Ecommerce Advocate to Testify on Behalf of Small Online Retailers

July 31, 2012

Steve DelBianco, Executive Director of NetChoice, has been asked to testify tomorrow on behalf of small online retailers at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on Internet sales taxes.  Mr. DelBianco has been a longtime advocate of small online retailers and over the years he has repeatedly called on Congress to include robust small business protections in any Internet sales tax bill.

Check out some of Steve’s quotes:

“In essence, we’re seeing some members of Congress throw one of our best growth industries under the bus to pursue less than half a penny in new taxes.  Does anyone besides big-box retailers really think it’s a good idea to saddle small business owners with a new tax system?”

“Don't believe it when tax collectors say their software makes it trivial for tiny sellers to collect everyone's sales tax.  Small sellers will spend thousands of dollars making changes to their website software, plus endless time and accounting fees to handle exceptions, customer questions, and state tax audits."

“Congress often says that small businesses are the backbone of the economic recovery, but these new collection costs will break the backs of many small online businesses. This legislation fails to define safe harbors for small businesses, virtually guaranteeing that small and medium retailers will receive little help in complying with thousands of state and local tax jurisdictions.”