State Wants Online Shoppers To Pay Sales Tax

Online is a shopping is a favorite for those who want to avoid sales tax. But the taxman may come for them soon.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The state of Illinois wants residents to pay sales taxes on all of the gifts they buy. Online shoppers, this means you.

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Illinoisans can often dodge sales taxes by shopping online, but the state is hoping to collect on those taxes next year by offering a sales tax amnesty.

A new law allows people who didn't pay sales tax on items bought online, through the mail or over the phone between June 20, 2004, and the end of 2010 to pay what they owe without penalty. The tax amnesty runs from Jan. 1 through Oct. 15.

Department of Revenue spokeswoman Sue Hofer tells the (Springfield) State Journal-Register that Illinois also plans to offer a more detailed worksheet on state income tax return forms to get taxpayers to pay up.

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