
Article snippet: President Trump's recent tweet about Amazon is putting the issue of online sales taxes back in the spotlight. In a tweet Wednesday criticizing the Washington Post, which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Trump called the publication "the guardian of Amazon not paying internet taxes (which they should)." It's unclear exactly what Trump meant by "internet taxes." Amazon in April started collecting sales taxes on purchases in every state that levies a sales tax. But Congress has also banned states from taxing consumer's internet access. But lawmakers and others who want states to be able to force online retailers to collect sales tax were heartened by Trump's comment. “It’s encouraging to see President Trump engage on this issue and [I] am hopeful we’ll soon be able to level the playing field for Main Street businesses,” said Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.). Noem and Sen. introduced legislation earlier this year that would allow states to require out-of-state retailers to collect their sales taxes in exchange for states simplifying their sales tax laws. The bills have bipartisan support, and the Senate easily passed a version of Enzi’s bill in 2013. But efforts to resolve the online tax issue have stalled in recent years, in part because a key House GOP chairman prefers a different solution. And it’s unclear when Congress will again consider legislation on the topic. There's a long history behind the debate. The Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that states can only requi... Link to the full article to read more