Reader comments
Online sales-tax measure doesn't click with local sellers

Under current laws in Utah any purchases outside of the state for Utah residents are taxable for sales tax on the State tax form 40. For the federal government to add and additional sales tax is not the federal governments right. Sales taxes are a state tax controlled and enforced by the states and not the jurisdiction of federal government. If the federal government wants to get involved in tax collections they should start with the illegals that are not paying any taxes or even filling any income tax forms as required by the IRS. And the federal government should go after the businesses employing illegals that are falsifying IRS and SSA income tax records. The falsification of these records and incomes are causing more harm and loss of tax revenue than interstate sales of merchandise and collecting sales tax.

Seth Hiatt is totally right!! I am glad he is standing up for small businesses! Way to GO!!!!

Internet sales have exploded and States are losing billions of dollars in lost sales tax revenue because local retailers are losing those sales. Local retailers are losing sales because without the sales tax on internet sales, the retail playing field is uneven.

The billions of dollars in lost revenue will have to be made up by other taxes or increased taxes (ie: an increase in local sales or property taxes). There is no option and it's a no-win for consumers. Then at some point down the road internet sales will be taxed. That will be a double whammy.

The infrastructure and services of states are largely funded by sales taxes. It is only fair for people to pay sales taxes on their internet purchases. Because the states have to function you will pay one way or the other.

I agree with the Overstock.com perspective that small online businesses don't use the infrastructure... It doesn't make sense to have them contribute to payment for a system they don't use!

Will it never end...tax, tax, tax...so many locals are limited inn their offerings, many of the bigs only provide their choices of what consumers want, that the Internet has become for me the best source for selection, cost, and dependability...even with shipping charges (to which I do not need more taxes attached!)... It is the "bigs," not the Internet that is hurting "mom and pop" businesses... Like most, there are still many things I buy locally and get whacked with the sales tax...particularly the real basic...food!

Dad your a great guy and I hope the law changes very soon. And to any other readers I'm glad my dads my dad!