ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - When you shop online this holiday season, check your total. Are you paying sales tax? In Missouri, chances are you aren't and the state is leaving big money on the table.
Missouri Budget Project vice president of public policy Brian Colby says most other states are now collecting sales tax after a Supreme Court decision called "Wayfair." The decision allows states to ask for sales tax, even if the retailer doesn't have a physical presence in the state.
But Missouri isn't taking advantage of it. Colby says Missouri "can and should" do it because the state is missing out on "anywhere between $60-$130 million" per year.
"To put it in context, $67 million in general revenue is the equivalent of about 2,000 teachers," Coldy says.
Colby also says, besides the revenue lost, the sales tax disparity is unfair to brick and mortar small businesses.
If you're wondering about the largest online retailer, Amazon, you do have to pay state taxes in Missouri because their fulfillment centers have addresses in the state.