The following statement is attributable to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, following the vote on Sens. Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) internet sales tax amendment to the budget resolution:

“I commend congressional leadership for their commitment to give states and localities the ability to enforce their existing tax laws and require that all retailers collect owed sales tax. The amendment introduced by Sens. Enzi and Durbin clarifies the sales tax responsibility since brick-and-mortar retailers must collect owed sales tax, while Internet retailers do so only in limited circumstances. This was a no-brainer fix to give states the ability to collect this much needed, and legally due, source of revenue. The amendment puts the responsibility of collecting those taxes on Internet retailers, just as it now sits on their brick-and-mortar brethren.”

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $209 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online: www.CE.org and www.DeclareInnovation.com. Follow CES at www.CESweb.org and through both CEA and CES social media channels.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• CES on the Hill
  April 16, 2013, Washington, DC

• Digital Patriots Dinner
  April 17, 2013, Washington, DC

• Technology & Standards Spring Forum
  May 20-24, 2013, Denver, CO

• CE Week
  June 24-28, 2013, New York, NY

• 2013 CEA Industry Forum
  October 20-23, 2013, Los Angeles, CA

• 17^th Annual CEO Summit
  October 23-25, 2013, Rancho Palo Verdes, CA

• 2014 International CES New York Press Preview
  November 12, 2013, New York, NY

• 2014 International CES
  January 7-10, 2014, Las Vegas, NV