, government relations, which is lobbying for internet exemptions on taxation.)
I'm sorry to disagree with you on the Supreme Courts ruling. The fact is, is that states have always had a right to tax
products sold or delivered to their jurisdiction. They just haven't had a good mechanism for collecting.
The law should treat everyone equally and not allow some to benefit by being tax cheaters/escapees.
The only way to keep taxes relatively low and fair is to have taxation where everyone has skin in the
game. The whole idea that some people can earn income and not pay federal or state income tax is also fundamentally unfair.
As far as I'm concerned anyone escaping taxes because of multi-tiered taxes or one sided exemptions,
shouldn't have a say in how our government spends money.
Maybe all those businesses escaping sales tax, should have voluntarily given up their rights (as a non-tax paying citizen) to lobby or protest against their government, vote and otherwise influence the direction of the various levels of government spending !
When people can legislate themselves an exemption from taxation, We move ourselves one step closer to becoming the next Venezuela. Taxation for all. YOU ARE WRONG on this subject. Most states will carve out an exemption like (South Dakota) to exclude casual and small sellers. You are also wrong on the affects of internet purchasing. The internet market already enjoys several advantages over brick and mortar stores that aren't going away. Why would you support welfare (tax exemptions) for the Newly Rich. Oh, I get it. It's in your shortsighted selfserving interest. And finally, I buy lots of things on the Internet, seldom is it just about the price. I will continue to buy as I have and take advantage of what the internet offers me in convenince and availabilty, especially with hard to find items.
I can say that no one can really make the claim, HONESTLY, that they can't afford the sales tax. When the Internet is exempt, then other taxes have to be higher. South Dakota is already proposing, dropping sales tax on grocery food, just like Minnesota.
A huge benefit for those struggling with low income. By the way, food would be exempt online as well !!!!
The whole idea of paying no taxes on internet sales perpetuates the false idea that other taxes won't be higher to make up for it. THEY ALREADY ARE. Ebay, please go back and focus on making your market place better. Maybe you could get out of wasting money on "lobbying" and just lower your fees. You might get a surprise as far as increasing sales activity on Ebay, despite the sales taxes owed & being collected. Sincerely, Tim Scholtes (A citizen concerned about fundamental fairness/equal protection/equal treatment)
