We think you're near Los Angeles

Currently in Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles Current temperature: 63°F: Current condition: Clear See Extended Forecast

Question of the weekend: Filing business sales taxes in Tennessee

David Oatney's photo
Tennessee Statehouse Examiner

This past week, the Tennessee Department of Revenue made the decision that Tennessee small businesses will be forced to report their State sales taxes online, and those who don't could face a fine of up to $500. Reporting sales taxes may be easy and convenient for many people when done online, but there are some people and businesses for whom paying taxes online is both a hassle and is not practical.

The Examiner contacted three Tennessee legislators this week-Stacey Campfield, Frank Niceley, and Tony Shipley. None of the aforementioned members of the Tennessee House of Representatives could recall any legislation passed this past session which gave the Tennessee Department of Revenue the authority to FORCE business owners to file sales taxes online.

Is the Tennessee Department of Revenue acting above and beyond the scope of its legal and constitutional authority? If it is not, what act of the General Assembly gave the Department of Revenue the authority to mandate online business tax filing?

Advertisement

, Tennessee Statehouse Examiner

David Oatney is a freelance political writer, blogger, and conservative activist. He is active in local Republican and municipal politics, and lives with his wife in the Great Smoky Mountains in White Pine, Tennessee. He can be reached at oatney@gmail.com.

Don't miss...