Rhode Island eBay Government Regulations
Overview
eBay is a global online marketplace where practically anyone can trade practically anything. eBay has facilitated the sale of goods and services by a diverse worldwide community since its founding in 1995.
The eBay community includes 203 million registered users from around the world, making it the most popular shopping destination on the Internet.
Every day, there are millions of items listed on eBay. People come to the eBay marketplace to buy and sell items in thousands of categories including antiques and art, books, business & industrial equipment, cars & other vehicles, computers & electronics, and home furnishings.
eBay State Presence
Registered Users - eBay has over 350,000 registered users in the state of Rhode Island.
Top Sellers - More than 1,300 of those users qualify as Top Sellers. Top Sellers are members of the eBay community who sell over $1,000 worth of merchandise or services each month.
Issue/Policy Updates:
Streamlined Sales Tax Project (“SSTP”) - The SSTP is an attempt to streamline tax codes in order to allow states to collect sales taxes from out-of-state sellers (including Internet sellers). Such a step could cripple many of the small businesses who rely on eBay and other internet sites for survival. Even assuming the SSTP effectively streamlines some portions of out-of-state sales tax collection, small businesses would be forced to collect, remit and account for sales tax to buyers in thousands of separate taxing jurisdictions, a prospect which is unrealistic to all but the largest companies.
E-Commerce / Tickets - eBay supports the elimination of restrictions capping the resale price of tickets to sports and entertainment events. Allowing individuals to purchase tickets from licensed vendors at fair market value results in increased competition in the ticket sales industry and better service to the event-going public.
Success Stories:
eBay Foundation - eBay FoundationTM works to build thriving communities by supporting targeted initiatives to improve the economic and social well-being of our communities both on and offline.
Charitable Giving - Since 2000, more than $54 million has been raised for charity from items sold on eBay.