I have a few small affiliate businesses on the side, to earn a little money from Amazon and Christian Book Distributors. New York State is (once again) killing business (and the Constitution) by forcing Amazon (and it’s subsidiaries) to charge New Yorkers sales taxes on purchases, even though there are no physical Amazon stores in New York. The Supreme Court, years ago, ruled on this. Not that New York cares. You can read more about this issue here at the Tax Foundation. New York’s actions– charging sales taxes on goods purchased out of New York State and delivered to the state– is a breach of the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution, but since when has New York abided by something so trivial as the U.S. Constitution? Certainly not when there’s money to be made!.
So I got this in my email inbox today.
Dear Affiliate,
As you may be aware, New York State legislators have passed the new “Amazon Tax” bill requiring out-of-state online retailers to collect state taxes on purchases being shipped to New York addresses because they have affiliates that live in the state.
Unfortunately, we will be affected by this new tax bill because of our relationship with you and in order for us to avoid a nexus issue, we are being forced to terminate our affiliation with you effective immediately.
We appreciate your past efforts on our behalf and please know that this is something that we do not enjoy doing, but due to the situation, have no choice.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Doesn’t New York State know what they are doing?!?!?! Of course they do! And we all watch, as the moving trucks keep coming…
Do me a favor– Stumble this post to get the word out. New York has GOT to change!
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July 23rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Ooh, look at me smiling out from your EntreCard today! You would not believe what goes on here at night when you are fast asleep. Don’t worry, what happens with Roxy stays with Roxy….thanks for letting me “advertise” with you.
I sympathize on the evils of New York State. My family moved out of NYC to the lovely Roxiticus Valley in October 2003, but my husband and I still office on Park Avenue South. Therefore, New York finds plenty of ways to get a piece of my pie.
Years back, one vendor who was raising rates yet again started the letter of explanation with “New York is a special place…” and that’s what we say in my office in reaction to such gems as the Amazon tax on an ongoing basis.
Roxy
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I have “stumbled” and also “dugg.” I hate it when states pull crap like this. It’s no wonder why people are leaving N.Y. They are making it very hard on families. I live in California, so I feel your pain.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:47 am
This is just another way for government (local, Federal, State) to cheat people out of a decent living. I have to wonder if the politicians aren’t going out of the way to destroy our economy just so they can create their own “Reccession”. Its very disturbing.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Hello Roxy. Yes, New York State has gotten itself quite the reputation, hasn’t it?
VH, I sincerely appreciate your efforts. And my empathy extends to your end of the continent, as well!
Matthias, I am one of those who do believe this is all part of a government plan. Because at the same time NYS (and the feds) are killing our businesses and our livelihoods, they are extending an open hand of welfare and along with it, more control of our lives.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Very depressing story on a rainy Thursday morning!
Gah!
I stumbled and dugg it too!
Carole
July 24th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
That is awful. What a bunch of dummies. Off to Stumble this.
August 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
What a bunch of crooks, trying to cheat hard working people out of earnng a few extra dollars. I wonder if they put so much effort into catching real crooks?