Big Retailers Back Internet Sales Taxes

Gives them an edge over small vendors

MADISON – Woe is Walmart.

Everybody's neighborhood big-box retailer sees itself  as a victim of technological innovation and an inequitable tax system that plays favorites – at least online.

With scary Internet competitors such as eBay and madeinwisconsin.com, Walmart just can't get a fair shake – that is, according to the mammoth retail chain and its big-box brethren lobbying for the Marketplace Fairness Act.

The bill, passed by nonbinding resolution last week by the U.S. Senate, would allow states to force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes from customers who reside in other states.