The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that states can require online retailers to collect sales tax on purchases, even if the retailer has no physical presence in the state.
The 5-4 ruling overturned a ruling from the 1990s, citing the changing retail landscape as one of the guiding reasons.
Economist Kurt Wenner with Florida TaxWatch says the ruling helps in-state brick and mortar businesses.
"That should result in the state collecting more in sales tax revenues, which could be used to reduce even business rent tax or the sales tax rate for all Floridians, or help to hold down taxes in other areas," he said.
Wenner also says stores in-state will no longer have to deal with online firms enjoying a seven or eight percent advantage on price.