6/18/08

Watch Out: Amazon Started Charging Sales Tax on New York Deliveries

Answer to my inquiry to Amazon about why I was charged sales tax on a Father's Day gift that I sent to my dad in NY...
Greetings from Amazon.com.

I'm sorry for any misunderstanding regarding sales tax charged on your order. ...

As required by the law, we began collecting New York sales tax on taxable items sold by Amazon on June 1, 2008...

Additionally, Amazon has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the newly enacted New York State law requiring out-of-state sellers to collect and remit sales tax based on advertising in New York.

Please note that if you placed an order prior to June 1, your Order Total may not have included an estimate of New York sales taxes, but those taxes may still be charged if your order is readied for shipment on or after that date.

At this time, we are unable to predict the outcome of this lawsuit, including the fate of the New York sales tax amounts collected by Amazon and remitted to the State of New York.

Thank you for shopping at Amazon.com.

1 comment:

John D. Enright said...

As a lawyer, I can tell you that this is a really complex issue. It's ultimately going to be resolved by the Supremes.