JA Urges Swift Passage of Internet Sales Tax Legislation

Jewelers of America (JA) has communicated its support for the passage of Internet sales tax legislation. In an endorsement letter sent to leaders of Congress, the JA urged legislators to quickly pass the Sales Tax Fairness and Simplification Act.

The Act would permit states to require that remote sellers collect and remit sales and use taxes on catalog and internet purchases, by working in conjunction with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA), which helps harmonize states’ sales and use tax rules, reduce the paperwork burden on retailers and incorporate new technology to modernize administrative procedures. 

“The states and the business community have made great progress in simplifying state sales taxes,” the letter states. “We call on Congress to respond to their efforts by passing [the Act]. The legislation will give states that have complied with the Agreement the authority to require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax on remote sales.”

JA President and CEO Matthew A. Runci commented, “JA has been an advocate for sales tax fairness since the issue’s inception in 2002, and we will continue our efforts until Congress takes action to level the playing field between traditional jewelry businesses and Internet-only jewelry retailers.”

The letter to Congressional legislators was also signed by a group of 100 business, trade and government associations and unions, including the International Council of Shopping Centers, Retail Industry Leaders Association, JCPenney, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart.