County Reaction to Supreme Court Decision to Allow Collection of Online Sales Tax

• By: NYSAC
• On: 06/21/2018 11:41:24
• In: Press Releases

 
Counties and New York State have seen stagnation or reductions in sales tax revenues due to a combination of factors, including the Great Recession that began in 2008 and a dramatic increase in online retail activity in which sales tax collection is not required. Brick and mortar retail stores in communities across the state have seen a reduction in retail activity, with some closing and laying off New Yorkers who work in their stores and live in our communities.
  
In order to deliver essential public services, counties rely on sales tax receipts to offset property taxes, while also providing a significant revenue source for cities, towns, school districts and villages through sales tax sharing arrangements. Today's ruling has implications for our local governments and their ability to best serve our communities.
 
Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Counties (NYSAC), said,
“Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a common sense, practical, modern application of taxation to the new economy. The Court held that requiring a remote seller to collect and remit sales tax to the state where the purchase was made is not an undue burden on interstate commerce, and as such, states have the right to require the tax for an online, out of state, sale.

According to the court, ‘it is an inescapable fact of modern commercial life that a substantial amount of business is transacted with no need for physical presence within a state in which business is conducted.'
 
At a time when nearly every cent of property tax collected locally is used to fund state-mandated services, the sales tax is the only remaining revenue that can used to fund critical life-saving local public safety programs, infrastructure, and other programs for seniors and veterans.”
 
NYSAC President, MaryEllen Odell said,
“My position has always been that sales taxes should be a level playing field. Today's decision creates a level playing field for our Main Street economies. I know small local businesses have felt they can't compete against global interests online as discounts and no taxation have been the rule. This decision will help our local businesses.”
 
For more information on NYSAC's advocacy on internet sales tax, see:
 
Internet Sales Tax: Why it Matters to Counties (2/2018)

Fact Sheet: Modernize Internet Sales Tax 

Media Contact: Mark LaVigne, Deputy Director, mlavigne@nysac.org