WARNINGS ABOUT RASH REDUCTIONS IN SALES-TAX REVENUE DUE TO THE INTERNET MAY BE OVERSTATED

Another big tax topic in recent months has been the anticipated loss of sales-tax revenue due to untaxed Internet sales. But, in fact, coffers continue to overflow in most state and local treasuries that rely on sales taxes, despite forecasts of gloom and doom.

Missouri is just one example. A couple of recent studies have predicted drastic reductions in sales-tax revenue. But revenue from sales taxes continues to outstrip previous months. Perhaps the alarmists have miscalculated.

There is no doubt this situation needs to be carefully monitored. But it isn't serving anyone's interests to project huge tax losses without solid data to support those claims.