This year, the Retail Industry Leaders Association is looking to tackle a retail merchandising issue that is being played out in state legislatures across the country: the enforcement of sales tax collection among online retailers.

In the recently released 2012 Retail Industry Leaders Association Agenda: A Roadmap for Job Creation, the organization is hoping to point congressional offices to the issue of sales tax parity.

Currently, many business experts argue that current sales tax collection methods put in-store retailers at a disadvantage to their online counterparts, which in many states aren't required to collect sales tax. This policy allows online retailers to charge lower prices in many cases.

"The role that Main Street retailers play in the economy is enormous, but the laws governing sales tax collection put them at a distinct disadvantage to online-only retailers, threatening their ability to grow and create jobs," said RILA president Sandy Kennedy.

Currently, states such as Illinois and Arizona are weighing the advantages and disadvantages of bills that would not only make in-state online retailers pay sales tax, but out-of-state companies that sell in-state as well.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, February 10th, 2012 at 8:38 am .