In the wake of the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court South Dakota v. Wayfair case, most states were quick to utilize the new authority to collect online sales taxes, leveling the playing field for community-based retailers. By the end of 2019, all states with sales taxes except Florida and Missouri have adopted policies to collect remote sales taxes from foreign and out-of-state-sellers.
In an effort to spur action by the two holdout states, ICSC’s Vice President of Government Relations Jennifer Platt participated in a press conference at the State Capitol in Tallahassee, FL this week with representatives from the Florida Retail Federation, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida TaxWatch and the bills’ sponsors, Senator Joe Gruters and Representative Chuck Clemons.
Jennifer Platt (ICSC) participates in a press conference at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee.
While there is movement on this issue, ICSC is calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to step-up to support this effort, enforcing Florida’s sales tax fairly across all sales, no matter if they take place on Main Street or the internet.
In addition to the legislation in Florida, Missouri also has a chance to join the ranks of states collecting sales and use tax from online sales. Under SB 529, remote sellers (effective Oct. 1, 2020) and marketplace facilitators (effective Jan. 1, 2022) would be required to collect and remit sales and use taxes when they make $100,000 or more in sales into Missouri.
The outlook in Missouri is hopeful, but vocal support from ICSC members to state elected officials will help bolster ICSC’s advocacy efforts in Florida and Missouri. For more information please contact Global Public Policy at gpp@icsc.com.