Internet Taxation

[BO-CEPHUS]

Do you believe that sales via the internet should be taxed?

The moratorium which prohibits the government from
taxing the Internet expired today? Some seem to believe that it is only fair to tax the internet. Those people have been brainwased into believing the American principle that everything should be taxed. Propaganda at its best.

E-commerce generates billions of dollars every single year. Personally, I do a lot of my buying via the internet just to avoid a sales tax. This yet again looks like another way for the government to get it hands involved in business affairs. This will just turnout to be another nightmare where the government will ruin a good thing.

There are 7000+ different tax rates levied by various states, cities, counties, etc.. This would be almost impossible for e-businesses to keep up with. Many do not have the money or resources to simply run this type of system. I also fear that this could lead to some type of national database containing personal information, buying behaviors, etc...

But the most important factor is that taxing the internet is unconstitutioal. The Constitution only gives the government the power to regulate interstate business. This mean that state governments have no authority to collect taxes outside of its border. The Supreme Court has also struck down laws on two occassions that prevent out of state businesses from collecting taxes.

The only internet tax is NO internet tax!

 

[chesty]

Well we knew it was coming. Of course I don't believe it should be taxed. But the gov't is thinking, damn look at all of that money I am loosing out on by not legally stealing through taxes. Next, they will be taxing our use of email, and more. Be ready folks, the next revolution won't be so easy.

 

[May1010]

First of all, there are over 30,000 state, county, and local taxes that are imposed. Assuming that a company has nexus in each of these jurisdictions, their compliance responsibility would be quite burdensome.

I do believe that sales via the Internet should be taxed. Why?

Because of people like you who purchase their goods and services via the net are putting the brick and mortar stores out of business.

You should know that just because you purchase over the Net and are not charged sales tax, you are not relieved of the tax liability. Instead of the transaction being subject to sales tax, and as such, being the liability of the retailer, the tax liability is shifted to the purchases, that is, you. You owe what is called a "use tax" which is generally the same rate as that of the sales tax.

The problem is that very few, if any, individuals actually report their use tax liability.


In short, you're putting traditional stores out of business and shirking your tax responsibilities at the same time. Not very American from my perspective.

 

[Latimer]

I hope that one day we are taxed a fraction of a cent for each keystroke and mouse click.

 

[BO-CEPHUS]

I do believe that sales via the Internet should be taxed. Why?

Because of people like you who purchase their goods and services via the net are putting the brick and mortar stores out of business.

Do catalog sales put the traditional brick and mortar stores out of business? We have had this type of convience for decades yet I still see the traditional stores striving quite well. E-commerce only accounts for a fraction of all retail sales. The traditional store do not charge any type of shipping so there will always be people who will only purchase form the actual stores. Brick and mortar stores will always dominate retail sales. Also e-commerce provides a very good econconmic incentive. Stores are always looking for ways to out perform their competition. This would lead to them setting up web sites and furthering their business revenues.

You should know that just because you purchase over the Net and are not charged sales tax, you are not relieved of the tax liability. Instead of the transaction being subject to sales tax, and as such, being the liability of the retailer, the tax liability is shifted to the purchases, that is, you. You owe what is called a "use tax" which is generally the same rate as that of the sales tax.

The problem is that very few, if any, individuals actually report their use tax liability.

Yes you are right and the buyer should never report this "use tax" State govts have zero authority to collect any taxes outside of its borders. Now that is American, my friend.

In short, you're putting traditional stores out of business and shirking your tax responsibilities at the same time. Not very American from my perspective.

Shrinking my tax liability is always a good thing. As of now I am looking for a way to completely getting out of paying income taxes. It is going to take some time, but it will get done and it will be legal.

You are just one of many who have been brainwashed into believing that taxes are all about be American. Just because it is out there does not mean it nees to be taxed.

 

[chesty]

How do I claim usage tax on my Remington 700P? What about for every round I fire?

Most brick and mortor stores utilize the net for increased sales and find that in some cases their sales increase up to 50% or more.

So, that kind of crap claim is stupid. The gov't wants our money and it is going to get it any way it can.


Hey, I got a good one. I order a box of rubbers on line from a different state, How do I claim the usage tax? Do they need proof of the use?

God, this is silly.

