Amazon, State Settle Sales Tax Fight
Amazon.com will start collecting sales taxes from Texas customers this summer and agreed to make capital investments of $200 million and create 2,500 jobs in the state over the next four years, Comptroller Susan Combs announced this morning. In return, the state will drop its efforts to collect back sales taxes from the company.
The online retailing giant hasn't been collecting sales taxes from customers in Texas (and in many other states), citing a provision in the law that exempts companies without a physical presence in the state from taking part. The comptroller filed a $269 million ...
Comments (17)
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It will be interesting to see if they live up to their promises. Doubtful.
Lisa Rogers-Davis via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Dislike! I am an Amazon Prime customer. Love the free shipping and also liked that there was no Texas sales tax.
Benjamin Collins via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Grumble grumble.
Matthew J Christensen via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Dislike
Sharon Cooper Morgan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just to be clear, Amazon was operating legally so the Texas legislature changed their laws for clarification. I love Amazon! Texas legislature, not so much.
visule
I love Amazon and they are fully correct in their position that internet sales to Texans are not subject to Texas Sales tax. Amazon made a mistake with that Irving warehouse; they should never have taunted the Comptroller’s Office. Amazon negotiated the best way out that ends the dispute. At least we gained some jobs. All those large box retailers thinking they won a victory will continue to lose market share with their outdated business model.
Melanie Somerville via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I won't be buying anymore fm Amazon - will find another place to keep from paying sales tax. Too bad, cause I really like Amazon....
Melanie Somerville via Texas Tribune on Facebook
PS I hate the Texas Legislature
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is only the beginning... Soon they will go after other companies & other states will soon jump on the Texas bandwagon. This is the beginning of the end of no sales tax online purchases.
John Lyng via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Making purchases online instead of locally hurts your own local economy. You should check out www.350project.net. The couple of dollars that you think you're saving end up costing later.
Riley LovesJoy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Looks like I wont be shopping on Amazon after next month.. thanks for the heads up.
Fred Talmadge
So it looks like our Republican leaders have raised my taxes. Now how about giving some of that money to the schools
Samdavis
How much of the new revenue will go in the education budget? Not a penny but I'll bet Perry's well-heeled campaign donors already have plans for the money.
Lu Ann Ferguson
They're not waiting until summer--my daughter just ordered a book and they charged sales tax.
Stuart Greenfield
Given that the Comptroller will be receiving $3.5 billion in additional sales tax during this biennium, allowing Jeff Bezos, who attended River Oaks Elementary School in Houston, to keep $269 million will reduce the underestimate for sales tax collection. I would prefer a smaller error to a larger error. For those looking to obtain books at the lowest cost, one should use www.addall.com to find the lowest total cost of purchasing a book.
GS Crispus
I don't think some of you realize that just because Amazon was under no obligation to collect sales tax, did not mean you (as a purchaser) were exempt from paying sales tax.
Bologna Vest
Wow. Way to post, using your own name (and even a picture) that you've been evading paying the Use Tax.
http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/use/