The SSTP has considerable momentum. From its beginnings in early 2000, the Project now has about 40 states that are either full participants or observers. In addition, national retailing associations, who are eager for simpler sales tax rules, are big supporters of the project. The major retailers are natural supporters of the Project because many of these are already collecting sales tax nationwide, and anything that simplifies collection is a plus for them. Some national telecom companies are also supporters.
Many online retailers are against any national efforts to coordinate sales tax.
They fear this is the first step to requiring them to collect the tax. Currently, online only retailers are required to collect tax only in those few states in which they have physical presence. Internet-only retailers may be marginalized. The SSTP will need all of the support it can get as the plans are debated by state legislatures. Five states must enact legislation putting the SSTP in place before the rules become effective.