 

[May1010]

Do catalog sales put the traditional brick and mortar stores out of business? We have had this type of convience for decades yet I still see the traditional stores striving quite well.

In the old days, the people who ordered from a catalog were unable to make it to the stores to purchase in person. They were primarily farmers and they purchased from big chain stores, i.e. Sears. Their purchases were not so great that they put stores closer to them out of business.

E-commerce only accounts for a fraction of all retail sales.

I agree, its a fraction. How big of a fraction? Please site your source?

The traditional store do not charge any type of shipping so there will always be people who will only purchase form the actual stores.

I get charged shipping all the time!

Brick and mortar stores will always dominate retail sales. Also e-commerce provides a very good econconmic incentive. Stores are always looking for ways to out perform their competition. This would lead to them setting up web sites and furthering their business revenues.

Hello? Have you seen how many mom and pop stores that Amazon.com and Pets.com have put out of business?

Yes you are right and the buyer should never report this "use tax" State govts have zero authority to collect any taxes outside of its borders.

Provided a retailer ships its goods via common carrier to a place outside its state into another state where it does not have a physical presence, then you are correct. The state where the retailer is located is not liable to report the sales tax on that transaction. However, the purchases has the liability of proving that the tax has been paid on any tangible personal property that is consumed or used in the state.

Now that is American, my friend.

Unfortunately, you're right. Cheating our government on taxes is very American.

Shrinking my tax liability is always a good thing. As of now I am looking for a way to completely getting out of paying income taxes. It is going to take some time, but it will get done and it will be legal.

It simply isn't possible. Besides, why should I pay for services and infrastructure and the military and everything else while you pay nothing?

You are just one of many who have been brainwashed into believing that taxes are all about be American. Just because it is out there does not mean it nees to be taxed.

Not all goods and services are taxed. Tell me ... what do you think should and shouldn't be taxed?

 

[May1010]

How do I claim usage tax on my Remington 700P? What about for every round I fire?

You pay the tax at the time you purchase your rounds.

Most brick and mortor stores utilize the net for increased sales and find that in some cases their sales increase up to 50% or more.

For every store that uses the net to increase sales by 50%, I imagine that dozens of smaller stores are put out of business.

So, that kind of crap claim is stupid. The gov't wants our money and it is going to get it any way it can.

Yes, the government wastes some of our money.

Hey, I got a good one. I order a box of rubbers on line from a different state, How do I claim the usage tax? Do they need proof of the use?

You're are required to contact the taxing authority in your state and request a use tax return.

God, this is silly.

Yes, you are.

 

[miles]

wake up !!

People, there is no question about this. The internet was developed by the academic public using public funds (e.g. taxes). It was developed by the public for the benefit of the public. Believe it or not, Al Gore didn't have a thing to do with it. If you think taxing the internet might be a good idea then you are an utter and complete moron. It would be like paying someone for the right to buy something you already own. It is a good trick, and I am certain our governments greedy hand will be all over this new tax idea, especially with a war on. Think about you tax situation already. If you count all your taxes all together it adds up. To like 80% or something like that. Add it up people. State tax, federal tax, social security TAX, sales TAX, and if you own a car, driving TAX, insurance TAX, tax TAX, blah, blah, blah, ad nausium. You should try to hire someone and see what the tax penalties are. I don't even want to go there, but let me say that you don't fully understand the greed of our government until you try to do someone a favor and give them a job. I am really tired of stupid dems thinking our government doesn't have enough money for the "poor little children". THEY TAKE IN (STEAL) MORE THAN HALF OF EVERYTHING EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE USA PRODUCES ALREADY!! The reason they want more money is because THEY SUCK at what they do. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

No way tax the internet. We should destroy it, before we let them tax it. There is no way in hell they could get it back and working again, bcause they are just too greedy and stupid.

Mooooooooooo !!!

 

[RyanH]

Interesting post/ Interesting issue, Bocephus.

The internet should be taxed because it gives e-retailers a great advantage over small business owners as well as other retailers.

 

[BO-CEPHUS]

In the old days, the people who ordered from a catalog were unable to make it to the stores to purchase in person. They were primarily farmers and they purchased from big chain stores, i.e. Sears. Their purchases were not so great that they put stores closer to them out of business.

