Letter from 'We're Here' Coalition concerning internet sales tax......
thebeav
Posts: 4,108 ✭✭✭✭✭
I just received this from the coalition that fights for ebay......
This week the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision on the issue of Internet sales tax. And the justices essentially split the baby.
On the one hand, the Court overturned the long-held standard of "physical presence" embodied in the Quill v North Dakota decision of 1992. The justices decided that this notion was rooted in the past and did not reflect the realities of today's increasingly online marketplaces that span state and international boundaries. However, the Court's decision was limited to large online retailers.
On the other hand, the Court also said that it views small businesses differently. The justices essentially vindicated a key WE R HERE point – that small businesses cannot possibly deal with all the red tape that comes with having to remit taxes to (and face audits from) 40-plus states.
The Supreme Court left unanswered the key question of how to define a small business. For now, that question is left for federal and state legislators. Legislators often misinterpret revenue figures for small businesses in this space, who operate on razor-thin margins.
Our fight is not yet over. The policy battle will continue as we fight to educate lawmakers on the true value of a small business. According to the Small Business Administration, $30 million dollars of yearly revenue is a small business. This is not the view of many in state and federal chambers. We must continue to combat the mega-retailers who push legislators to implement an artificially low revenue threshold.
We will need your help, so stay tuned and stay ready to let your lawmakers know that WE R HERE.
Sincerely,
Phil Bond, Executive Director, WE R HERE Coalition
Comments
Last breath for the old Ebay level playing field model. They need their digital shelves replenished daily but the small guy, which they have crushed in the last decade with ever increasing fees and more onerous requirements, will likely fold up his tent and depart. Whether the likes of Apmex and MCM can fill that void (at greatly reduced fees) remains to be seen.
I have zero sympathy for Ebay on this issue.
They reap what they sow.
I got the same email asking for my help - I laughed out loud as I hit the DELETE button.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
I am waiting to be contacted by the Where Has The Coalition Been Coalition... so I can affirm that I am not here or there or anywhere
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
eBay now, BST forum next, and don't think it might not happen.
Yep - I agree - and if you read your state income tax instructions carefully, i'd wager that they want you to declare what internet goods you bought with no sales tax.
Of course, that is on the honor system. Some are more honorable than others when writing checks to the government.
So let's just say that it is high time for smaller government than continuing to feed the monster.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Actually, the same rules would apply to BST. Just because you can get away with violating/avoiding the law, doesn't mean the law has changed
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I foresee an increase in business for self-defined small businesses...and a major opportunity for tax free exchanges (or what ever name that will be assigned to these operations)...This will be entertaining... Cheers, RickO