July 1st: Amazon begins taxing purchases

[sjfcontrol]

As crimes go, I guess it's not much worse than a CHL carrying in a bar or school.

Seriously?
Ok, what is the level of crime for not reporting out of state purchases?

[ELB]

I've noticed that Amazon has collected tax on some, but not all, of my purchases over the last few months. I guess starting now it will be everything.

I am as happy as the next to save money, but I never did think it was exactly fair for internet businesses to escape the sales tax routine while brick and mortar stores in Texas could not. When the internet was first cranking up, I could see skipping the sales tax for awhile to encourage the internet business climate, but now I don't think it needs much encouragement (and would gladly swap all government "encouragement" via the tax code if they would get the hades out of our business anyway).

In the old days, when to buy out of state meant driving across the line and paying the other state's sales tax, then giving Texans a break on paying yet another sales tax once back in the state makes sense (not to mention that it was harder then than now (on internet purchases) to determine who bought out of state). But the internet changed this situation.

And for those who think the state can't tell what you've purchased over the internet -- small guys may not keep long term records, but Amazon remembers everything you ever bought, it's part of their market research and selling strategy. I think one of the earlier legal brouhahas was state tax collectors wanting Amazon and others to fork over that data so the tax man could mail you a bill...

[Jumping Frog]

I get better deals on EBay

Yeah, but eBay scams are so common as to be a cliche, whereas in 17 years on Amazon, I have always had perfect customer service. I'll pay a little extra for a company that stands behind its products.

[57Coastie]

I get better deals on EBay

Yeah, but eBay scams are so common as to be a cliche, whereas in 17 years on Amazon, I have always had perfect customer service. I'll pay a little extra for a company that stands behind its products.

+1

Jim

[ddstuder]

I just placed an order on Amazon for some HDMI cables and was not charged sales tax.

[recaffeination]

Google tried to charge me sales tax and shipping for a Nexus 7 tablet so I canceled the order. I'm willing to pay one or the other but not both. It bumped the price from 250 to almost 290.

[teri]

I just placed an order on Amazon for some HDMI cables and was not charged sales tax.

I think if the item actually comes FROM Amazon it is taxed. If it is one of their sellers and they don't have a store in Texas, no tax. A couple days ago I was charged tax for MP3s and an ebook but not for some haircare products.