As many of you know, 2012 has seen a lot of Congressional action on Internet sales taxes and there have been numerous attempts to impose new sales tax collection burdens on small online retailers.  Not only were there four separate pieces of legislation introduced in Congress that would require online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes in over 9600 tax jurisdictions nationwide, but there were three Congressional hearings and multiple attempts to attach Internet sales tax requirements on essential legislation, such as the National Defense Bill and the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act.

However, with the help of eBay Main Street Members and eBay users across the country, eBay along with their allies were able to stop the these bad bills from getting a vote and becoming law.  It was with your help that we were able to keep the Internet open to small businesses all across the country that are looking to the online and mobile marketplaces to not only survive, but thrive.  At a time when American consumers and small businesses are feeling the crunch, eBay believes it is important to keep small business on the Internet and give consumers greater choice and better prices.

Although we were victorious this year on Internet sales tax legislation, we predict that Congressional sponsors of the legislation and mega-billion dollar retailers will reintroduce legislation next year and make a push to have their bill discussed during the tax reform debate early next year.  eBay, along with our friends in the tech and pro-taxpayer communities, will continue to fight to ensure that any Internet sales tax legislation does not disadvantage small business online retailers.  We hope that you will continue to lend us your help and support as we enter into the new year!  Together, we can keep the Internet open to small businesses!

For more information on eBay’s position on Internet sales taxes and how you can remain involved, please click here.