There is no doubt that the existing, state sales tax systems are far too diverse and complicated to be implemented uniformly on a nationwide Web site. With about 7,500 different taxing jurisdictions in the United States, definitions of taxable items vary widely. It is suggested that as more people shop on the Internet that local, sales-tax revenue will decrease, resulting in less available funds for police and fire services, public schools, roads and infrastructure. Some even feel that in the long run, the result could be crippling to states and municipalities. Since the Commission failed to make a firm recommendation regarding sales taxes, it is likely we will hear more about this issue in the future.
Issues involving remote commerce with other countries promise to be even more complicated.
The new bill also proposes the permanent elimination of Internet access taxes. Technology Executive archive Past newsletters. Feedback Tell us your thoughts on this article or the issues raised in it. When you click Submit, you'll be taken back to this article. Systems Management, Storage, LANs and The Edge.