On March 10, 2015 a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 with the aim of giving states the ability to collect sales taxes from all retailers in return for simplifying their laws.

Many believe the states are being drained of revenue by existing law that requires a physical presence in the state before a retailer has to collect sales taxes.  So the local retailer has to collect the tax and Amazon does not.  The taxes are in fact due, they just have to be reported and paid by the consumer (yeah like that will happen).

In any case, sellers with stores and warehouses in CT, NY, and other states are at a competitive price disadvantage because they charge sales tax and the internet competitors do not.

The MFA gives states the power to compel online retailers to collect sales tax at the time of purchase.  After all, that is what local retailers are already required to do.

Another provision in the law would require CT, NY and all other states to simplify their sales tax laws to be able to take advantage of the law.  Trust me, the current sales tax system is a bureaucratic nightmare and it should be fixed.

This bill has surfaced multiple times in various formats, however it will eventually happen and change is coming.