An Internet sales tax bill that many may find disappointing advanced through a Senate subcommittee today on a fast track that may get it passed before the Legislative session ends.
Under this bill -- the latest version of legislation that's been trying for passage for 10 years -- Internet companies that chalk up at least $10,000 in Florida sales every year would have to register with the state, collect the sales tax from buyers, and send it all to Tallahassee.
But it won’t be the billion dollar windfall that advocates have been predicting. More like $400 million, says Senate sponsor Nancy Detert of Venice, and the state will see very little of it.
"The beneficiary of this new-found riches is going to be the consumer", said Detert.
That's because the income will be used to reduce the communications services tax on cable tv, Internet, telephones and the like, and to finance a yearly sales tax holiday of as much as three days. During a hearing in an appropriations subcommittee, Senator Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth wondered why the state shouldn't keep the money it so desperately needs…especially since people are already supposed to be paying an Internet sales tax.
Clemens asked, "Why do we have to offset it with something else?"
Because, says Detert, given the prevalent no-new-revenue sentiment, it's the only way the House will pass it.