Congressman Istook proposes Internet sales tax

Tuesday, October 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma Congressman Ernest Istook is hoping to get an Internet tax system online. Istook has written a bill permitting states to enforce sales tax laws on internet merchants with gross sales of $5-million a year.

If the bill passes, anyone shopping on-line would pay the same tax they would pay in a traditional store. Istook says the tax would help states and cities missing out on millions of dollars a year in tax revenue due to Internet commerce.

Online shopper Dan Mayo, "I think it's fair. I enjoy the fact that I haven't had to. Obviously that's great. But I see the reasoning if they do want to go through with that."

The bill is not expected to be up for consideration for about a year.