Amazon Fights Back Against NY Online Sales Tax

The New York Times is reporting on Amazon's lawsuit contesting the recently enacted New York state law which requires online retail outlets to collect sales tax on items sold to the state's residents. Amazon disagrees that it should be required to collect such tax without a physical presence in the state. We discussed the 'Amazon Tax' last month. Quoting: "The new law is based on a novel definition of what constitutes a presence in the state: It includes any Web site based in the state that earns a referral fee for sending customers to an online retailer. Amazon has hundreds of thousands of affiliates--from big publishers to tiny blogs--that feature links to its products. It says thousands of those have given an address in New York State, although it does not verify the addresses. The state law says that if even one of those affiliates is in New York, Amazon must collect sales tax on everything sold in the state, even if it is not sold through the affiliate."

Re:The parts that offends me is

[hesaigo999ca]

I agree that NY is full of sh*t .... I believe that this is the same state that applied a tax law for a vehicle that consumed too much gas, the turned around and applied a tax for a vehicle that took not enough gas, and it is only a matter of time before they come up with a tax for a vehicle sitting in the driveway too long....

Tax Auditor: "I see you work from home, but you own a car ..."
Person: "Yes...i don't have to drive to work, as I work from home."
Tax Auditor: "I see, I see, well that means you are privy to the new tax law..."
Person: "Which one is that?"
Tax Auditor: "The one for not driving your car at all, we are losing money on you.. ....we have to make up that money some how..."
Person: 'thinks' Did i remember to hide my motorcycle 'end thinks'

Re:Time for a VAT?

[tgd]

Um, some of us live in states that don't have sales tax.

And we've got guns.

And we believe we should live free or die.

Just sayin'.

(Actually I have no guns, but I think all my neighbors do...)

Re:I wonder if...

[BoomerSooner]

Well you've definitely got the French anal retentive thing going for you. Magnifique!