Durbin’s Next Target: eCommerce Regulation

April 26, 2011

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the lawmaker behind the controversial amendment to regulate debit interchange fees, may soon introduce legislation that would permit states to mandate sales tax collection by Internet retailers.

“Durbin’s office declined to confirm that a new online sales tax bill was in the works, but sources close to the matter say the senator is primed to introduce legislation as early as this spring” reports Internet Retailer. “Since 2000, lawmakers have introduced similar bills in every two-year session of Congress. Privately, online taxing experts say this year’s attempt could have a higher chance of success not only because of Durbin’s leadership role, but also because states face mounting pressure to find new revenue.”

The legislation would likely mirror the Main Street Fairness Act legislation introduced last year, which would allow states that are members of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SST) to mandate most online and catalog retailers to collect sales tax regardless of the location of their physical facilities. The SST currently has 24 members, and under the organization’s guidelines, member states would split 0.75% of sales tax revenue collected on Internet and catalog transactions with the retailers that collected the tax.

Click here to read more on the proposed eCommerce tax legislation.


Related Content

 

Will Tester’s Bill to Delay Debit Swipe Fee Reform Pass? Experts Offer Predictions

Financial Sector’s Lobbying Fees for Q1 2011 Second-Highest Eve

TCF Seeks Speedy Decision in Durbin Appeal

Video: Tester- “Measure twice, cut once” – Interchange overhaul needs full study

Restaurateurs Call on Congress to Fight Big Banks’ Tactics to Halt Debit-Card Swipe Fee Reform

Letter to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon Regarding Interchange Fees

Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Google and More Unite to Fight Debit Swipe Fee Caps

NAACP Director: Group’s Stance on Durbin was “Misinterpreted”