Sales tax

States would be barred from starting to require the collection and remittance sales taxes from online vendors located out of state until next year under a bill introduced by two Republicans in the Senate.

Lawmakers will consider internet sales taxes, electric and hybrid vehicle user fees, a state lottery and bonds to fund transportation projects.

As the nation’s most populous state with the largest economy, California could set the upper level benchmark for other large states such as Florida and New York that have not yet announced a sales tax remittance threshold.

Only a few of the 45 states that levy sales taxes have announced plans to begin implementation before the end of this year.

A strong rebound in oil and gas production and broad economic growth is fueling record growth in sales tax revenue, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said.

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House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., blasted the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. as having “the potential to unleash chaos for consumers and remote sellers, particularly small business sellers.”

Tuesday’s House hearing will be chaired by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who was a steadfast supporter of the previous standard under which a remote seller had to have a physical presence in a state in order to be required to collect sales taxes.

State and local governments were advised Thursday to avoid imposing burdens on out-of-state e-commerce retailers that could spark a new round of litigation as they begin implementing the Supreme Court’s June 21 South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. ruling on sales taxes.

During a webinar Thursday moderated by the National League of Cities, officials pointed out that the South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. sales tax case has been remanded by the U.S. Supreme Court back to the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Congress might provide clarity by preventing states any state from imposing retroactive liability.

Membership in the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board is voluntary, but the Supreme Court ruling may serve as an impetus for more states and e-commerce retailers to join.

Texas maintained its torrid pace of sales tax collections in June with its sixth monthly record in 2018.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and co-sponsors of a recently offered bill want to prevent businesses in their states from being forced to collect sales taxes from e-commerce transactions.

With the need for Congressional action lessened, governors and state legislatures can focus on fine tuning their own laws, officials said.

Thursday's 5-4 ruling involves a 2016 law enacted by South Dakota requiring out-of-state e-commerce retailers to collect sales tax if they have more than 200 transactions annually or $100,000 in sales within the state.

The sales tax increase will bring in an extra $30 million to cover a projected $28 million budget shortfall.

States could gain $8 billion to $33.9 billion in additional annual revenue if the high court rules in favor of South Dakota, while a loss would mean the status quo.

Rvenue soar 10.2% in May compared to a year earlier, accompanied by strong growth in oil and gas income.

Tax administrators will consult with governors and governors, in turn, will consult with their legislatures before responding to any of several possible rulings in the case by the high court, officials said.