New York to Implement an 'Amazon Tax'

theodp writes "NY Governor David Paterson is expected to sign a bill requiring online retailers to collect sales taxes on purchases shipped to the state, even if they have no operations or employees working there. The so-called 'Amazon tax', which applies to Internet retailers who derive sales through affiliate programs, would end what for many New Yorkers had been tax-free shopping and generate an estimated $50M in revenue this fiscal year. Experts predict that other states could follow suit with similar provisions."

Paterson can't see a problem with that.

[Fear the Clam]

Thanks, folks, I'll be here all week. Try the veal.

Re:they can pass it all they want...

[flyingsquid]

How exactly has that stopped the government from doing whatever the hell it wants for the last decade or so? Just raise the specter of national security and every judge in the country (especially the Supreme Court) will roll over as always. Just say that the tax revenues go to anti-terrorism activities, or that the taxation is a way of regulating and controlling what comes into the state, to make sure it's not contraband.

If we don't pass this law, then terrorists will be able to buy books and other goods tax-free. It is highly probable that terrorist cells operating in New York will need to order books and electronics from online vendors. Taxing these sales means that it will now cost terrorists 8.4% more each time they order terrorism-related materials from Amazon, dealing a serious blow to Al Qaeda's finances. Imagine how furious Bin Laden will be when he sees that his sleeper cells have gone over their budget.

Re:I don't know about other states

[Anonymous Coward]

We are.

Re:Oh please

[EdIII]

"conducted remotely via the mails since before the founding of our country"

I did not know the pilgrims ordered their canned cranberries from catalogs from outside of their "states".

You learn something new everyday I guess....

Seeing though, as we are talking about interstate commerce, can we keep the arguments to AFTER the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the ratification of the Constitution?

Or we could do it your way and talk about the Odin Express (TM) and Thor's Mighty Catalogue of Sharp and Pointy Objects in ye old past.

Re:they can pass it all they want...

[frankm_slashdot]

you sir, are supporting your argument with valid examples and precedents...

what the fuck are you doing here on /.

hehehe, nice work.
- FJM

Re:they can pass it all they want...

[CastrTroy]

Have you ever considered that perhaps, the constitution is a little out of date? Do you think they ever conceived that people would be able to buy everything they needed, easily from another state? Couldn't you just find a state without sales tax (i'm sure one must exist) and buy everything from that state. Sure it wouldn't be feasible for some items, but for many big ticket items, which would incur a lot of tax, like cars, electronics, and furniture, it would probably be beneficial to the consumer. Maybe if taxing sales becomes too difficult, they will just have to do everything through income tax, and let sales go tax free.