12 December 2014

MI SENATE OKS TIGHTENING OF WEB SALES TAX COLLECTION

Original Story: detroitnews.com

Lansing — Amazon.com and some other online retailers would have to collect Michigan’s 6 percent sales tax on purchases under legislation approved Thursday by the state Senate.

Backers say the bills would level the playing field because brick-and-mortar businesses already must assess the tax on customers.

The legislation approved Thursday heads to the Republican-led House for its consideration in the waning days of the legislative session. It won approval on a 21-16 vote in the GOP-controlled chamber, picking up support from Republicans and Democrats.

Wal-Mart and other stores in Michigan must collect the sales tax when selling goods over the Internet.

The state Treasury Department estimates that $482 million in revenue from remote sales went uncollected in the last fiscal year. The bills could raise in the ballpark of $50 million a year.

It may be no coincidence the bills are advancing now. Lawmakers could throw taxes on Internet sales into the mix during talks over committing at least $1.2 billion a year more to roads and other transportation infrastructure.

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