Bill Crowell wrote:

Bill, you have my deepest respect for actually going to the source and
reading it.

These days too many people talk about killing grandma, disappearing
gun rights, socialism, and all sorts of other stupidity without
bothering to actually read the documents about which they're
complaining (or a dictionary).

My response is simply "where does it say that?" Show me the text of
the legislation (or technical document) and let's see if it's explicit
or subject to interpretation. Unfortunately too many people spouting
unsubstantiated rhetoric will continue to argue even when the facts
are presented right in front of them. It's tough to have a battle of
wits with unarmed opponents.

Kudos to you Bill.

T

This thread seems particularly rife with alarmist misinformation.

Firstly, why shouldn't internet sales be subject to local sales tax?
Why should purchases from Amazon and other internet retailers be
exempt from the sales taxes that local merchants are required to
collect? It seems a rather unfair burden to force local businesses to
subsidize their internet competition. In WA state, businesses that buy
supplies via mail-order or the internet and don't pay sales tax are
subject to a self-reported "use tax." It's the first thing on the
auditor's checklist. My guess is that most other states have similar
laws.

Secondly, regarding NC, my understanding is that rather than comply
with a law requiring internet retailers with affiliates in NC to
collect NC sales tax, Amazon simply fired all their NC affiliates.

NC has also offered a "tax amnesty" program to all internet retailers,
where if they agree to start collecting sales tax on NC purchases from
Sept 1st onwards they will be exempt from all taxes, penalties and
interest for prior sales.

States need tax revenue to deliver essential services including
police, fire, health, and education. Local tax laws reflect this
reality. Communities rely on local businesses to create jobs and
provide market solutions to local needs. Local retail purchases should
be subject to local tax laws, regardless of whether the transaction
takes place at the corner store, via mail order, or over the internet.
Amazon does not need nor deserve a tax subsidy.

/Scott Ballinger
Pareto Corporation
Edmonds WA USA
206 713 6006
On Apr 30, 6:09*am, "Ed Sheehan" <NOedsS... (AT) xmission (DOT) com> wrote: