Joint Letter Says Government Tax Policy Should Not Disrupt Free Market Competition

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a joint letter sent yesterday to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, hundreds of organizations that collectively represent more than three million American businesses and organizations – large and small – called for immediate action on the long overdue issue of marketplace fairness. 

Citing more than 20 years of inaction and the Supreme Court's recent decision affirming that this is a matter for Congress to address, the letter urges Congress "to make the 2013 holiday shopping season the last where Main Street businesses must compete at a government-created price disadvantage."

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Marketplace Fairness Act last May in a broad, bipartisan vote.   Going back to 1994, the issue of marketplace fairness has had more than 30 hearings in both the House and Senate, including hearings before the House Judiciary Committee in both 2011 and 2012.

The full text of the letter, which was signed by organizations ranging from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, in Goodlatte's home state, is below:

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January 07, 2014

The Honorable Robert W. GoodlatteChairmanThe Committee on the JudiciaryU.S. House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Goodlatte:

On behalf of the undersigned businesses and organizations, we are writing to start off the new year to urge immediate action on legislation to create marketplace fairness and make the 2013 holiday shopping season the last where Main Street businesses must compete at a government-created price disadvantage. The recent decision by the United States Supreme Court to decline granting certiorari for two cases that challenged a New York State statute only highlights the need for Congressional action. We applaud your "Basic Principles on Remote Sales Tax" principles released on September 18 and now urge you to turn these principles into legislative language and make this issue a top priority for the Judiciary Committee in 2014.

In the 1992 Quill Corp. v. North Dakota case, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote that "the underlying issue [of whether remote sellers should be required to collect sales taxes] is not only one that Congress may be better qualified to resolve, but also one that Congress has the ultimate power to resolve." More than twenty years later, the Court's recent refusal to revisit the legal question, ironically announced on Cyber Monday, reaffirms their 1992 direction that this is an issue that Congress must address.

Online shopping is popular with consumers and sellers alike. The rapid growth of e-commerce should benefit online sellers as well as Main Street businesses that also sell online. However, the special treatment of remote sellers distorts this market and puts many local brick-and-mortar businesses at a competitive disadvantage. IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark reports that online shopping this Cyber Monday leapt by 20.6 percent over last year. This incredible growth underscores the importance of Congressional action to ensure government tax policy does not disrupt basic free market competition. 

Legislation that levels the playing field while establishing important protections for businesses and consumers will ensure a healthy and competitive marketplace for decades to come.  We believe it is crucial for Congress to address this problem this year to protect millions of jobs.  And, as Dr. Art Laffer's recent study found, when Congress fixes this problem it could help create 1.5 million new jobs and generate $563 billion in GDP growth in the next decade.  

In closing, we appreciate the deliberative manner in which you have addressed the issue of how to modernize our sales tax collection system for the digital economy, and we urge you to make legislating on this issue a top priority for your Committee by moving a bill in early 2014.  We stand ready to work with you and your staff to help translate your seven guiding principles into legislation that will provide meaningful simplifications for remote sellers and create a level playing field for all retailers. Thank you for your leadership on this and many important issues to our economy and country. 

Sincerely,

NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONSAmerican Apparel and Footwear AssociationAmerican Beverage LicenseesAmerican Booksellers AssociationAmerican Farm Bureau FederationAmerican Independent Business AllianceAmerican Lighting AssociationAmerican Specialty Toy Retailing AssociationAmerican Supply AssociationAmerican Veterinary Medical AssociationAssociation for Christian RetailAutomotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA)California Association of College StoreCampus Stores of New EnglandCertified Commercial Investment Member InstituteCollege Stores Association of North CarolinaConsumer Electronics AssociationConsumer Electronics Retailers AssociationFood Marketing InstituteHeating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI)Independent Running Retailer AssociationInstitute of Real Estate ManagementInternational Council of Shopping CentersInternational Downtown AssociationInternational Economic Development CouncilJewelers of AmericaMiddle Atlantic College StoresMidwest Independent Booksellers AssociationNAIOP, Commercial Real Estate Development AssociationNAMM, National Association of Music MerchantsNational Association of Chain Drug StoresNational Association of College StoresNational Association of Electrical DistributorsNational Association of Real Estate Investment TrustsNational Association of RealtorsNational Association of Wholesaler-DistributorsNational Bicycle Dealers AssociationNational Grocers AssociationNational Home Furnishings AssociationNational Retail FederationNational School Supply & Equipment AssociationNational Sporting Goods AssociationNorth American Retail Dealers AssociationNorthwest Tire Dealers AssociationOutdoor Industry Association (OIA)Pet Industry Joint Advisory CouncilProfessional Beauty AssociationReal Estate RoundtableRealtors Land InstituteRetail Industry Leaders AssociationSoccer Dealer AssociationSociety of Industrial and Office RealtorsSouthwest Association of College BookstoresTri-State Bookstore AssociationU.S. Chamber of CommerceWorld Floor Covering Association

