[P-Marlowe]

I think Amazon is setting the entire internet sales business up for a hit from the Federal Government. Goods sold in California to California buyers are subject to the state sales tax. Internet middlemen like Amazon create a cyber location for the sale to allegedly take place outside the State even though the entire transaction takes place within the State.

Amazon's decision to terminate it's dealings with 1/10 of its affiliates is eventually going to lead to a situation where Congress acts to protect the States revenues and specifically makes a requirement that on interstate transactions, the seller must collect the sales tax from their state (no matter where the goods end up).

For a company run by liberals who love the benefits of other people's tax money, Amazon sure has a libertarian/anarchist view of tax laws that affect its business operations.

[super7man]

OK....so now all the affiliates run to Oregon?

[kingu]

I don't think you understand things right here. Amazon marketplace sellers in California who sell thought Amazon collect state sales tax. Amazon, which isn't in California, doesn't collect sales tax for products coming from another state. CA’s theory is that an affiliate, IE someone with an ad on their website who then collects a commission on sales, is now Amazon's point of presence and thus all sales must collect sales tax.

That theory is unconstitutional.

[xzins]

Amazon.com should have no sales tax protection that isn’t offered to every other business in California.

Since I want only sales taxes (and tariffs...sort of the same thing) and only those taxes at nation, state, and local levels, I must support fair, no-exceptions sales tax policy.

I want an end to income, property, capital gains, death, and all other forms of taxation other than sales taxes at every level of government.

It is the most fair form of tax, and it is graduated because those who buy more pay more, and it has every American participating in funding their government.