Idaho Small Business Owner Urges Congress to Rethink Internet Sales Tax Legislation

May 22, 2014

Wayne Johnson, owner of Angler’s Habitat, a small tech-enabled business selling fly fishing supplies in Caldwell, Idaho, submitted a letter to The Idaho Press Tribune expressing his concerns with the Internet sales tax legislation currently pending in the U.S. Congress.  Johnson, who employs local residents and contributes to his local economy, explained the legislation would require online businesses to serve as tax collectors for states all around the country.

“My Idaho-based business would be forced to collect taxes for 9,600 tax jurisdictions and 45 different states even though I only have one location in Caldwell,” said Johnson. “I would also be subject to costly audits from all of these jurisdictions, which could be crippling for small businesses.”

In his letter, Johnson also calls on Congress to take time to fully understand the bill’s impact on small businesses across the nation.  In addition, he urged his Members of Congress to reject any legislation that would be place unnecessary burdens on small business owners.

To read Wayne Johnson’s letter, please visit The Idaho Press Tribune.  For more information on eBay Inc.’s position on Internet sales taxes, visit our Issues page.