Kentucky Congressman Speaks Out Against MFA

Representative Thomas Massie (R) of Kentucky is taking a strong stance against the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013.  Earlier today, he released the following statement on various social media outlets: "Tonight after votes I'll be leading a special order speech against the Internet Sales Tax." His speech is expected to last thirty minutes.

According to United Liberty, a group blog that supports free markets and limited government, the "so-called 'Marketplace Fairness Act' legislation … would turn online retailers into tax collecting agents for 45 states and more than 9,600 jurisdictions." The blog states that MFA is "being pushed by mostly traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and tax-hungry state government…."

United Liberty also notes that most conservative groups are against MFA "because they correctly view it as a tax hike and a burdensome new regulation that could put small, mom-and-pop retailers out of business."

Proponents of Marketplace Fairness take a different stance. Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Tim Johnson (D-SD), who sponsored the bill, point out that it would give states the right to collect (or not collect) "sales and use taxes that are already owed under State law."

A number of big businesses--notably Amazon--are in favor of MFA. Even some small businesses support the measure. Yet Rep. Massie is not alone in his criticism of remote sales tax. EBay has taken a strong stance against it, as has the National Taxpayers Union.

Learn more about the Marketplace Fairness Act and sales tax changes.