Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
#1
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Even though it has no brick & mortar stores, just distribution centers, Texas claimed Amazon owed sales tax and Amazon has finally caved and agreed to start collecting sales tax from Texans. It's suggested that they won't have to pay or pay less the of the back taxes they supposedly owe.
I'll be making a lot fewer Amazon purchases (if any), and no local stores won't be picking up the slack. I'll just find another place (w/o sales tax) or just won't buy.
I'll be making a lot fewer Amazon purchases (if any), and no local stores won't be picking up the slack. I'll just find another place (w/o sales tax) or just won't buy.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Yep that is what I heard as well. Part of deal was that Amazon would reopen their Texas distribution center, hiring 2500 people and then not owe the $250 million Texas claimed in back taxes. But Amazon would have to collect Texas tax and Amazon denies owing that back tax in the first place but will do this to settle the matter.
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
It's staring in September in California but apparently there's a measure for it to be overturned on the November ballot. We shall see.
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Connecticut passed the law last year, which went into effect right away. However, I have yet to be assessed sales tax on a single Amazon order.
Maybe these sate governments should learn to operate more efficiently instead of finding new ways to take money from their citizenry.
Maybe these sate governments should learn to operate more efficiently instead of finding new ways to take money from their citizenry.
#7
DVD Talk God
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Arizona already tried but failed. I'm sure we'll see another measure on the ballot soon.
#8
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Give it a few years and there won't be anymore sites w/out sales tax. The good old days are rapidly coming to an end.
#9
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
I've mentioned it before, but being in KY, we've paid tax on Amazon for as long as I can remember. It didn't affect my purchasing one bit, in fact with Prime I shop there more. The "hassle free delivered to my door in two days (even with tax)", trumps wasting gas & time, standing in lines and dealing with moronic B&M employees(or other customers) any day of the week.
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Isn't the "physical location" law what governed catalog sales for so long? I guess the thinking was that it was such a small amount of overall business, and any "unfair advantage" in prices was more than offset by the cost of shipping, so brick and motor stores didn't complain.
#11
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
I actually like going to Target and shop, so now unless the price at Amazon is at least 10% cheaper, I'll just buy local. Target's 5% red card discount offsets some of the tax.
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
There's a distribution center opening in California in 2013 so even if the law gets overturned on the ballot in November it will only be for a couple of months until it opens.
#14
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Right now, Amazon Marketplace sellers have the option of taking sales tax on items they sell. So 2 questions:
1) Will sales tax automatically be added to marketplace sellers who ship from their own store?
2) Will sales tax automatically be added to marketplace sellers who "fulfill by Amazon"?
Don't know the laws.
As far as deals go, Amazon really only had the "no sales tax" thing going for it most of the time. Almost all of their best deals were PM's to Best Buy or Target. Now with this, I can see my purchases at Amazon to drop significantly. The other draw for me was the Amazon MP sellers, who sometimes have some really great deals. But if sales tax is added onto these as well, I will probably find the same closeout item on eBay. For the most part, it will probably not hurt them too much, but for bargain hunters like me, it will be the straw the breaks the camel's back.,
1) Will sales tax automatically be added to marketplace sellers who ship from their own store?
2) Will sales tax automatically be added to marketplace sellers who "fulfill by Amazon"?
Don't know the laws.
As far as deals go, Amazon really only had the "no sales tax" thing going for it most of the time. Almost all of their best deals were PM's to Best Buy or Target. Now with this, I can see my purchases at Amazon to drop significantly. The other draw for me was the Amazon MP sellers, who sometimes have some really great deals. But if sales tax is added onto these as well, I will probably find the same closeout item on eBay. For the most part, it will probably not hurt them too much, but for bargain hunters like me, it will be the straw the breaks the camel's back.,
#15
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
sales tax kills every b & m deal. all this is going to do is punish amazon and give ebay an advantage (though pay pal fees are pretty much a sales tax too). it all kills the internet a little bit at a time
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
A lot of the bigger eBay sellers charge sales tax if you live in the same state from where they ship.
#17
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Amazon came with an agreement with Nevada to collect sales tax starting in 2014.
#18
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
I sympathize.
At least you have a good bit of warning. And it sounds like all of the States will have Amazon collecting for them soon, so locking in 2014 could mean that you're one of the last to have to pay it. The end of an era for us all.
At least you have a good bit of warning. And it sounds like all of the States will have Amazon collecting for them soon, so locking in 2014 could mean that you're one of the last to have to pay it. The end of an era for us all.
#20
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Good question. They do all the math when you place the order, but don't charge your card until they ship. I'm inclined to think they won't charge tax on any order before July 1.
#21
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Are all of you in Texas? Since it's if you live in Texas and order off Amazon that you have to pay the sales tax on the item that you order.
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
As much as I hate this, it really is the correct thing. Amazon's claim that having the distribution center doesn't establish a business presence or trigger nexus is rather silly.
#24
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Damn! Anyone know if there is any way to cash out an Amazon GC / credit? Is it even transferable (if I do 'sell' it, how to get the funds over to another person / account?) Hard to believe that the value of my credit will actually go *down* 9.x% because of the goddamed sales tax!
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Amazon - Texans to pay sales tax starting July 1
Soon they're going to charge the Astros and Rockets too.
But seriously, even when it comes to my state, I don't think I'll stop shopping from them if the price is the same. It's just too convenient, and what I really like about online shopping is the wide selection.
But seriously, even when it comes to my state, I don't think I'll stop shopping from them if the price is the same. It's just too convenient, and what I really like about online shopping is the wide selection.