States, Congress rallying for an e-sales tax

[alp227]

Online shopping in the Washington region is about to become more expensive.

A wave of states, including Virginia, have passed laws that will require consumers to pay sales tax on all Internet purchases as soon as next year. Other states and the District are pursuing similar measures. And in Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) wants to go further and levy a tax on songs and other digital products bought through popular sources such as iTunes.

For states struggling in the troubled economy, this could mean $23 billion in new revenue each year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Had online retailers collected sales tax this year, Virginia would have added nearly $423 million to its coffers, while Maryland would have seen $376 million and the District $72 million, the group said.

The movement in state capitals is driving newfound support for a proposed bill in Congress that could make collection of sales tax a standard practice on the Web, no matter where a consumer logs in to shop.

full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/states-congress-rallying-for-an-e-sales-tax/2012/07/08/gJQACKtpWW_singlePage.html

[KT2000]

1. How would this work?

In Washington, we pay ssales tax for doing businesses that are headquartered in Washington. Amazon has bought so many businesses that I pay sales tax on most purchases.
But is this new idea going to charge by the customer's locations as well?

[meow2u3]

2. E-sales tax laws would not pass Constitutional muster

Here's why:

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei#section9

[alp227]

3. Thanks for the find.

End of story, then.