STATE / LOCAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONSAlabama College Bookstore AssociationAlabama Retail AssociationAlaska Veterinary Medical AssociationAlliance of Wisconsin RetailersArizona Retailers AssociationArkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants AssociationAssociation of Washington BusinessCalifornia Association of College StoresCalifornia Business Properties AssociationSouthern California Independent Booksellers AssociationCalifornia Retailers AssociationCalifornia Veterinary Medical AssociationCampus Stores of New EnglandCarolinas Food Industry CouncilCollege Stores Association of North CarolinaCollege Stores Association of New York StateColorado Retail CouncilColorado Veterinary Medical AssociationConnecticut Retail Merchants AssociationDelaware Veterinary Medical AssociationEconomic Alliance of Snohomish County, WA The El Dorado Hills CA Chamber of CommerceThe Elgin IL Chamber of CommerceFlorida Association of College StoresFlorida Chamber of CommerceFlorida Retail FederationGeorgia Association of College StoresGeorgia Retail AssociationGeorgia Veterinary Medical AssociationGreat Lakes Independent Booksellers AssociationIdaho Retailers AssociationIdaho Veterinary Medical AssociationIllinois Association of College StoresIllinois Retail Merchants AssociationIllinois State Veterinary Medical AssociationIndiana Association of College StoresIndiana Retail CouncilIndiana Veterinary Medical AssociationIowa Retail FederationIowa Veterinary Medical AssociationKansas Chamber of CommerceKentucky Retail FederationKentucky Veterinary Medical AssociationLocal First ArizonaLos Angeles Area Chamber of CommerceLouisiana Retailers AssociationLouisiana Veterinary Medical AssociationMaine Merchants AssociationMaine Veterinary Medical AssociationMaryland Retailers AssociationMassachusetts Veterinary Medical AssociationMichigan Association of College StoresMichigan Retailers AssociationMichigan Veterinary Medical AssociationMinnesota Business PartnershipMinnesota Chamber of CommerceMinnesota Retail AssociationMinnesota Veterinary Medical AssociationMissouri Retailers AssociationMountains and Plains Independent Booksellers AssociationNaperville Area Chamber of CommerceNebraska Retail FederationNebraska Veterinary Medical AssociationNevada Veterinary Medical AssociationNew Atlantic Independent Booksellers AssociationNew England Independent Booksellers AssociationNew Jersey Retail Merchants AssociationNew Jersey Veterinary Medical AssociationNew Mexico Retail AssociationNorth Carolina Retail Merchants AssociationNorth Carolina Veterinary Medical AssociationNorth Dakota Retail AssociationNorthern California Independent Booksellers AssociationNorthwest College Bookstore Association (WA, OR, AK, MT)Oak Ridge Chamber of CommerceOhio Association of College StoresOhio Council of Retail MerchantsOklahoma Veterinary Medical AssociationPacific Northwest Booksellers AssociationPennsylvania Retailers' AssociationRetail Association of MississippiRetail Association of NevadaRetail Council of New York StateRetail Merchants of HawaiiRetailers Association of MassachusettsRhode Island Retail FederationRocky Mountain Skyline Bookstore AssociationSeattle Metropolitan Chamber of CommerceSioux Falls Area Chamber of CommerceSouth Carolina Association of College StoresSouth Carolina Association of VeterinariansSouth Carolina Retail Merchants AssociationSouth Dakota Retailers AssociationSouthern Independent Booksellers AllianceTennessee Association of College StoresTennessee Retail AssociationTennessee Veterinary Medical AssociationTexas Retailers AssociationThe State Chamber of OklahomaTri-City Regional Chamber of CommerceTri-State Bookstore Association (ND, SD & MN)Tri-State Jewelers AssociationTwin Cities Metro Independent Business AllianceUtah Food Industry AssociationUtah Retail Merchants AssociationUtah Veterinary Medical AssociationVermont Retail AssociationVirginia Retail Merchants AssociationVirginia Veterinary Medical AssociationWashington Retail AssociationWashington State Motorsports Dealers Association (WSMDA)Washington State Veterinary Medical AssociationWest Virginia Retailers AssociationWest Virginia Veterinary Medical AssociationWisconsin Association of College StoresWisconsin Veterinary Medical AssociationWyoming Retail AssociationWyoming Veterinary Medical Association

