Small Business Reading Room

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The State of NY Invents New Tax

Lawmakers in the State of New York have approved a new bill aimed at requiring online retailers to collect sales tax on items shipped to New York.

The bill, called the "Amazon Tax", is now awaiting signature from New York governor David Patterson. If approved, it is estimated to generate $50 million in tax revenue for the state.

That's not to say that the bill will actually be upheld in the courts, if and when it is challenged. What a waste of taxpayer money.

This is politics and the failure of lawmakers at its best. Why does the legislature in Albany need to demonstrate fiscal responsibility when you can just invent taxes? Why spend taxpayer dollars to fight in court when effective government can be so much more effective, and less expensive? Sadly, it the people and the businesses of New York who suffer in the end.

Delaware has no sales tax or personal property tax. It can be done. You just need to have the interest of the people and business in mind. Remove barriers to business & commerce rather than construct them. That's what the State of Delaware does. That's why so many businesses incorporate in Delaware and make this state their home.

posted by Unknown at 10:30 AM - permalink 5 comments

5 Comments:

It's good to live in the State of Tax Free Shopping!

By Larry, at 7:18 AM

Well, that didn't take long:

Amazon Sues Over State Law on Collection of Sales Tax

By Anonymous, at 2:33 PM

More NY fall out:
Overstock.com has decided to ditch its New York affiliates rather than collect and pay sales tax to the state

By Unknown, at 3:50 PM

I guess this was the next, logical step:

Overstock.com sues New York state over new online sales-tax law

By Anonymous, at 12:03 PM

This is the post that just keeps on giving!

State wants Amazon, Overstock.com lawsuits consolidated

By Unknown, at 2:02 PM