It seems that every day that laws seem to be catching up with existing technology especially in Minnesota. What am I talking about? When you decide to purchase an item like a new grill, computer, or anything else over the internet because you can “beat” that pesky sales tax that can add significant burden to purchasing these items.

Turns out the state of Minnesota thinks you should be keeping track of your internet purchases and sending in a check every year (quarterly in some cases!) to cover taxes for not making purchases locally. The state’s justification is to make it a level playing ground for businesses in that need to charge sales tax. This argument would make sense to me if I never had to pay shipping or I was able to find items remotely close in price locally as I can in brick and mortar stores in other states.

Have you ever cut a check to the state government for internet taxes because it’s the right thing to do? Or will you not pay these taxes until the state figures out a way to make you do so?