HR0893 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0893 LRB096 19861 GRL 35317 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, According to a new report from the Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois is missing out on an estimated $153 million in sales tax revenue on online purchases; and

WHEREAS, Not taxing internet purchases subsidizes the growth of distant companies by giving them a price advantage over local stores; such companies contribute little to a community's civic and economic vitality; and

WHEREAS, Such lack of taxation also undermines State and local governments by reducing tax revenue for schools, police, and other government services; the lack of taxes also makes a regressive tax more regressive, due to the fact that only those with Internet access and a credit card are able to take advantage of the tax exemption; and

WHEREAS, Collecting sales taxes for multiple jurisdictions is no longer as burdensome for internet retailers with the advent of software that makes complying with local sales tax rules relatively simple; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the National Governors Association has started the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, approved by 43 states, which will help simplify the tax collection process by establishing uniform sales tax rules and definitions; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the President of the United States and the United States Congress to enact legislation requiring internet retailers to collect sales taxes; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the President, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, and the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.