Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

California’s ‘Amazon Tax’ Already Proving a Bust
Big Government.com ^ | Capitol Confidential

Posted on 08/24/2011 12:42:32 PM PDT by americanophile

California recently instituted as part of its budget solution an “Amazon Tax” aimed at forcing out-of-state, online retailers with no physical presence in the Golden State to collect and remit sales tax in respect of goods sold to Californians where the retailer in question advertises, or maintains an “affiliate” referral relationship, with websites based within state lines.

Prior to passage of the bill obligating collection and remittance in such circumstances, prominent online retailers including Amazon.com and Overstock.com had threatened to terminate relationships with affiliates, if the legislation became law. Now that it has, and affiliate relationships are being severed, something critics of the legislation say was entirely foreseeable is occurring: Online businesses and entrepreneurs are leaving the state, thus risking an actual reduction, as opposed to marginal increase, in California’s tax revenue.

Last month, news broke of one California-based online entrepreneur who had decided to ditch California and move to Nevada in the aftermath of Gov. Jerry Brown signing the law. ”I always figured that in California, home to Silicon Valley and a million tech startups, they’d never pass a law like this,” said Nick Loper, who formerly operated ShoesRUs and has now opened a new venture, ShoeSniper.

Per the piece in which Loper is quoted, more than 70 affiliates had at that stage already left California, according to online businesses.

(Excerpt) Read more at biggovernment.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: amazontax; ammunition; economy; fail; food; generators; gold; internet; taxes
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-71 last
To: tired&retired
There are still a few states with no sales taxes....

Which is WHY I detoured my vacation into Montana and saved over $170 on the purchase of my digital camera. I lived there for two years when I was in the USAF and I did like their no sales tax policy. You could drive as fast as you wanted during the daytime too. If caught speeding, the fine was just $5 and it did not go on your insurance.

61 posted on 08/24/2011 5:41:12 PM PDT by I Drive Too Fast
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: arkady_renko

I have to believe the red state Governors like Kasich are wise to this. Here in Ohio there has been not a whisper of such stupidity.


62 posted on 08/24/2011 6:44:57 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

Picky, picky!


63 posted on 08/24/2011 7:07:35 PM PDT by I am Richard Brandon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy
And if I have done it, I wouldn’t state it publicly.

Whether you'd state it publicly or not, my point remains -- California loses out on the tax revenue it could have gotten.

64 posted on 08/24/2011 11:20:03 PM PDT by Bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: tired&retired
There are still a few states with no sales taxes....

Yes, there certainly are. Regardless of that, California isn't collecting any income tax revenue from their former Amazon affiliates.

65 posted on 08/24/2011 11:25:03 PM PDT by Bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Bob

Such is the nature of liberalism.


66 posted on 08/25/2011 4:45:45 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: americanophile

Bump.


67 posted on 08/25/2011 4:54:16 AM PDT by GlockThe Vote (The Obama Adminstration: The flash mob who wonÂ’t leave.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
Leftwingtards also imagine that if the ocean level rises (due to AGW, atom bombs, sinking shorelines) people will stand there with their mouths open and drown. This is a variation on the phenomenon called "magic thinking". People who engage in it should be prohibited from serving in public office or voting.

That is the most complete and accurate description of the California Legislature I have seen to date.

68 posted on 08/25/2011 11:29:42 AM PDT by Publius6961 (My world was lovely, until it was taken over by parasites.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
It's a lie that there are people who pay no taxes.

That is true.
But a distinction without a difference.

If the tax the parasites pay is 1% of what they get in welfare of all types, funded by producers who actually work, pragmatically they do pay no meaningful taxes.

69 posted on 08/25/2011 12:12:09 PM PDT by Publius6961 (My world was lovely, until it was taken over by parasites.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961
let's say Warren Buffet pays 15% and I pay 21%, that is wrong. But if some poor schlub with a 2nd grade education and mild retardation pays 1%, that is also wrong. He should pay nothing.

At the same time Warren Buffet intends to stiff most of his relatives. That should not be allowed. As he dies strip him of all his wealth and hand it out to his 500 closest blood relatives.

70 posted on 08/25/2011 1:04:07 PM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961

California’s lotus eating class are well known. What is worse they imagine they are superior to sea slugs.


71 posted on 08/25/2011 1:05:40 PM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-71 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson