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Womack Backs GOP’s Anti-Internet Sales Tax Stance

2 min read

LITLTE ROCK – A Republican congressman from Arkansas who has advocated for legislation that would limit tax-free shopping online said Tuesday he agrees with a state GOP stance opposing any sales tax imposed by the federal government, saying he doesn’t believe the two positions are in conflict.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack said he agrees the with the state GOP platform opposing any federal tax on Internet sales, approved at the state party’s convention in Hot Springs on Saturday.

Womack, a two-term lawmaker from northwest Arkansas, has been a vocal supporter of legislation that would empower states to collect sales taxes from Internet purchases.

“I join the (Republican Party of Arkansas) in opposition to any internet sales tax imposed by the federal government,” Womack, who was not available for an interview, said in a statement released by his office. “I also oppose the federal restrictions and regulations that prevent states from enforcing their existing tax laws and collecting their due – not new – sales tax revenue.”

Under the Marketplace Fairness Act co-sponsored by Womack, states could require out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes when they sell products over the Internet, in catalogs, and through radio and TV ads. The sales taxes would be sent to the states where a shopper lives. Current law says states can only require retailers to collect sales taxes if the merchant has a physical presence in the state.

The supporters of the legislation include Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation’s largest retailer, which is headquartered in Womack’s district.

Supporters have said it would level the playing field between brick-and-mortar stores and online companies. It has faced opposition from online retailers and anti-tax groups.

Delegates at the convention on Saturday had split over whether the platform stance – approved by a voice vote – would be in conflict with the legislation sponsored by Womack.

A spokeswoman for Womack said the congressman didn’t see the GOP position as conflicting with his advocacy of the Marketplace Fairness Act. The Senate last year approved the legislation, which is pending before the House Judiciary Committee.

“He would have a problem with the federal government imposing a sales tax,” Spokeswoman Claire Burghoff wrote in an email. “That’s not what the Marketplace Fairness Act does. MFA enables states to enforce existing state sales and use tax laws.”

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast or distributed.)
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