Sitka wants piece of internet sales tax revenue

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Friday, May 1st, 2020 7:41am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Sitka, Alaska (KINY) - The Sitka Borough Assembly agreed to join the Alaska Remote Sellers Sales Tax Commission.

This will provide the borough with tax revenue for online sales in Sitka.

Assemblymember Thor Christianson said this will support local businesses, "Number one this supports our local vendor.  Everybody is competing now with internet vendors.  They have been competing with one arm tied behind their back."

Christianson said if they didn't join the group they would lose revenue from Amazon and other vendors.

"If we don't do this what we're saying is we'd rather have you shop at Amazon than in town," he added.

Finance Director Jay Sweeney said Sitka could lose between $200,000 and $500,000 if they didn't join the group.

 

The Assembly also abated penalties and interest for the payment of first-quarter sales taxes until June 30th.

The City receives about $25,000 over the three months from penalties for late payment.

They will require the business to write the city a letter to explain why they need the abatement.

The business must make full payment by June 30th.

Assemblymember Valorie Nelson said this will help local business, "I know what is going on with small business.  If people don't have the money right now they can simply write a letter showing this is the situation."

She said it will show small businesses that the Sitka Borough is trying to assist them during the pandemic.

 

 

More from News of the North

• JPD: Arrest for Assault involving a knife

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - At about 12:14 a.m. on May 27th, 2023, JPD received a report that two people were injured after being involved in a fight.

• Alaska childcare providers say funds approved by Legislature are crucial to staying open

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - Late addition to budget would provide $7.5 million for care centers, but providers say more support is needed

• University of Alaska Board of Regents approves FY24 Budget, sets priorities focused on Empowering Alaska

  Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) - Bolstered by growing enrollment and increased financial stability, the University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents accepted the UA’s System FY24 operating and capital budgets during its May meeting

• Celebrate Alaska Public Gardens Day and Memorial Day at Jensen-Olson Arboretum

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Jensen-Olson Arboretum will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 29, in honor of Memorial Day, in addition to its regular Saturday and Sunday hours.

• Luimariamofoa Polu sentenced for 2018 murder of 15-Year-Old

  Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson sentenced 21-year-old Luimariamofoa Polu to serve 27 years in jail for the murder of 15-year-old Raynaldo Khotesouvan on July 20, 2018, in Anchorage. Polu, who was 16-years-old at the time of the murder, was charged as an adult for the crime pursuant to Alaska Statute 47.12.030. Polu previously admitted the facts contained in the charging document.

• Murkowski applauds Alaska’s Kuskokwim Consortium Library on winning nation’s highest honor

  Washington, D.C. (KINY) – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today made the following statement after the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded Kuskokwim Consortium Library in Bethel, Alaska, the 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service – the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries.

• Public can comment on proposed recreation fees on the Tongass National Forest

  Ketchikan, Alaska (KINY) - The public has 128 days, starting today, to comment on proposed new and increased recreation fees at 17 developed forest recreation sites in southeast Alaska.

• Sullivan applauds Supreme Court for reining in EPA, upholding rights of Alaskans

  Washington, D.C. (KINY) - U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee and vice chair of the Senate Western Caucus, celebrated the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling yesterday in Sackett vs. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which reins in the Biden administration’s expansive interpretation of the federal government’s authority under the Clean Water Act to regulate “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

• Alaska Gov. Dunleavy signs bill granting free fur-trapping licenses to disabled veterans

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has signed legislation that allows disabled military veterans to receive a free fur-trapping license.

• Daniel Buckingham sentenced to 23 years for sexual assault

  Bethel, Alaska (KINY) - On Thursday, Bethel District Court Judge William Montgomery sentenced 31-year-old Daniel Buckingham of Bethel to 30 years with seven years suspended and 23 years to serve for the 2019 sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl.

• A bill to get nurses licensed more quickly in Alaska faces pushback from unions

  Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - There’s agreement there’s a nurse shortage, but no consensus on what to do about it

• Have a safe, fun Memorial Day Weekend without sparking a wildfire

  Fairbanks, Alaska (KINY) - Now that warmer weather is finally here and Alaska is heading into the first summer holiday, more people are getting outdoors whether to do some spring cleaning, recreating or sightseeing in the beautiful state. The best way to keep Alaska beautiful is by making sure you don’t start a wildfire.