Business

NC group joins movement to require all websites to charge state sales tax

The Alliance for Main Street Fairness, which has branches in several states, said not all companies are doing so, which creates a less even playing field for local businesses.

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GARNER, N.C. — A group of North Carolina citizens is lobbying Congress to require companies not based in the state who sell online to start charge state sales tax.
The Alliance for Main Street Fairness, which has branches in several states, said not all companies are doing so, which creates a less even playing field for local businesses. 

"People come into the store. They look at the appliances. They go online. They find it cheaper. The cheaper is (because) they're saving $70, $80, $100 on sales tax," Alliance for Main Street Fairness spokesman Christopher Dean said Sunday. 

The issue affects businesses like Garner TV and Appliance, which doesn't have an online store.

"It's a huge, huge impact on our business that we worry about every day and what we can do to stop it," the company's Vice President of Operations, Randy Pleasant, said.

Dean said the while the problem might just sound like a bad deal for local businesses, buyers could be hurt as well because the government could become aware that they didn't pay sales tax on items if they are audited. 

"There could be serious implications down the road. Listen, nobody loves paying taxes. Nobody likes collecting taxes. But it is the law," he said. 

The legislation the Alliance is working on in Washington is in its infancy.

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