Daines Fights back against Internet Sales Tax

Press Release

"This is a $23 billion tax increase, taken right out of the pockets of American consumers," Daines stated following today's hearing. "The bottom line is this: the internet is a laboratory of economic freedom. We don't need the federal government intruding on that right now--we're at a time when we need to be creating incentives to grow jobs, to grow businesses, instead of putting more taxes and regulations on the internet."

Daines also noted how the online sales tax represents another way that the federal government is working to impose more burdens on Montana small businesses, noting that proposals like the so-called "Marketplace Fairness Act" could result in small businesses being forced to collect sales tax on behalf of 9,600 cities and states nationwide.

"Businesses are fearful of their government--the regulations that are coming, the auditors that are coming," Daines said. "They are spending so much time on compliance and trying to beat back this big bear of big government, instead of focusing on what they do best: ideas, creating jobs, creating more revenues. The last thing we need is the federal government intruding on these businesses and adding now 9,600 different tax jurisdictions and putting that on the backs of small businesses across this country."

Daines has been outspoken in his opposition to the "Marketplace Fairness Act" since its introduction and passage in the U.S. Senate, and has led several efforts to educate other members of Congress and the public about the harms of the online sales tax. In June of last year, Daines led a rally at the U.S. Capitol in opposition to the internet tax, and last month, held a Capitol Hill briefing with Montana Attorney General Tim Fox to discuss the dangers of the online sales tax.

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