It’s official — the state will start collecting sales taxes on online purchases on October 1st.
The state revenue department announced the change today. It comes in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month that sided with South Dakota in a lawsuit over the taxes.
State Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler says it’s a fairness issue for Wisconsin retailers. He says a lot of business owners were frustrated that they had to collect sales tax while out of state competitors didn’t. He says this will level the playing field.
The state is projected to collect an additional $90 million in revenues before the end of the fiscal year at the end of June of 2019. The following fiscal year that total could reach $120 million.
Chandler says Governor Walker would lower taxes in another area to offset the additional revenue.