HR0139

LRB096 11754 GRL 22518 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, According to a new report from the Illinois 
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Department of Revenue, Illinois is missing out on an estimated 
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$153 million in sales tax revenue on online purchases; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Not taxing internet purchases subsidizes the 
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growth of distant companies by giving them a price advantage 
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over local stores; such companies contribute little to a 
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community's civic and economic vitality; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Such lack of taxation also undermines State and 
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local governments by reducing tax revenue for schools, police, 
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and other government services; the lack of taxes also makes a 
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regressive tax more regressive, due to the fact that only those 
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with Internet access and a credit card are able to take 
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advantage of the tax exemption; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Collecting sales taxes for multiple jurisdictions 
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is no longer as burdensome for internet retailers with the 
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advent of software that makes complying with local sales tax 
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rules relatively simple; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In addition, the National Governors Association 
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has started the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, approved by 43 
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states, which will help simplify the tax collection process by 
 


 






HR0139
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LRB096 11754 GRL 22518 r




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establishing uniform sales tax rules and definitions; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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urge the President of the United States and the United States 
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Congress to enact legislation requiring internet retailers to 
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collect sales taxes; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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presented to the President, the Speaker and Minority Leader of 
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the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and 
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Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, and the members 
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of the Illinois congressional delegation.