Shaheen and Hassan denounce Trump’s support for internet sales tax

The U.S. Department of Justice recently filed a legal brief in support to the Supreme Court

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) denounced the Trump Administration’s support for internet sales tax collection.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a legal brief to the Supreme Court in support of efforts to impose mandatory internet sales tax collection. Last year, David Lahme, president and co-founder at Tradeport USA in Somersworth, was one of 20 sellers as part of eBay’s Annual Advocacy Day who held meetings with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill to advocate against an internet sales tax.

“It’s very disappointing to see the Trump administration back an internet sales tax that would do real harm to New Hampshire’s economy and impose a very heavy burden on our small businesses,” said Shaheen in a statement. “If this policy were to be implemented, New Hampshire’s small businesses would have to purchase costly software and navigate constantly changing tax jurisdictions, tax rates and tax holidays all across America. This is just unacceptable and could force small companies in New Hampshire out of business. That’s why I continue to work across the aisle to oppose this terrible policy and I urge the Trump administration to reconsider its position.”

“I strongly oppose any effort to create an internet sales tax and force New Hampshire small businesses to collect sales tax for other states,” said Hassan in a statement. “The Trump Administration should reverse its support for this misguided policy and instead work with us to cut red tape and make it easier for New Hampshire small businesses to compete in e-commerce.”

An internet sales tax would force New Hampshire businesses to collect sales tax for 46 states and 9,600 taxing jurisdictions across the country, according to the senators' statements.