Residual Forces

MN’s Revenue Dept is entering the tax increase game and protectionist arena.

Minnesotans could soon be paying sales taxes on goods purchased online.

The state is teaming with 19 others to persuade Congress to pass a bill requiring all online retailers to collect state taxes. Minnesota estimates it could earn approximately $300 million per year if internet sales taxes were collected. That amount is equal to the cost of building another Xcel Energy Center.

Larry Wilkie of the Minnesota Department of Revenue says states are missing out on the extra revenue. “We’re going to get other states on board,” he says. “The states have no choice, we have to do something.”

Currently, out-of-state retailers to not charge Minnesota sales tax, even though a customer may reside here. That is one of the benefits of online shopping, some say.

However, established retailers say they’re losing sales to online sellers who are able to offer a lower price without the tax.

I got a few ideas for the Dept of Revenue

• If our state’s sales tax is a barrier to competition, maybe we should think about lowering our sales tax.
• How about non-(MN)residents pay sales tax and residents don’t?

Yeah, that is brilliant. Punish the visitors! … Oh, wait, that doesn’t work, people will stop coming here.

… Ah, um, … here try this:

• Non-(MN)residents pay 10% sales tax when they are in MN.

Yeah, let’s make sure we punish them more get our fair share out of them. Just think we could raise hundreds of millions more money for us to spend on “fun stuff” needed programs.

Sounds pretty stupid doesn’t it?

Gosh darn it, we have enough money. All we do is talk about spending more money from the new revenue (from either unexpected revenue or new tax increases) which leads me to believe that we are adequately funding our existing government which is working somewhat acceptably (somewhat). If all they can do is talk about the new spending right now, instead of “catching up” or paying for what we already have(or usually have as they always scream and shout about during budget battle time), I don’t think the state needs new taxes or more revenue.

WE DON’T HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM Sound familiar?

I am plain sick and tired of my own government bragging to me about how they will spend all the extra money they are going to take away from me. I think I am going to start charging the State a “handling fee” for taxing me. Why not? I should be able to recoup my costs for dealing financially with them. If nothing else, maybe I could charge them for my anger management classes. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!