HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 039-2013 Resolution No. 39-13
A Resolution for Local Government Support for Federal Legislation on Streamlined Sales and Use
Tax and Opposition to Additional Requirements Mandating State Collection of
Telecommunications Taxes
Whereas, rapid growth in interstate commerce has complicated state and local government efforts
to collect legally authorized sales and use taxes on remote transactions representing a significant
loss of state and local government resources; and
Whereas, the University of Tennessee Center for Business and Economic Research estimates that
state and local governments lost$11.4 billion in sales tax on e-commerce in 2012 with South
Dakota losing an estimated $60 million; and
Whereas, the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP) adopted as its original mission the following
statement: "The Streamlined Sales Tax Project will develop measures to design, test and implement
a sales and use tax system that radically simplifies sales and use taxes"; and
Whereas, Congress is considering legislation to provide states with authority to require out-of-state
sellers to collect and remit sales and use taxes on remote transactions attributable to those states;
and
Whereas,the proposed requirements for state collection and administration of local
telecommunications taxes are contrary to local control and propose "federalizing" traditionally
local tax matters; and
Whereas, the City of Brookings opposes federal efforts to curb the ability of local officials to collect
local telecommunications taxes and oppose federal proposed requirements for state collection and
administration;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that City of Brookings supports efforts by states to streamline and
simplify their sales and use tax collection and administration systems; and
Be It Further Resolved that the City of Brookings commends Congress on recognizing the
importance of the issue and introducing legislation that would grant states the authority they need
to require sellers, regardless of location, to collect sales and use taxes owed to them; and
Be It Further Resolved that Sales Tax Revenue from e-commerce is needed to replace federal
funding for local government infrastructure that has been eliminated.
Passed and approved this 23rd day of April, 2013.
CITY OF BROOKINGS, SD
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A Tim Reed, Mayor
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ornes, City Clerk