This month, a group of eBay entrepreneurs traveled to Salt Lake City to meet with their state legislators to discuss the importance of protecting Utah small businesses from onerous Internet sales tax mandates.   Over the years, Utah legislators have introduced Internet sales tax proposals that would affect small Internet retailers and entrepreneurs.   Believing that small businesses should be protected from any new burdensome Internet sales tax regime, eBay’s State Government Relations team has worked hard to protect eBay-enabled entrepreneurs from burdens that could greatly impact their bottom line.

However, there is nothing more powerful than an elected official hearing directly from their constituent on how an issue would affect their business.  At the fly-in, Utah state legislators heard firsthand the stories of how the Internet has created endless opportunities for people all over the state and why it is so important to keep the Internet open to small businesses and entrepreneurs.  These engaged small businesses helped to influence their elected officials to take actions that encourage, not stifle, small business growth and development.

Utah is not the only state that is trying to change current Internet sales tax laws.  A number of state legislatures around the country have introduced Internet sales tax bills that could impact small Internet retailers and their customers.  Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee, and South Carolina are just a few states that have Internet sales tax bills pending in 2014.  But just like Utah, the policymakers in these states need to be reminded that the Internet is not just about big business.  Hundreds of thousands of small businesses all across the country depend on the Internet and marketplaces like eBay to reach a global audience and it will be these small businesses that will be impacted the most if Internet sales tax laws are changed without the inclusion of small business protections.

It is important for local, state and federal policymakers to hear from their constituents about issues like Internet sales tax.  Neither big business nor big money can compare to the influential power of everyday people taking part in the legislative process.  eBay’s Government Relations team is here to help you find ways to engage your policymakers on issues that matter to you.