I was fired…
Posted by: TammyBack in the spring, there was talk of the state of CT trying to force Amazon to collect CT sales tax by saying that Amazon associates (like myself) constituted a ‘physical presence’ in the state by Amazon. This declaration is in response to the Supreme Court saying that a state can’t force a company to collect sales tax for said state unless the business (like Amazon) has a physical presence in the state. So, that said, Amazon sent me this email after the State of CT approved this stand:
Hello,
For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of Connecticut residents. Unfortunately, the budget signed by Governor Malloy contains a sales tax provision that compels us to terminate this program for Connecticut-based participants effective immediately. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers – including but not limited to those referred by Connecticut-based affiliates like you – even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.
We opposed this new tax law because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It was supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside Connecticut, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.
As a result of the new law, contracts with all Connecticut residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program will be terminated today, June 10, 2011. …”
I wasn’t the only one unhappy with the decision (or the swiftness of their ax!) http://somethinginteresting.com/2011/06/10/amazon-drops-ct-associates/#comment-99
Generally, I try to avoid politics because simply put, I don’t think that most politicians really have a clue (about anything). Malloy is claiming that the state is losing millions in tax revenue because online companies like Amazon won’t collect sales tax. Isn’t it bad enough that the state has a use tax and somehow thinks it’s their right to tell me that if I buy a $30 pair of sneakers for one of my boys out of state (we do a serious amount of camping out of state and this isn’t uncommon), that I’m expected to come back to CT, confess my purchase and give them 6.35% sales tax! The store AND the purchase were not in CT but they still want my money! Even more of a hassle is that if I pay 4% sales tax in the other state for the sneakers, I’m suppose to pay the difference to the state of CT!
So, back to being fired. Malloy and the legislature must have decided that losing my income tax (and that of hundreds and maybe thousands of others) was an acceptable ‘shared sacrifice’ (the new catch phrase around here) to the money that will be generated in sales tax (not sure how they’ll generate that tax now that Amazon no longer has the suggested physical presence in the state with all of us fired).
I didn’t make a ton of money as an Amazon associate but it was growing as I put in my affiliate ads and wrote more articles and got more traffic here. BUT it was income that I was making with MY website! This is money out of my pocket and I’m angry! Can I take income out of the state’s pocket???
Oh yeah, if I take money out of their pocket, it’s because I didn’t file my state income tax and I’m breaking the law! I’m the thief! They call themselves politicians. Same difference I guess.