Internet sales tax is unfair, harmful

Recently, Sen. Durbin successfully obtained a test vote in the U.S. for what is officially known at the Market Fairness Act of 2013 (referred to as the “Internet sales tax” bill). Sen. Mark Kirk supported Durbin on the test vote,

In comparison to the financial Armageddon Illinois is facing, the $200 million being eyed as the amount of revenue an Internet sales tax could generate for Illinois is insignificant.

The process of subjecting online retailers (Internet entrepreneurs) to 10,000 local tax jurisdictions is by itself a terrible idea. It turns every out-of-state retailer into a sales tax collector in what amounts to nationally mandated Internet sales tax on businesses.

Regarding individual states, it allows an extension of state power into other states by allowing states to impose taxes in a way that favors their local business over out-of-state firms having no representation in the taxing state. This taxation without representation is also antithetical to our federalist system which promotes competition among states in creating the best economic policies.

“No taxation without representation” was the battle cry of colonists in 1778 when they marched two-by-two, whooping war chants, to the Boston wharf, where they descended upon ships in the port to throw the offending cargoes of tea into the water in opposition to the Townsend Acts imposed by Great Britain.

The Internet measure, if passed, would basically grow government all over the country, hurt low-tax states, impose taxation without representation, saddle small businesses with collecting taxes for 10,000 distinct tax jurisdictions, and adulterate the freest most successful entity know to man.

Contact Sens. Durbin and Kirk to let them know that voting “yes” for the Market Fairness Act when it reaches the Senate floor would bring far more harm to Illinois than the monetary benefits realized from taxing the Internet,

Nancy J. Thorner

Lake Bluff