The March 1 issue of The Maui News says Lowell Kalapa would like to have Hawai'i collect the use tax on goods purchased out-of-state via catalogs and the Internet. How?
Perhaps we could get the Hawai'i residents to voluntarily report when they purchase something via a catalog or the Internet! Maybe we could get the out-of-state companies to collect the tax for free, keep accounting records, then file a tax form and send Hawai'i a check every month! Then we could ban them from doing business in Hawai'i! Wait! They aren't doing business in Hawai'i. A sale takes place where money is accepted and ownership is transferred. That happens in the seller's location.
You don't suppose we could get the Post Office to audit shipments to Hawai'i.
How about auditing the Internet? Gee, aren't there privacy laws that preclude that kind of thing without a warrant?
We await your suggestions Mr. Kalapa!
Al Rabold
Kula
