Republicans are split over the wisdom of a law that would allow sales taxes to be applied to online sales — and that split is most pronounced between politicians who work in Washington and those who work at the state level.

Internet retailers currently are not expected to collect sales taxes from customers in states where they have no physical presence. Customers are technically still liable for the taxes on the purchases, but compliance is low. Brick-and-mortar stores have long complained that the situation gives online retailers a competitive advantage.