New York Legislature Passes “Amazon Tax” Bill into Law: Online retailers must begin collecting sales tax on purchases shipped to New York

We recently posted about the so-called “Amazon Tax” in New York here.  Last night, the New York Legislature passed a Bill that requires online retailers to begin collecting sales taxes on purchases shipped to the state, even if they have no operations or employees working there.  New York Governor David Paterson is expected to sign the measure soon.

Amazon Tax: Sales Tax Proposed for e-commerce Affiliate Sites in New York

InternetNews Realtime IT News – N.Y. Lawmakers Near Vote on 'Amazon Tax'

As New York lawmakers hash out the state's budget, one contentious issue may have a dramatic impact beyond the Empire State: A provision requiring many online retailers to collect sales tax on state residents' purchases.

The provision, now facing a coming vote as part of state legislators' 11th-hour efforts to pass a state budget, could require e-tailers to collect taxes even if they have no employees or offices within the state.

If signed into law with the budget, the so-called "Amazon tax" would apply to merchants offering commissions in exchange for customer referrals, a practice known among Internet retailers as an affiliate program.

Many online retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Buy.com, have programs that allow individuals or organizations to include a link to the e-commerce site on their own Web page. The affiliate receives a commission for sales generated through the referral.

Technorati Tags: e-commerce, affiliate, amazon

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