Internet sales tax advances after Obama endorsement

By Brendan Sasso and Bernie Becker - 04/22/13 08:04 PM ET

Legislation that would empower states to tax online purchases cleared a key hurdle in the Senate on Monday after winning an enthusiastic endorsement from President Obama. 

Senators advanced the bill in 74-20 procedural vote on Monday evening, just one vote short of the backing it received in a test vote last month. Twenty-six Republicans joined Democrats in moving forward with the bill.

The Senate will now begin debate on amendments. The chamber is expected to hold the decisive vote on the bill — known as the Marketplace Fairness Act — later this week.

Major retailers are putting all their lobbying muscle behind the legislation, arguing it would close an unfair loophole that benefits online merchants over brick-and-mortar stores. The National Retail Federation, which represents chains such as Best Buy, Macy's and J.C. Penney, and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), which counts Target and others among its membership, announced it would score lawmakers' votes. 

The White House gave the bill a ringing endorsement on Monday.

"We have heard overwhelmingly from governors, mayors and the business community on the need for federal legislation to level the playing field for our businesses and address sales tax fairness," White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/295431-internet-sales-tax-advances-after-obama-endorsement-#ixzz2RIBTmx3p