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Utah and other states are facing budget deficits, and some of those states are looking to the Internet to help gain revenue.
Most Internet transactions are NOT subject to sales tax. And states say that's costing them money.
A 2001 study for the Utah-based Institute for State Studies predicted annual losses up to 45 (B)billion dollars by 2006. By that count, California last year lost one-point-seven-five (B) billion in revenues, while Texas and New York followed with about one billion dollars each.
Utah Tax Commissioner R. Bruce Johnson hopes within a year at least ten states will create one simple statewide sales tax rate for Internet sales. He has tried to enlist Wyoming, North Dakota, Ohio, Michigan, Florida and North Carolina in his campaign.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
