Marketplace Fairness Act. Taxation Without Representation?

The hasty passing (69-27) by the U.S. Senate of the Marketplace Fairness Act has aroused the ire and concern of The American Catalog Mailers Association and the Direct Marketing Association. The bill compels remote sellers to collect and remit sales tax to relevant state and local jurisdictions including more than 500 Indian tribes. The measure is now headed for the House, whose members the ACMA and DMA will visit, expressing their concerns over issues of fairness to medium and small catalog and internet businesses while offering alternative solutions. In fact, the ACMA and DMA will be augmented by the Electronic Retailer's Association, who are mounting a fly-in, descending on Capitol Hill to argue for reason among legislators from key states. It is hoped that this concerted effort will encourage House deliberations to follow more considered procedures allowing for modifications to the Senate version.