Tester, Wyden, Merkley, Shaheen, Hassan Introduce Legislation to Push Back Against Nationwide Internet Sales Tax

Senators Stand with Small Businesses and Oppose Marketplace Fairness Act

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) are taking a stand against a nationwide online sales tax.

The senators representing states without a sales tax introduced a resolution opposing a bill that would require businesses selling products or services over the internet to collect sales tax, even if the seller is located in a state without a sales tax.

“Passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act would harm the economy of the United States and place burdensome and bureaucratic policies on small businesses and entrepreneurs,” the resolution reads. “It should not be the role of small businesses and entrepreneurs to help shore up the finances of states and localities through an online sales tax.”

Montana, Oregon and New Hampshire join two other states without a sales tax.

“The Marketplace Fairness Act would overwhelmingly benefit larger corporate entities at the expense of small businesses and entrepreneurs,” the resolution continues.

Under the so-called Marketplace Fairness Act, small businesses and retailers that sell their products or services online would be forced to collect sales taxes for nearly 10,000 other states, cities and municipalities.

The text of the resolution can be found HERE.