New efforts are expected in Wisconsin this year to collect taxes on Internet sales.
The state is losing a bundle of money from people who buy online and don't pay sales taxes, says Madison-based retail analyst Doug Johnson. He estimates that taxes not collected on those sales add up to about $200 million.
Johnson says that much money could be a big help as the state struggles with a $5.4 billion deficit, and could get the Legislature interested in expanding taxes to cover those sales.
Governor Doyle has tried to tax those purchases in the past, but has been unsuccessful so far. With Democrats controlling both houses, Johnson says there's a greater chance for a stream-lined sales tax to pass.