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Pa. Pursues Internet Sales Taxes

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(credit: Getty Images)

(credit: Getty Images)

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Reporting Tony Romeo

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By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – If you’re like most people, you probably did a lot of shopping online in 2011. Well, now, it’s time to pay the piper (or, in this case, the tax man).

State Revenue Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell says so-called “remote” sellers, who sell by Internet, phone or mail with offices, sales people, delivery trucks or other physical presence in Pennsylvania were supposed to collect sales taxes as of Wednesday, “but we have heard from a number of e-commerce businesses that they are willing to comply with their sales tax obligations, but from a technical and operational standpoint, the February first deadline just wasn’t practical.” So, that deadline has been extended to September.

Brassell reminds people that, when taxes are not collected on remote sales, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to pay what’s called “use” tax. And, this year, there will be a line on state income tax forms to declare use tax that is owed.

“It is a voluntary compliance initiative. However, as with any tax, if ever the department comes across information that a liability was not accurately reported, we have the authority to go back and pursue penalties and interest.”

Brassell says it’s estimated that if everyone complied with the law, Pennsylvania would take in an estimated $380 million dollars more this calendar year.

View Comments
  • Julieann Wozniak

    Not paying. If the shale gas industry does not have to pay a severance tax while destroying Pennsylvania, neither am I.

  • RetMSgt

    If it was purchased out-of-state, it’s not a sales tax – it’s an import duty.

    Pennsylvania has no jurisdictional authority to tax out-of-state purchases, and the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from imposing import duties.

  • Jackson Brown

    i Love Delaware

  • Bixnoodle2

    P a., you’re not getting the 60 ce nts I owe.

    • Zzbar

      Come on Dude, pay your tax. Send check for 60 cents. Cost of check, 25 cents. Cost of tax 60 cents. Cost of stamp 45 cents. $1.30 pay up.

  • Bixnoodle

    Pa., you’re not getting the 60 cents I owe.

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