Comments on: New York wants Amazon to pay Sales Tax

By: Michael Herrmann

Michael Herrmann — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:46:27 +0000

Take a look at what Amazon does with sophisticated software online already. Their argument that it’s all just too complicated to figure out doesn’t pass the laugh test. There is no legitimate argument that they shouldn’t collect the tax. Barnes & Noble does it already for sales online.

By: Kalen Hughes

Kalen Hughes — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:26:21 +0000

Would my tax be determined by my address? By the address to which the item is delivered? By a “base” for the state? What? This just sounds waaaaaaaaaaaay too complicated to me.

By: Ned

Ned — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:16:28 +0000

Bev, I would have to believe with you. I wonder though if most companies would pay it if it were a simpler process. There are over 7500 taxing districts within the US. A few years ago, due to the complexity of the sales and use taxes, and the need to collect more sales taxes, 32 states decided to band together and develop a simpler approach (now almost all states are part of the movement). Their organization is called "Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board". I went to their website to look around, the issue appears to be very complex. Maybe Ross Perot had it right a long time ago promoting the flat tax!

By: Bev Stephans

Bev Stephans — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 04:54:30 +0000

I believe taxes should be collected from all mail-order and on-line businesses. It’s only fair.

By: (JÄn)

(JÄn) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:57:23 +0000

I already pay sales tax on any store that has a physical presence in my state. I think it’s only fair that if Amazon has a presence in NY that NY residents do the same, and if not they shouldn’t have to.

By: DS

DS — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:18:02 +0000

User fee it’s called in my state. At least it means we only have to pay the 6% sales tax.

Does Amazon have a significant physical presence in NY? That was the rule for mail order companies. Most of my purchases come out of KY and if I buy anything from an Amazon partner like Target then I end up paying sales tax for the state I have it delivered to.

By: MeriBeth

MeriBeth — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:18:38 +0000

Hey Ned,

In most states you’re already suppposed to pay sales tax on any mail-order or online purchase if you didn’t pay it at time of the sale. It varies by state, but most of them have that in their income tax codes and on the annual state tax forms.

~MeriBeth