Sales Tax Gap Study
The Minnesota Sales Tax Gap study revealed a $451 million gap between the amount of sales and use tax paid to Minnesota by businesses and individuals in 2000 and the amount that should have been paid.
The study also shows that the gap will grow rapidly. Estimates show the 2002 gap to be more than $500 million, costing each Minnesota resident about $100. Projections for the 2007 sales tax gap are nearly $700 million.
The study, based on sales and use tax figures from 2000, indicates that the sales tax gap is attributed to:
- Underreporting by businesses that currently collect and pay Minnesota sales and use tax
- Minnesota businesses that have not filed sales and use tax returns
- Minnesota households that owe use tax on out-of-state purchases – including Internet and catalog sales – when the seller does not collect sales tax on the ite
Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print out the files.