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I've heard about Amazon pulling this tactic in NY and other states that forced them to start collecting sales tax, but that is one breathtakingly petulant lette
by irons 15y ago
I've heard about Amazon pulling this tactic in NY and other states that forced them to start collecting sales tax, but that is one breathtakingly petulant letter. What exactly is the constitutional issue they're alluding to?
(I live in Washington state, where Amazon has always collected sales tax, so personally it seems like a non-issue.)
- hvs 15y agoThe issue is collecting sales tax for items bought outside of their state. Interstate commerce is a federal jurisdiction. If they collect sales tax in Washington state, it's because they have an office there.
- lotharbot 15y agoIn Amazon's case, they have a lot of offices in Washington state, including their headquarters. They have always collected WA sales tax.
- irons 15y agoThat's not a constitutional argument for Amazon's position. You're obligated to pay sales tax on items purchased out of state, by annual remittance. Almost nobody does it, but if you're ever audited (by your state), they can ding you if you don't. Amazon is plenty big enough to be specifically called out by cash-strapped state governments for, effectively, encouraging people to evade the law.