Main Street Fairness Act Introduced, JA 'Applauds'

(IDEX Online News) –  Bills encouraging U.S. states to require out-of- state sellers (including online and catalog retailers) to collect sales tax were introduced to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Friday. Supporters say the legislation would help level the playing field between brick-and-mortar and online retailers.

Internet and remote sellers are not required to pay sales tax since 1992, when the Supreme Court made a ruling that barred states from requiring that remote sellers collect sales taxes.

According to Jewelers of America (JA), the U.S. trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace, the Supreme Court ruling gave online businesses a tax advantage over brick-and-mortar businesses.

“Jewelers of America applauds the efforts to level the playing field between traditional retailers and their online counterparts with Friday’s introduction of the Main Street Fairness Act,” says President and CEO Matthew A. Runci. “The heightened activity around the issue demonstrates that momentum is building for sales tax fairness.”

In June, JA launched a national campaign for sales tax fairness.