Influential tech columnist Bill Snyder advocated for an end to the sales tax exemption for catalog and web retailers earlier this month. And in an editorial today, the Lincoln (NE) Journal Star seconded the motion. Here is how Snyder put it, “The Internet is no longer a baby that needs to be cosseted and protected from the real world, and favoring Internet business over brick-and-mortar ones via a tax exemption is not fair.” He goes on to suggest that the current fiscal crisis in many states may pave the way for passage of the Main Street Fairness Act (H.R. 5660), which was introduced this month by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.)
No industry wishes to lose out on tax breaks, special treatment or other favors from government, but non-store retailers should prepare for the end of this one soon. It is wholly without merit, and there is a long list of government services to be paid for.
