Perhaps most important, the proposed law attempts to simplify and streamline states' existing sales and use tax systems. Enter the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, a group established in March 2000 by officials from dozens of states who want to radically simplify sales and use taxes. Proposed legislation developed by the SSTP has already been introduced in several states, and Wyoming recently became the first state to enact a law based on SSTP recommendations. Among the organization's proposals are uniform definitions of what items should be taxed and a single way to calculate tax rates for items that are shipped to other states. In short, you may want to rev up your favorite shopping bot now because the days of tax-free Internet purchases are numbered.
Opinions vary widely.
A Forrester Research study indicates that many consumers are more concerned about shipping charges than about paying sales tax for Internet purchases. Add taxes to shipping costs, though, and some consumers may decide to bypass their browser and head to the mall instead. But shipping charges often offset the advantage of not having to pay sales tax. It makes sense. Anne Kandra is a contributing editor and Grace Aquino an associate editor for PC World .