COMPANIESAbbell Associates, Chicago, ILA Cleaner Place, Oklahoma City, OKAcadia Realty Trust, White Plains, NYAmazon.com, Seattle, WAAutoZone, Memphis, TNBadcock Home Furniture, Mulberry, FLBalliet's, LLC, Oklahoma City, OKBarnes and Noble, New York, NYBeall's, Inc., Bradenton, FLBed, Bath, & Beyond, Union, NJBelpre Motor Sales, Belpre, OHBen Bridge Jewelers, Seattle, WABest Buy Co., Inc., Richfield, MNBlake Hunt Ventures, Inc., Danville, CABook Nook, Monroe, MIThe Brumby Chair Co., Marietta, GABrandsMart U.S.A., Hollywood, FLBrooks Running Company, Seattle, WABucksbaum Retail Properties, Inc., Chicago, ILBuild-A-Bear Workshop(R), Saint Louis, MOCamelot Retail Consulting Group, Wichita, KSCardinal Camera, Lansdale, PACardi's Furniture, Swansea, MACascade Designs, Seattle, WACBL & Associates Properties, Inc., Chattanooga, TNCencor Realty Services, Dallas, TXChesterfield Blue Valley, LLC, St. Louis, MOThe CortiGilchrist Partnership, LLC, San Diego, CADan's Camera City, Allentown, PADavid Hocker and Associates, Louisville, KYDavidsons, Roanoke, VADDR Corp., Beachwood, OHDemos.org, New York, NYDick's Sporting Goods, Coraopolis, PADLC Management Corp., Tarrytown, NYDonahue Schriber Realty Group, Costa Mesa, CAEDENS, Columbia, SCEvergreen Devco, Inc., Glendale, CAExOfficio, Seattle, WAFairfield Corp., Battle Creek, MIFar Bank Enterprises, Bainbridge Island, WAFederal Realty Investment Trust, Rockville, MDFedTax, Norwalk, CTFollett Corporation, River Grove, ILFoot Locker, Inc., New York, NYForest City Enterprises, Inc., Cleveland, OHGap Inc., San Francisco, CAGarrison Pacific Properties, San Rafael, CAGeneral Growth Properties, Chicago, ILGinn SolutionsGivens Books and Little Dickens, Lynchburg, VAGlimcher Realty Trust, Columbus, OHThe Greeby Companies, Inc., Chicago, ILHart Realty Advisers, Inc., Simsbury, CTHephner TV and Electronics, Wichita, KSThe Hocker Group, Louisville, KYThe Home Depot, Inc.The Howard Group, Albany, NYHouston Jewelry, Houston, TXHutensky Capital Partners, Hartford, CTHy-Vee Inc., Des Moines, IAInland Real Estate Corporation, Oak Brook, IlJC Penney, Plano, TXJo-Ann Stores, Inc., Hudson, OHKemper Development Company, Bellevue, WAKimco Realty Corporation, New Hyde Park, NYThe King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UTThe Kroger Co., Cincinnati, OHL. Michael Foley and Associates, LLC, La Jolla, CALarmon Photo Inc., Abington, PALarson Binkley, Inc., Kansas City, MOLewis Electronics, Cleveland, OHLimited Brands, Columbus, OHLowes Companies, Inc., Mooresville, NCThe Macerich Company, Santa Monica, CAMacy's, Inc, Cincinnati, OHMalcolm Riley and Associates, Los Angeles, CAMarketing Developments, Inc. MIMarmot Mountain LLC, Rohnert Park, CAMarshall Music Co., Lansing, MIMeijer, Walker, MIMentor TV, Mentor, OHMichaels Electrical Supply Corp., Lynbrook, NYMonte Cristo Bookshop, New London, CTMy Little Red Wagon, Hudson, OHNordstrom, Inc., Seattle, WAThe Neiman Marcus Group, IncPealers Flowers, Camp Hill, PAPennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, Philadelphia, PAPetco, Inc., San Diego, CAPlanning Developments, Inc. MIPoint of View Farm, Inc., Bengall, NYThe Pratt Company, Mill Valley, CAPrince Books, Norfolk, VARakuten.com Shopping (formerly Buy.com)The Rappaport Companies, McLean, VARegency Centers, Jacksonville, FLREI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), Kent, WAReininga Corporation, Healdsburg, CARobert M. Sides Family Music Center, Williamsport, PARMResources, LLC, Ann Arbor, MIRosen's of Maine, Bucksport, MESafeway, Inc., Pleasanton, CASears Holdings Corporation, Hoffman Estates, ILThe Seayco Group, Bentonville, AKThe Sembler Company, St. Petersburg, FLSimms Fishing Products, Bozeman, MTSimon Property Group, Indianapolis, INStafford Properties, Inc., Atlanta, GAStaples, Inc., Framingham, MASteiner + Associates LLC, Columbus, OHStirling Properties, Covington, LATanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., Greensboro, NCTarget Corporation, Minneapolis, MNTaubman Centers, Bloomfield Hills, MIThe Timberland Company, Boston, MATractor Supply Company, Brentwood, TNTrucks Unique, Albuquerque, NMVPI Commercial Realty, LLC, Knoxville, TNWal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, ARWallace Properties, Inc., Bellevue, WAWDP Partners, LLC, Phoenix, AZWatermark Books and Cafe, Wichita, KSWeingarten Realty Investors, Houston TXThe Weitzman Group, Dallas, TXWest Marine, Inc., Watsonville, CAWestern Development Corporation, Washington, DCWestfield, LLC, Los Angeles, CAWiley Office Furniture, Springfield, ILWilliams Ski and Patio, Highland Park, ILWine Cellar Innovations, Cincinnati, OHWolfe Properties, LLC, St. Louis, MOWoolrich, Inc., Woolrich, PAZumiez, Inc., Lynwood, WA

The Marketplace Fairness Coalition is comprised of businesses of every size, sector, and channel of product distribution, located in every state throughout the country. Visit us at www.marketplacefairnessnow.org.

SOURCE Marketplace Fairness Coalition

RELATED LINKShttp://www.marketplacefairnessnow.org