Watch CBS News

Senate Passes Internet Sales Tax Bill

BOSTON (CBS) - Lawmakers in Washington are moving us ever closer to paying sales tax on the Internet.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill Monday that would require businesses to collect taxes for products sold online.

The money would go to local and state governments that are strapped for cash.

For Massachusetts, that would have meant more than $130-million last year alone.

Current law only requires retailers to charge sales taxes if they have a physical presence in a state, which means big stores like Wal-Mart and Target almost always collect taxes on the Internet.

Small retailers, along with companies like eBay and Amazon, have not been subject to that, and they're fighting it.

The bill next goes to the U.S. House where it could face opposition.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.