Dear Representative,

I am a resident of ___ and want to comment on the upcoming “Marketplace Fairness Act.”

Established Industry

Although I believe that it was smart to keep internet purchases untaxed in the decades past to allow the industry to establish itself, it is now time to end this credit. The landscape has changed. The industry is established. An increasing proportion of internet users are going to shop online regardless of tax as they have become accustom to the ease, reviews, and low price as is made clear in many publications (for example PWC’s “US Multichannel shopping survey”).

Impact to Small Businesses

Much is argued about the impact on small businesses that would need to comply with a myriad of tax codes. This is a valid concern and is worth discussion. Still, there will be many opportunities for private industry to create services that handle these tax complexities. The price of such services will likely not be exorbitant because of the demand, as many services would compete for the many customers. It will be a cost, but not as significant as many are arguing.

Class Divides

Economists argue that a sales tax by its very nature is a regressive tax which impacts the poor far more than the rich. This is emphasized when only the poor pay it. That's becoming more and more the case with the internet being untaxed. People don't often consider that the internet’s “tax free” status has changed the sales tax to a complete regressive tax—those without income to afford a computer don’t have access to the “tax free” status. Implementing a tax on internet sales will ensure that the sales tax is distributed equally amongst the tax base. Let's not tax the poor at 10% and the rich at 0%.

Please vote yes on the Marketplace Fairness Act.

Thank you,