ICMA joined the National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Government Finance Officers Association in expressing support for the recent Supreme Court Decision (South Dakota v. Wayfair) in advance of the July 24 hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee. 

The letter emphasizes that local governments have supported the work of the Streamlined Sales Tax and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA) technology which is designed to simplify the collection of sales taxes on Internet purchases.  Today’s hearing exposed the wide range of opinions about what Congress should do.  Grover Norquist argued that “Congress should at the very least block tax collection in the wake of Wayfair until legislation is passed.” 

Curtis Bramble, Utah state senator and former president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, emphasized that states have no interest in pursuing back taxes and are focused on tax policy for the future. 

Under Chairman Bob Goodlatte’s leadership, the House Judiciary Committee has shown little appetite to pass sales tax legislation, even after the Senate passed the Marketplace Fairness Act.  As 24 states have joined the Streamlined Sales Tax project, many observers argue that the state and local governments can best work with the retail community to address the  transition challenges ahead.

We have posted the letter in support of the South Dakota v. Wayfair decision.