Y'know both political parties have long licked their chops at the prospect of taxing commerce conducted on the Internet.
Up to now though I'd thought their best efforts had been for the most part staved off.
Now I understand if I purchase a product from a vendor within my home state, the state doesn't give a rats pa-toot whether the transaction occurred via Internet or across the counter of a store.
I pay sales tax on products purchased in state.
One of the main reasons I shop out-of-state businesses, I'm not charged sales tax. A lot of other people do likewise; hence, why states have failed to successfully pass an Internet sales tax.
People flat out said, "No".
Now this?
Does this only effect NJ residents doing interstate business, or, does NJ intend taxing all state's residents purchasing music from vendor servers located in New Jersey?
I don't get it. (common condition, not to worry)
If it's from all state's citizens NJ's intending to soak, aren't all other states going to naturally want to follow suite since they'll not want to miss out on their pound of flesh?
Could it be NJ is a "trial balloon" in this area the other states are watching, given the previous failed efforts to pull this off?
The citizens of NJ have to be pretty damned passive if they're allowing this kind of crap to go down without a peep.
Geshhhhh.
"BTW what's with the long nics? It takes forever to type them."
Thought I was the only one who noticed that.
Felt it better to keep my mouth shut about it.
...& that ain't easy. :o)
The typical rationale for collecting such taxes is "you bought it from a company that has an office or store in this state, so you have to pay the sales tax here." That's how the Apple Store works - even if you order product over the internet, and even if it was sent from another state, if there's an Apple Store or Apple office in your state, you have to pay your state sales tax. This is par for the course for large national companies.
Same thing with Walmart.com. If there's a Walmart in your state and you buy something from Walmart.com, you have to pay your state sales tax.
That said, that's only been applied to actual, physical goods, not services or intangibles. I'm *really* hoping this does *not* pan out.
The smart thing for Apple to do is pull all Apple Stores and facilities out of NJ and tell NJ to try to collect it when they have no standing.