Retail group presents amendment for Internet sales tax bill
CARSON CITY -- Nevadans would be more likely to pay sales tax on Internet purchases if the amended version of a bill in the state Legislature becomes law.
The amendment to Senate Bill 34 would require online retailers with a real-world store or other facility in Nevada to collect sales tax on Internet transactions, a practice that is currently left to consumers who rarely track purchases, fill out the state form and send in a check to pay the tax.
The Retail Association of Nevada presented the amendment to the Assembly Committee on Taxation on Tuesday, saying the change would create a level playing field for online and real-world stores and generate as much as $16 million annually in sales tax collections.
A lobbyist for online retail giant Amazon.com and Nevada-based subsidiary Zappos.com testified in opposition to the amendment, saying it would undermine an effort to implement a national system to collect sales tax on online purchases and could prompt the company to pull its work force out of the state.
Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.
