Amazon Colorado Tax

Amazon Reacts To Colorado Internet Sales Tax Measure By Firing Its Colorado Associates

Updated: 03- 8-10 04:57 PM

In response to recent legislation in Colorado (HB 10-1193), Amazon.com has sent a letter to its affiliates in Colorado informing them that the on-line sales giant will no longer be advertising through businesses in the state that that make money by referring buyers.

In order to close a $1.5 Billion budget gap, Colorado Democrats this session have passed a law that would make it possible to collect sales taxes on on-line purchases by creating an economic nexus between state residents and on-line retailers.

The bill, which was part of a package of tax measures aimed at increasing revenue, originally sought to create a nexus between the state and on-line retailers based on their ties to local affiliate websites, which link to products. The bill was ultimately altered due largely to fears that retailers like Amazon would simply cut ties to Colorado companies that make money by referring buyers.

The final bill, which was signed into law in February, instead required large online retailers to start collecting sales taxes or provide a summary of people’s web purchases in the state, leaving affiliates out of the equation. This created an economic nexus without making local affiliates a scapegoat for paying local sales taxes.

Amazon has apparently elected to cut dies to its Colorado affiliates regardless. Colorado affiliate Nat Torkington wrote “So let me get this straight: I’ve done nothing, and Amazon just fired me?”

The letter has already drawn responses from Colorado Legislators. In a tweet, Senator Greg Brophy said he “will seek emergency legislation if necessary to fix” to problem.

In a press release, Governor Bill Ritter admonished Amazon:

“Amazon has taken a disappointing – and completely unjustified – step of ending its relationship with associates. While Amazon is blaming a new state law for its action, the fact is that Amazon is simply trying to avoid compliance with Colorado law and is unfairly punishing Colorado businesses in the process.”

Republicans, who unanimously opposed the measure to collect sales tax from on-line purchases, said Amazon was justified in its decision to fire Colorado affiliates.

“I don’t think you can blame Amazon,” Minority Leader Rep. Mike May told the Denver Post.