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Jay Evensen: Sales tax on online purchases hot topic again

Soon enough our new leader will have implemented his national sales tax anyway.

Just to be clear, the new legislation intends to tax downloads (iTunes, movies, software, etc maybe email attachments?) as well as physical product. Stands their nexxus argument on its ear.

Mr. Evensen forgets a couple of key points. First, any business with a physical presence anywhere pays property taxes, the primary function of which are to handle the public safety issues of police and fire. Second, any tranportation of product results in the payment of gas taxes, which go toward road maintenance, improvements and construction. Sales tax has little to do with interstate, online commerce. This is simply a money grab by the state.

I disagree with Mr. Evenson's view. I am sick and tired of our legislature taxing everything they can put their hands on. For example, Utah should be ashamed they are the only state to tax Social Security,

This is a money grab by the state. I go online to buy things that are either unavailable here or too expensive, for example hobbies and books.

I see no reason to pay taxes on these items unless the stores are located here. We pay enough tax on everything else, let alone online purchases.

Furthermore, local stores here are horrible to shop in especially around the holidays. You are dealing with weather problems, parking problems, crowds in the store with unruly kids, and not enough sales help or knowledgeable sales help.

Perhaps Mr. Evensen doesn't have these problems. His wife probably does most of the shopping anyway.

Charging tax for online purchases will only anger people more who are paying almost as much taxes on purchases as New York is.

If the extra tax on cigarettes doesn't cut it, how about taxing soda pop, diapers , snacks and ice cream? And taxing more than three children in schools will also help.

Why can't you locate your server outside the US and have your distribution here? This way the sale is not in a state's jurisdiction. Then, ship the product to your customer? Conservatives love the global economy when Mitt can outsource American jobs. Let's use the global economy to save us money.

In my view one of the reasons that people like to buy online is that there is no sales tax to pay. I personally am grateful for this last sanctuary for the taxpayer but, for some politicians, nothing is holy.

If governments could figure out a way, I'm sure they would place a tax on every breath we took.

I was with you, utah rose, until you wanted to tax diapers and add to the tax burden of people struggling to raise four or more children.

I think that a tax on soda pop would be alright, or any luxury. Children are not a luxury, however, and should not be regarded as one. I appreciate those who are willing to endure the difficulties of taking care of children, or who feel it is all worth while.

I certainly agree with your sense of outrage if Utah is taxing Social Security, though. I think I know why it might be taxed here ( a lot of people in Utah live relatively long lives) Still they often have a great deal of medical expense, and I was looking forward to a day when my income wasn't going to be taxed any more.

Please don't give the wacko's any ideas.

If I hear about the Exhaled Carbon Reform Act of 2009, I will personally hold you accountable.