Friday, 29 March 2024

Governor signs bill eliminating unfair tax advantage online retailers had over California businesses

SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring out-of-state and online retailers like eBay, Etsy or Amazon to collect sales taxes like local brick and mortar California businesses, eliminating the out-of-state and online unfair advantage.

Sen. Mike McGuire, Chair of the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance, Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation and California Treasurer Fiona Ma partnered on AB 147 – which implements the United States Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc.

This decision authorizes states to begin collecting sales and use tax from online and out-of-state retailers without a physical presence in California.

AB 147 allows California to correct the competitive advantage out-of-state businesses, who did not collect tax, had over California retailers, who did. This inequity can give a big edge to online retailers over small businesses – in many cases the competitive advantage is between 7 and 10 percent.

“The enactment of AB 147 will bring in significant revenues from out-of-state retailers to fund essential state and local services. This represents a major step forward for both California and its tax system. AB 147 will level the playing field between California retailers and their out-of-state competitors. It also reduces administrative burdens for small online retailers, so they can spend time and resources to focus on their business and not tax compliance,” said Assemblywoman Autumn R. Burke (D-Inglewood).

“This critical legislation removes the competitive advantage online and out-of-state businesses, who did not collect sales tax, had over brick and mortar California retailers, who have always collected taxes,” Senator Mike McGuire said. “Local mom and pop businesses across California have been clamoring for relief for years and this legislation levels the playing field and not only implements Wayfair effectively, but also fairly. We are grateful for Governor Newsom’s support and our partnership with Chairwoman Burke and Treasurer Ma on this important legislation.”

“This is a long time coming! I've been working on comprehensive sales tax reform since 2007 with the National Conference of State Legislatures. I’m glad we now have clarity and uniformity regarding online sellers through the Wayfair case. This new law will close this major loophole by mandating that all online retailers collect and remit all the state AND local sales taxes due and level the playing field between our brick and mortar businesses in our state,” said State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA.

The Wayfair decision made by the US Supreme Court on June 21, 2018, allows California and all other states to require out-of-state retailers to collect and remit taxes when selling property to this state’s residents. Thirty three states have already implemented the Wayfair decision, with every other state with a sales tax expected to follow.

AB 147 will take effect immediately. The requirement for online marketplaces to collect taxes on all of their sales in California will commence Oct. 1.

Upcoming Calendar

30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

Mini Calendar

loader

LCNews

Award winning journalism on the shores of Clear Lake. 

 

Newsletter

Enter your email here to make sure you get the daily headlines.

You'll receive one daily headline email and breaking news alerts.
No spam.