GF sees uptick in tax from online sales

It’s been four years since the Wayfair Supreme Court ruling allowed states to collect sales taxes on purchases made on the internet.

Over that span North Dakota has netted $212.8 million dollars in taxes from remote sellers.

Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus says on-line purchasing continues to be big business.  “A continuation of what occurred during the pandemic when people weren’t able to go out and shop at stores.  I think buying habits continue to change.”

The ruling also allows cities and counties to collect local sales tax to the tune of $52 million dollars.  In the case of Grand Forks the decision has bolstered the city coffers by over $4.84 million dollars.

To illustrate the growth in online sales Grand Forks received nearly $97,000 in taxes during the second quarter of 2019.  During the second quarter of this year the amount climbed to over $516,000 dollars.