E-commerce

Lawmakers in Michigan and Florida recently introduced affiliate nexus bills that would require remote retailers with a presence in the state via online affiliates acting as sales agents to collect and remit sales tax.

The International Council of Shopping Centers has released the results of a national poll that found a majority of Americans support the Congressional effort to require online retailers to collect sales tax at the point-of-purchase.

On October 26, in its SEC quarterly filing, Amazon.com announced that, as part of a settlement with the state of Arizona, on February 1, 2013, the company would begin collecting and remitting transaction privilege tax (TPT, Arizona’s sales tax) to Arizona on in-state purchases.

Beginning this Saturday, California consumers who shop at Amazon.com will notice a big change when they go to the checkout page to pay for their orders: the online retailer will be collecting sales tax on their orders.

The push for sales tax fairness in California and Pennsylvania, which came to a head in 2011, will bear fruit next month.

On Tuesday, July 24, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary held a full committee hearing on the Marketplace Equity Act (H.R. 3179), which seeks to level the playing field in regard to the equitable collection of sales tax for online purchases.

On Tuesday, July 24, the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee will hold a full committee hearing on the Marketplace Equity Act (H.R. 3179). Booksellers are urged to contact their representatives to voice support for the e-fairness bill.

With a House hearing on the Marketplace Equity Act less than two weeks away, booksellers are urged to contact their representatives to ask for their support of the sales tax fairness bill.

As the July 1 deadline for Amazon to begin collecting sales tax in Texas approached, a number of newspapers across the country published editorials declaring that the time had come for sales tax fairness.

“Big Break for Small Business,” the second annual contest sponsored by American Express OPEN and Facebook, will award five winning businesses both $25,000 to grow their businesses and a one-on-one strategy session. The entry period ends July 13.

On Sunday, July 1, under the parameters of a deal struck with the Texas comptroller’s office, Amazon.com will begin collecting and remitting sales tax to Texas for purchases made by state residents from Amazon and its many subsidiaries.

This week, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) urged his state’s U.S. senators to support the Marketplace Fairness Act, federal legislation that would allow states to require remote retailers to collect and remit sales tax in the state.

On May 30, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced that that the state had come to an agreement with Amazon.com that will have the retailer begin collecting and remitting state sales tax in exchange for opening two new warehouses in New Jersey.

ABA is encouraging its members to reach out to their state governors and federal lawmakers in support of sales tax fairness legislation currently under consideration in the U.S. House and Senate.

In a letter to the U.S. Senate dated May 9, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder publicly announced his support for the Marketplace Fairness Act (S. 1832).