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Sununu Will Call On Lawmakers To Block Internet Sales Tax Collection In N.H.

Josh Rogers for NHPR

Governor Chris Sununu will call lawmakers back to Concord to fight any effort by other states to force New Hampshire businesses to collect sales taxes on customers who buy goods across state lines. 

Sununu says his administration will push back on a recent Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for that possibility.

On Thursday, Governor Sununu stood behind a podium bearing the state motto of "Live Free or Die" as he announced his plans for a special session.

The bill he wants lawmakers to pass remains in the works, but according to the governor, the idea is to erect every legal and procedural hurdle to repel attempts by other states to make New Hampshire businesses collect their sales taxes.

"Some of the provisions will include requiring notification and approval to the New Hampshire Department of Justice if any state entity were to attempt to tread on our state. So, that's a notification process. It empowers the Attorney General to file an expedited suit to block any attempt to impose tax collecting obligations in violation of the law."

New Hampshire is one of five states without a general sales tax. It had filed a brief in the case, South Dakota V. Wayfair, that argued that it would be complicated and unfair to make businesses here calculate and collect taxes imposed by other authorities.

Josh has worked at NHPR since 2000.
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