Amazon (AMZN) ups the ante in the fight over the collection of online sales taxes by states. The...

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Tony Petroski Comments (6373)
 
I thought California had sunk into the sea.

"We will lower the levels of the sea."
-- B. Obama

Sorry.

They are still taxing their way to prosperity!
12 Jul 2011, 09:27 AM Reply Like

Richard Mackenzie Comments (449)
 
I'm guessing that, while people who shop on-line are basically hoping the tax-free status of Amazon, et al, continues, most realize it needs to change, so won't vote to continue the practice in the current environment. Ballot initiative FAIL. They're (Amazonians) too full of themselves if they think otherwise.
12 Jul 2011, 09:43 AM Reply Like

Poor Texan Comments (3489)
 
The real problem is that if on-line sales are taxable, where is the tax locus. A customer in California orders through a computer center in South Dakota and it is shipped from a warehouse in Pennsylvania. Each location can make an argument that their tax rate should apply. Also, will local taxes (city and county) apply and where. The trucking industry solved the problem of mileage taxes by a nationwide allocation system but each state had to join the system. It took years to get all the states on board. We had a lot of arguments with state auditors about what was fair until the system was in place.
12 Jul 2011, 11:47 AM Reply Like

Richard Mackenzie Comments (449)
 
The billing address of the purchaser. There. That wasn't really all that hard, was it?
13 Jul 2011, 09:46 AM Reply Like

Poor Texan Comments (3489)
 
Sure! If South Dakota and Pennsylvania agree with you. But both states provides services for which they can claim the sale took place there. Read some court cases.
13 Jul 2011, 01:53 PM Reply Like

Rob Viglione Comments (330)
 
And how many people in CA base their livelihoods on AMZN online sales? Pushing these people out of business, or out of state, isn't exactly going to boost the already ailing economy here...
12 Jul 2011, 10:24 AM Reply Like

Rob Viglione Comments (330)
 
Fight on, Amazon!
12 Jul 2011, 10:24 AM Reply Like