Florida could be losing two billion dollars or more in tax receipts it is already owed.

State law already requires people who make purchases on the internet or out of state to voluntarily report and submit the tax to the state. The problem is that few people file such reports.

Now, Rick McAllister of the state’s Retail Federation is calling on state lawmakers to put pressure on congress to allow sales taxes to be collected across state lines.

“That’s money that’s owed to the state of Florida, that’s simply not being collected, not being paid. And we need that money. We need that money to pay teachers; we need that money to help with our Medicaid bill. We need that money for all the things that the state provides for its citizens. So let’s pass a resolution, let’s put as much pressure as we can on congress and get this thing done.”

Making the switch now could cost the state about 60 million dollars in the first year, because it would require syncing our taxable items with other states. But the loss is a one time expense compared to two billion or more in revenue.