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As others point out, what Amazon does is probably legal. It's also probably required; as a publicly held company they're required to pursue the best return poss
by nfnaaron 17y ago
As others point out, what Amazon does is probably legal. It's also probably required; as a publicly held company they're required to pursue the best return possible to investors. Stepping up to pay a tax that's not legally required would violate that duty.
I think the states can make a good case for requiring mail order consumer businesses to pay sales tax. Bezos says that his employees and business don't receive services from states, but they do. Without functional streets it would be impossible for Amazon to have their products delivered, at the prices they currently charge. Less directly, police and fire services ensure that their customers and contractors can operate safely and with minimal disruption. More abstractly, a functioning economy and legal system promotes the economic well being of its citizens, without which Amazon could not function. At all.
- jcnnghm 17y agoStreets aren't paid for by sales tax. They're paid for with taxes on fuel and vehicles paid by the companies making deliveries in the state.
- Anechoic 17y agoOnly partially, use taxes cover about 50-60% of the costs for roads IIRC, the rest comes out of the general fund.
- petewarden 17y ago> as a publicly held company they're required to pursue the best return possible to investors. Stepping up to pay a tax that's not legally required would violate that duty. There are lots of circumstances where paying extra taxes could boost long-term shareholder returns, so your conclusion doesn't follow. The classic example is where there's the threat of onerous legislation being introduced unless a 'voluntary' code of conduct is adopted.