A law requiring online retailers to collect sales tax in the state of Georgia went into effect at the start of the year. Now the Peach state says the bill has come due, currently in negotiation with Amazon to start collecting.
"I'm never really in favor of taxes for anybody just general across the board. I think that's a tough answer, because like I said everybody wants to be on the same page but no one wants to pay more taxes," says Jesse Taymore, General Manager of the Georgia Winery.
"You hear a lot from customers and their feed back regarding on-line sales and things and most of the time it is because of the price cuts they can get on line because a physical store can't compete with on line pricing, so I do believe that you know the sales tax issue should be fair for each of us," adds Karen Demastus, Owner of Sonshine Christian book store.
Local small business owners like Demastus say it helps level the playing field....
"I think people will weigh out more then whether to buy more on line or to shop at their local retailers if there is sales tax being paid at either or then it's not going to be as much as a decision for them."
State Senator Jeff Mullis released a statement that says "collecting sales taxes equalizes the playing field between a global online retailer and Georgia's small businesses. At the heart of the matter is an issue of fairness and keeping Georgia businesses competitive."
"I think it's a good idea. I mean I have to pay taxes myself on anything I buy I think they ought to be able to pay taxes too I think," says Georgia resident Gerry Randall.
"Our religious people and our churches shouldn't have to pay taxes but on line things I guess it should be classified just like going into the store, that would be good for the mom and pop stores," adds Georgia resident Page Stoe.
The new online law is expected to generate 16 million dollars in Georgia.
