E-commerce

In a March 18 editorial, the New York Times said, “Collecting state taxes is not an unreasonable burden for online retailers,” and “states should not give in to Amazon’s pressure tactics.”

On the heels of the passage of an affiliate nexus law in Illinois, sales tax fairness bills in Vermont, Arkansas, and Minnesota have had early successes.

In what is a significant victory for sales tax fairness, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn today signed sales tax fairness legislation into law. HB3659 will require remote retailers with broad networks of online affiliates in Illinois to collect and remit sales tax for purchases made by Illinois residents.

On Monday, March 7, the California Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard testimony regarding one of several sales tax equity bills expected to be introduced this legislative session. Speakers at the hearing included NCIBA Executive Director Hut Landon.

The national fight for sales tax equity garnered prominent media attention this week, even as Amazon.com threatened to terminate its affiliate marketers in California should the state pass e-fairness legislation.

On Monday, February 28, ABA indicated its strong support of the decision by Random House to adopt the agency pricing model for the publisher’s e-books. Under the agency model, a publisher sets a retail price for a specific book, which establishes a level playing field for all resellers.

ABA members that sign an IndieCommerce contract between now and May 31, 2011, can use IndieCommerce for only $100 per month for the first three months.

Rather than comply with an assessment from the state of Texas to pay $269 million in uncollected sales tax, Amazon.com has announced that it will close its distribution facility in the Dallas suburb of Irving on April 12 and will cancel plans to build additional facilities in the state.

The North Carolina Department of Revenue has reached a settlement in the legal fight regarding the state’s request for sales data from Amazon.com in its efforts to recoup an estimated $50 million in lost tax revenue for online purchases.

Monsoon Commerce Solutions, a provider of online marketplace-based solutions for sellers and retailers, and ABA have announced a strategic partnership that will provide booksellers with increased opportunities to grow their online sales.

Representatives from Monsoon, a company that provides tools for online retailers, will be giving demonstrations of its software at the Wi6’s Consultation Station on Friday afternoon, January 21.

On January 6, the Illinois House of Representatives passed HB3659, legislation that contains a sales tax fairness provision. The bill, which was approved by the state Senate on Wednesday, January 5, will require remote retailers with online affiliates in the state acting as sales agents to collect and remit sales tax for purchases made by Illinois residents.

ABA, Above the Treeline, and Google are partnering to promote independent bookstores online through Google Local Shopping.

HarperCollins has created a program that encourages retailers to use e-commerce tools to sell Harper print and e-book titles. The program directly benefits ABA IndieCommerce stores.

USA Today Bestsellers: E-book sales outdo print; E-mail and search engines primary drivers of retail web traffic; BISG finds strong preference for print textbooks; W.G. Ellerkamp recognized for commitment to sustainability