Idaho Considers Taxing Internet Sales
What’s become an annual, unsuccessful push for Idaho to tax Internet sales got started in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
The latest bill was discussed on Monday.
Similar bills have failed the last four years
Proponents say it’s only fair to tax Internet sales, because not doing so puts brick-and-mortar businesses at a 6 percent disadvantage, the rate of the state’s sales tax.
Some lawmakers want to join a national effort to voluntarily tax Internet sales, at least until Congress acts to require it.
But it’s been a tough slog, since so many of Idaho’s lawmakers don’t like taxes, even if the debate is framed in terms of tax fairness.
One thing that’s changed this year is, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter came out in favor, at least in concept.
