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No online taxes not even playing field

The Gazette Opinion Staff

Jan. 10, 2014 12:31 pm

As we begin a new year, I want to voice concern about an inequity that has existed for too long in our tax system for brick-and-mortar retailers.

Logic would tell you that having brick-and-mortar retailers collect sales tax from their customers and not doing the same for online retailers seems unfair. These same brick-and-mortar retailers pay commercial property tax in their communities. As brick-and-mortar retailers shrink, thanks to the tax subsidy given to online retailers, community revenue will shrink from lack of property tax and sales tax collections.

Retailers, big and small, welcome the opportunity to compete but not on an unfair playing field.

Jerry Meis

Iowa City

Lenoch & Cilek Ace Hardware

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