Amazon sues New York

[Imran Siddiqui]

I don't see anything wrong with NY collecting tax on internet purchases (I also think it is Constitutional), but targeting Amazon only is a bit of a problem.

[N35t0r]

Originally posted by Q Cubed
I thought this would be funny, like people from Lesbos suing over the word lesbian.

Lesbos should just use the term lesbian to advertise the island: "Lesbos: where Lesbians love men." Tell me that wouldn't work.

[BeBMan]

Amazones

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
I don't see anything wrong with NY collecting tax on internet purchases (I also think it is Constitutional), but targeting Amazon only is a bit of a problem.

It's not targetting only Amazon. The tax has just been given the folksy name of the Amazon tax.

I predict New York over Amazon in four straight games.

[snoopy369]

They can use the Billing Address to verify the state the tax needs to be collected to. I have no problem with them collecting it, certainly ... honestly there should be a rule requiring 'national retailers' such as Amazon (and Sears and similar retailers with a national presence) to collect sales tax anywhere in the country, even where they have no presence.

I'd probably cut it at either:
* Physical presence in 20+ states
* Less than 50% of business is done in states where they have a physical presence
and then add in some minimum total sales (say $10m/yr)

It would have to be a federal law, and the feds generally stay out of this... but it would help a lot in terms of making it consistent (which is the point of this whole federal system thing).

[Imran Siddiqui]

It would have to be a federal law, and the feds generally stay out of this... but it would help a lot in terms of making it consistent

And it'd help in defeating any lawsuits. Online retailers couldn't claim "dormant commerce clause" if the feds are passing a law.

[snoopy369]

Indeed...

Now, the Feds could also try passing a federal sales tax on 'national retailers' if they wanted... I suspect the states would mind that just a bit, though.