NY to Tax Internet sales?

[Fap]

Why wasnt i informed about this and why is this being passed?

A new bill called the "Amazon Tax" has been approved by New York Legislators and is now awaiting the approval of New York governor David Patterson.

If Patterson signs the bill into law it will require online retailers, such as Amazon to collect sales tax on items shipped to New York. The bill is estimated to generate $50 million in tax revenue for the state.

James Sherin, president CEO of the Retail Council New York, said the tax measure would level the playing field between New York retailers and online retailers who are not based in New York.

"This is a first step - but a critical one - in our ongoing battle to level the sales tax playing field between New York retailers and the out-of-state Internet giants that have, for years, capitalized on an unfair and unintended competitive advantage driven solely by tax policy,"Sherin told internetnews.

Amazon representatives said they were reviewing the legislation. They believe that the state law will be challenged in court.

The state Business Council is against the idea of requiring online companies to charge sales tax. "Albany invented the Amazon.com tax because they failed to cut spending," the council's Heather Briccetti told the NYP. "As long as they don't recognize the economic reality and continue to increase state spending, they'll keep inventing new taxes like this one."

The new tax measure could compel other states to enact laws similar to New York. Some lawmakers though don't think the measure would hold up in court. They say the courts have been reluctant to allow states to regulate Internet transactions.

Source:
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/20...e-internet-tax

[After Shock Media]

It is stupid unless of course an online retailer has a brick and mortar store in that state and ships to people in that state, then fine tax those sales.

As it stands Amazon and every other online retailer not based in NY is receiving no benefit of such taxes and has no representation either.

[tony286]

its going to happen more as states get desperate for money.

[Fap]

sad faces for NY

[payd2purv]

That used to be the best part of buying on the net. Not having to pay that extra % in tax.

[After Shock Media]

Originally Posted by banthis

sad faces for NY

Imagine the site owners. Figuring out each and every state and next local sales tax across entire country and then paying them all.

[Iron Fist]

Good luck with that

[Bossman]

At least the sales tax in the US is no where near what value added tax is in europe, which is up to 25% to those socialist welfare states

[raven1083]

That was totally a bad news!

[Jens Van Assterdam]

Meeehhh sounds like drama coming along..

[Fap]

Originally Posted by Machete Rodriguez

Meeehhh sounds like drama coming along..

Ummm... ok?...

[GatorB]

Originally Posted by After Shock Media

It is stupid unless of course an online retailer has a brick and mortar store in that state and ships to people in that state, then fine tax those sales.

As it stands Amazon and every other online retailer not based in NY is receiving no benefit of such taxes and has no representation either.

All Amazon will do is not let people form NY be affiliates.

[Fap]

Originally Posted by GatorB

All Amazon will do is not let people form NY be affiliates.

thats a lot of people

[skrinkladoo]

haha another nightmare idea they couldnt enforce if they wanted to.

[Fap]

Originally Posted by skrinkladoo

haha another nightmare idea they couldnt enforce if they wanted to.

i think they can and will

[skrinkladoo]

Honestly the internet tax is nothing new. For Amazon your right (maybe), for the masses - no way, the shear number of ecommerce websites in the US (excluding all foreign
markets) - they wouldnt/couldnt have the man power, so the best they could hope for is a random audit system, and that assumes these business can even be tracked. This entire idea has been in thoughts since the mid-late 90's.

"The new tax measure could compel other states to enact laws similar to New York. Some lawmakers though don't think the measure would hold up in court. They say the courts have been reluctant to allow states to regulate Internet transactions. " <-- this debate is dated.

So they put it into law, they still have to answer the question how do they enforce it. Fact is they target the large corporations - not exactly fair.

If you think they can and will - how? thats more or less the question that has no answer at least not in the mind eye of the courts. If NY makes a law, it doesnt mean by default other states have to observe it, is this Federal backed? The loop holes are endless.

I'm not trying to be argumentative here ... i think if anything it will affect NY companies the rest of the world "level the playing field between New York retailers and online retailers who are not based in New York", that would be a sight to behold.

This debate has been ongoing for years - my thoughts are it wont end anytime soon.

[skrinkladoo]

Originally Posted by After Shock Media

It is stupid unless of course an online retailer has a brick and mortar store in that state and ships to people in that state, then fine tax those sales.

As it stands Amazon and every other online retailer not based in NY is receiving no benefit of such taxes and has no representation either.

- this is also a very valid point.