Shaheen & Hassan Denounce Trump Administration Support for Mandatory Internet Sales Tax Collection

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a legal brief to the Supreme Court in support of efforts to impose mandatory internet sales tax collection, which would disproportionally hurt New Hampshire’s economy and small businesses:  

“It’s very disappointing to see the Trump administration back an internet sales tax that would do real harm to New Hampshire’s economy and impose a very heavy burden on our small businesses,” said Shaheen. “If this policy were to be implemented, New Hampshire’s small businesses would have to purchase costly software and navigate constantly changing tax jurisdictions, tax rates and tax holidays all across America. This is just unacceptable and could force small companies in New Hampshire out of business. That’s why I continue to work across the aisle to oppose this terrible policy and I urge the Trump administration to reconsider its position.”

“As Governor, I worked to responsibly balance the budget without an income or sales tax, and I strongly oppose any effort to create an internet sales tax and force New Hampshire small businesses to collect sales tax for other states,” said Hassan. “The Trump Administration should reverse its support for this misguided policy and instead work with us to cut red tape and make it easier for New Hampshire small businesses to compete in e-commerce.”

Senators Shaheen and Hassan have been vocal critics of attempts to impose a national internet sales tax.  New Hampshire does not have a sales tax. An internet sales tax would force New Hampshire businesses to collect sales tax for 46 states and 9,600 taxing jurisdictions across the country.