Two bills just introduced during the Nebraska state legislature’s special session propose new online delivery taxes – taxing Amazon and Walmart purchases, food delivery, takeout orders, and other goods purchased online. One bill (LB 19) threatens a tax of two percent on online purchases and another (LB 26) proposes a tax of 25 cents on delivery orders. Similar delivery tax proposals have been rejected by New York and Maryland while passing in Minnesota despite opposition from business and consumer groups.

“Nebraska families are already dealing with higher prices – a regressive delivery tax would make it even worse,” said Chamber of Progress Director of Civic Innovation Policy Ruth Whittaker. “Nebraskans are facing increased costs for food, clothes, and other basics. A two percent tax hike on online orders is going to face backlash from voters.”

A new Chamber of Progress report on delivery in the US shows that online delivery orders actually reduce roadway usage and associated infrastructure costs as well as carbon emissions by cutting down on individual trips to the store and grouping delivery fulfillment.

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

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