ABA firmly believes it is the responsibility of state leaders to uniformly and fairly enforce sales tax laws by requiring all retailers – whether they operate online, in bricks-and-mortar stores, or a combination of both – to fulfill their obligation to collect sales tax.
This is not special treatment for independent bookstores, but an equitable and uniform enforcement of state tax laws.
The online sales tax fairness issue is fully summarized by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.Booksellers may use these customizable materials to increase awareness of their stance on the online sales tax issue.
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Sample Op-Ed and Letter to Editor for New York State Booksellers
Adapt the Op-Ed template to send to your local media outlets, including television stations, or adapt the Letter to the Editor and send to your local media. An op-ed or a letter to the editor is an effective way of getting legislators attention.Sample Letters to New York State Legislators
Use these letters as they are -- or edit to your liking - to urge your Assemblyperson and Senator to support the Internet Sales Tax provision in New York State's proposed budget.
Sample letter to your Assemblyperson
Sample letter to your SenatorSample "Thank You" Letters to New York State Legislators
Use these letters as they are -- or edit to your liking - to thank your Assemblyperson and Senator for supporting the Internet Sales Tax provision in New York State's final budget.
Sample Thank You letter to your Assemblyperson
Sample Thank You letter to your Senator -
Sample Letter to State Governor
Use this letter as is - or edit to your liking - to urge your state governor to equitably enforce existing tax laws by requiring out-of-state retailers with nexus in your state to collect sales tax. -
Responses from State Officials & Trade Groups' Follow-up Letters
Seven independent trade groups sent a letter to the governors in the 45 states with sales tax calling on them to equitably enforce existing tax laws. Here are the responses from state officials and the trade groups' subsequent follow-up letters. -
ABA Applauds Gov. Spitzer's Call to Clarify Sales Tax
New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer announced that he is seeking legislative approval to clarify what constitutes nexus for online retailers selling to New York State residents.
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Letter From ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz to NYS Gov. Eliot Spitzer
A copy of the letter from ABA's Avin Domnitz decries the governor's decision to drop a plan to enforce existing sales tax laws. And here's a full update on the story.
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The E-Fairness Coalition
ABA is a partner in the Coalition, which advocates fairness for consumers and retailers large and small, bricks-and-mortar and online, nationwide. - Multistate Tax Commission An intergovernmental state tax agency that works to administer tax laws that apply to multistate and multinational enterprises.