Last week, at least ten large retailers, including Marshall Field, Target Corp., Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart began collecting sales taxes on merchandise sold online, according to published reports.

According to reports, marketers agreed to collect the taxes in 38 states and the District of Columbia in return for amnesty on previously uncollected online sales taxes.

The move comes as state budgets increasingly feel the pinch of rough economic times. The marketers charge their customers the tax rates appropriate to where they live. Retailers are currently required to collect sales taxes if they have a physical presence in the state where the customer resides.

Retailers claimed that collecting sales taxes on merchandise bought online would allow them to integrate on- and offline promotional efforts, according to reports. It would also facilitate exchanges and returns through brick-and-mortar stores of merchandise purchased online, reports said.