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“Amazon Tax” Soon to Become Reality in New York

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 5:59PM EST
BGR

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It was only a matter of time before states began making moves to level the retail playing field when it comes to online stores. Barring “campaign support” from brick and mortar establishments, this of course has less to do with fair trade and more to do with squeezing cash from every possible avenue. Brainchild of fallen hooker-loving ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer, New York legislators approved a bill last week that if signed by newly-instated cocaine and weed-loving Governer David Paterson, would force online retailers to collect state sales tax on all sales delivered to New York addresses. Paterson is expected to sign the bill. Currently, online retailers are only required to collect sales tax on purchases shipped to states in which they have physical operations. A quote from James Sherin, president CEO of the Retail Council New York:

“This is a first step, but a critical one, in our ongoing battle to level the sales tax playing field between New York retailers and the out-of-state Internet giants that have, for years, capitalized on an unfair and unintended competitive advantage driven solely by tax policy.”

It seems logical that businesses should collect sales taxes in states where they makes sales, but the bill treads into muddy waters with regards to interstate taxes and how they should apply to online retailers. While the bill will certainly be met with strong opposition from the likes of Amazon, it is also expected to amount to an additional $50 million in tax revenue for New York State this fiscal year alone. Once other states catch a whiff of the potential cash slipping through their fingers each year, expect many to follow suit and implement similar policies.

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Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.