Well, I do not feel like getting up and going to the store. Their reasons are no more important then are mine.


I agree, its a fraction. How big of a fraction? Please site your source?

My last reading was a little over 10%.

www.idc.com


I get charged shipping all the time!

That is your problem,not mine!


Hello? Have you seen how many mom and pop stores that Amazon.com and Pets.com have put out of business?

Capitalism at its best.


Unfortunately, you're right. Cheating our government on taxes is very American.

I think you mean we are preventing a criminal from robbing us.



It simply isn't possible. Besides, why should I pay for services and infrastructure and the military and everything else while you pay nothing?

I would still be paying taxes, just not income, social security or medicare and the rest of that socialist bullshit.

Not all goods and services are taxed. Tell me ... what do you think should and shouldn't be taxed?

Interstate commerce should be taxed.

 

[May1010]

Bo -


You're not very smart, are you? I hope you're pretty.

 

[BO-CEPHUS]

Interesting post/ Interesting issue, Bocephus.

The internet should be taxed because it gives e-retailers a great advantage over small business owners as well as other retailers.

It is unconstitutional, Ryan. That little Supreme Court that you like to always quote has ruled against taxing out of state businesses twice.

As for an advantage, that is what the business world is all about. If everything was fair there would be no reason to even start a business. You would never make any money. This provides an incentive for small retailers to start their own sites and further their business opportunities.

 

[BO-CEPHUS]

Bo -


You're not very smart, are you? I hope you're pretty.

Game over! You have to insult me instead of simply debating the topic.

As Warik would say, "Too Easy"

 

[Photonic2]

If the government taxes sales on the internet, then I have an option, I just won't buy jack shit. The electric rates went up 31.5% in my state, my response? I cut my electric use by over 55% and I am just beginning to cut it back even more. They aren't making more, they are making less. Less is GOOD when it comes to taxes, the blackmarket will thrive off of this crap, I'll just buy all my stuff like TV's and stereo's off the back off a truck it just fell off of. The mob will thrive, and the government will loose, just that simple. It's always been this way. Damn liberals like RyanH and May1010 just don't get it, the mob in Russia could teach them a few things. You just can't tax a population to the point of over 52%, thats when revolutions get started, it's proven historically to be a 100% certainty. Read your history books. Oh I forgot, they are so busy rewriting them at this point they don't have time to study the real thing.

 

[Sushi X]

how did i know liberals would be for more taxation. i'm starting to see how king george influenced you liberals. i don't think the internet should be taxed. why? because think about it, most of the stuff i buy on the net takes me just a fraction of the time and money to go buy it elsewhere. here's an example, i live in the country so going shopping takes time, money(gas money too) and i hate walking around stores, i hate crowds for one. a lot of what i buy i have to travel 40 miles to go buy, that is an hour trip there, about 4 dollars of gas, and i still have to spend time looking and then pay for it along with a high sales tax, then to come home it's another 40 miles and another hour and yet about 4 more dollars in gas. so i have spent a good part of my waking hours running around wasting gas when all along i can now click the mouse in the comfort of my own home and pay no sales tax or very little if any. i usually save about 10 dollars and 3 hours or so of my day. easy and time/cost efficient. i'm against more taxes period. if the gov lowered my tax from the 26.5% it is to 10% i might be willing to pay a sales tax on the net. again, oppression from those who want to tax everything. the postal service wants taxes on the email, hah, i won't pay it for sure. why should they get taxes for something they are not associated with? they are paid by the government and should not get any tax money for emails. that is plain bs. you can't send packages via email now can you, no, you need the postal service or fedex/ups. plain and simple. read my text: NO NEW TAXES!!!!!!!

 

[miles]

photonic - sushiX

Whew.

Glad to see everyone isn't sleeping at the wheel.

 

[gymnpoppa]

I'm a small biz owner, and I think we're taxed excessively, our government is ridiculous. The whole greedy nature of our government is ignorant of the people. I see no restraint when it comes to their salaries, our taxes, the $$ they give away, of which there is a new bill on foreign aid on the table in Washington now. I believe it's a total of 15.6 billion, with 5 billion going to allies for military and economic aid. And they want more? Internet taxation? Precisely why I'm anti-government.