Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

letter to the editor:

We need a level playing field on sales taxes

The following letter is on behalf of Fashion Show mall, Grand Canal Shops and Meadows Mall, properties owned and managed by General Growth Properties:

Congress needs to pass the Marketplace Fairness Act so there is real and fair competition reflecting 21st century commerce. America was built on promoting economic growth and business in a fashion that ensures fair competition for all.

Today, online-only retailers are not required to charge and collect sales tax, while local businesses must. However, the sales tax (in all but five states) is still owed. The collection of these taxes is difficult to enforce unless online sellers have either a physical store or a warehouse within the state. When sales tax is not collected at the time of purchase, the burden falls on the consumer to report and pay. Compliance is virtually nonexistent. Based on a recent Ohio State University study, states are estimated to lose $23 billion a year from uncollected sales taxes on online goods.

The current sales tax code is unquestionably confusing for consumers and companies. For example, Amazon is now legally required to collect sales tax in 21 states, including the four most populous: California, New York, Florida and Texas. The MFA is not an additive tax. It’s about ensuring all companies, regardless of the type of business, pay the same tax.

The tax disparity puts local businesses at a significant economic disadvantage and stifles the economy. According to a July 2013 study conducted by Arthur Laffer and Donna Arduin, federal legislation that would allow states to close the online sales tax loopholes would result in a more efficient tax system, a larger tax base and lower tax rates for all taxpayers. This will increase states’ prosperity and employment, increasing the gross domestic product by more than $563 billion and adding more than 1.5 million jobs in the next 10 years. It is time for Congress to grant states the ability to correct the unfair application of sales tax laws.

How does MFA impact our community? Our shopping centers are economic engines and catalysts for growth in Clark County. Combined, they contribute more than $159 million annually in property and sales taxes that pay for crucial services such as law enforcement, the fire department, education and more.

Encompassing more than 3.7 million square feet, these properties employ approximately 9,500 part- and full-time employees in 12 major anchor department stores and more than 500 specialty retailers and restaurants, many of which are exclusive to Nevada. Passage of the MFA allows these properties and other brick-and-mortar retailers to compete fairly with online retailers.

Brick-and-mortar retailers are the economic engine that drives the local economy.

The MFA passed the Senate in early May 2013 and is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. Passing the MFA is simply about enforcement of current tax law. Whether you shop at a store or online, taxation should be fair.

Mark S. Thorsen II, Las Vegas

The writer is the general manager of Meadows Mall.

The writer is the general manager of Meadows Mall.

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