WBRZ - Baton Rouge

WASHINGTON- Senators supported a law, giving states the power to collect taxes on purchases you make on the Internet.

The Nonbinding vote could pave the way for a proposal later this year.

Nationally, states miss out on an estimated $20 billion in sales taxes. Louisiana loses about $800 million a year.

Supporters say collecting the tax would restore competitive balance between Internet companies and retail stores that already charge sales taxes. Opponents say the system would be too complicated.
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