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State Lawmakers Look To Impose Internet Sales Tax

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) - If you are one of the scores of people who enjoy online shopping, you may soon have to shell out a little more money.

With a 5-1 vote Tuesday , the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee moved forward a measure that would mandate an "Internet tax" on purchases made online, according to the News Service of Florida.

The bill, dubbed SB 1548, would make Florida's tax close similar to other states and allow Internet retailers to gather the tax for the state, a practice that currently not being utilized.

State residents are technically required to pay sales taxes on Internet purchase but few sites enforce it.

"This is not a new tax," said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach. "It is simply a tax that is not being collected."

Traditional brick-and-mortar retail outlets, who have complained about unfair price advantages for years, support the bill.

State Senator Anitere Flores, R-Miami, argued that the tax is punishing Americans who are looking to buy products and stay within their budgets during these tough times.

Flores says non-Internet stores need to do more to adapt to the growing trend of online shopping.

"I think that's the more fair way to do it," she said, "Not by saying we're going to add a tax to our friends and neighbors who are trying to save money."

Also Tuesday, Citizens for Fairness in Florida, supporters of the so-called "Dosal tax", marched from a downtown Tallahassee hotel to the Capitol.

Protesters want lawmakers to mandate manufacturers who were not part of Florida's settlement with tobacco manufacturers to pay a fee that is equal to one that was charged to companies who did not agree to the terms.

That exemption, protesters say, allowed the once small Miami-based Dosal company to sell cheaper cigarettes, therefore gaining a larger market share.

The measure to make companies like Dosal pay, HB 1207, is sponsored by Rep. John Tobia, R-Melbourne and is stalled in committee.

"We must close this loophole once and for all and treat all cigarette manufacturers the same way," said Jose Gonzalez, a lobbyist for Associated Industries of Florida, which supports the proposal.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida contributed material for this report)

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