Amazon! Β The company that changed the way you shop for just about everything you shop for. Β A massive selection of everything from acid-washed jeans to zombie repellent, and best of all: it was low-cost and tax-free. Β Keyword:Β was. Β
Amazon has given in to North Carolina’s demands to start adding state sales tax to anything you buy from the website. Β February 1 is when the tax gets added. Β The state figures it’s been missing out on up to $214 million per year in lost sales tax.
It’s not all Amazon’s fault, but they’re a pretty big player in online sales. Β It’s actually a combination of all the players in the mixβAmazon, Ebay, Best Buy, Overstockβwhatever sites you shop on. Β You’re supposed to list online purchases so you can pay when you file your state income tax report. Β But you didn’t. Β Nobody did.
In the past, online retailers have refused to add state tax in places where they didn’t have brick-and-mortar stores. Β You might be in North Carolina, but they’re not. Β Local store owners have argued that amounts to an unfair advantage for online-only stores. Β And now Amazon seems to be giving in. Β But the consumer is the one paying the price.
Our Man on the Edge, Robert Wilder, is an online shopping fanatic. Β So should he have to pay sales tax for stuff bought online?
