Tester to Senate leaders: Don’t expect my vote for internet sales tax bill

Senator says Marketplace Fairness Act isn’t fair at all

(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester told Senate leaders today not to expect his support for an online sales tax bill that burdens Montana businesses.

Tester wrote Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to double down on his opposition to the so-called Marketplace Fairness Act that would require small businesses to collect sales tax on behalf of other states and local governments when selling products over the internet. Small businesses would then be forced to act as tax collectors for others states and remit those sales tax revenues to the state or locality in which the customer resides.

“The Marketplace Fairness Act isn’t about fairness at all, it’s about forcing Montana’s small businesses to help other states balance their budgets,” Tester said. “Congress shouldn’t be adding nonsense regulations, it should be supporting small businesses and helping grow our economy.”

Under the measure, businesses in Montana could be forced to collect sales taxes for nearly 10,000 other states, cities and municipalities. The State of Montana, which has no sales tax, would not see any increase in revenue.

Tester’s letter to Senators McConnell and Reid is available online HERE.