The amount of tax charged will depend on factors such as the identity of the seller, the type of item purchased and the destination of the shipment, according to the retailer. The company has not said why they changed course on charging sales tax to North Carolina customers. Full story at: http://www.wral.com/Amazon_to_collect_NC_sales_tax/13310401/
It seems our State asked for the sales tax to be collected. Sherry http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/morning_call/2014/01/amazon-to-begin-charging-nc-sales.html Amazon has been targeted both by N.C. Department of Revenue and business owners who claim the sales tax exemption is unfair. In 2012 the Department of Revenue estimated the state was losing as much as $214 million in online sales taxes each year.
Was wondering when this was finally going to hit. We buy a great deal of item from Amazon. One of the major reasons was because of the lack of a sales tax on them. When you're buying a big ticket item the savings by buying from them can be significant. As long as they can keep their prices lower than elsewhere we will probably continue to use them but will definitely have to shop around more to make sure the deal is the best overall. Big box stores like Best Buy will be dancing in the street when this goes nation wide, which it will. Just a matter of time.
Well they fought it tooth and nail a few years back only to come out and say, 'alright, I guess.' Here's why: Appeasement, plain and simple. http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/01/23/3558684/online-retailer-amazon-to-make.html It looks like this is a way to get their foot in the door and make nice with NC. I am sure if they have a brick and mortar presence here they have no choice, but it makes me wonder what else went on.
And just because they start charging it does not mean that the consumer should not have been paying for it for years! There is a line item on the State Tax form for Purchases that were made and tax not paid! Amazon charging me Sales tax only means once again the government steals money from me. For the last x years I have paid for it when I file taxes. Now I will pay up front. I prefer the pay when I file method, however as the wise squirrel points out it is the only fair tax! I choose what I spend so if I don't like it I can not buy it.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/01/23/4635185/online-retailer-amazon-to-make.html#.UuMB7hAo6Uk "Amazon’s investment explains the timing of the company’s decision to begin collecting sales tax here."
