Metro Jacksonville

QuoteTALLAHASSEE -- Internet giant Amazon.com will start to collect sales taxes on purchases made by Floridians starting May 1.

For Floridians who are supposed to pay the taxes but haven't, the announcement of Amazon's entry into the state's brick-and-mortar retail landscape could mean about $80 million a year in sales taxes, according to one business lobbying group.

Ty Rogers, a spokesman for the Seattle-based retailer, responded simply in an email on Wednesday that "Amazon will be required to collect sales tax in Florida beginning on May 1."

The announcement isn't unexpected as the company is building a pair of massive "fulfillment" centers along the Interstate 4 corridor.

Full article:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/16/4063789/amazon-to-start-charging-sales.html

Noooooooooo.... Between this and the bump up to $35 minimum limits for free shipping Amazon will be less cost effective than brick and mortar stores :(

Get your orders in now, they're going up 7% next week!:)

Honestly, I've been shopping less at amazon since best buy started price matching them.

I've been dreading this too - Already @ 5%, if Target can find another 2% discount with the Red Card, they'll close the gap with my online shopping.

I'll be more likely to use Amazon now as they'll no longer have an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortars who contribute to the tax base.

Quote from: coredumped on April 22, 2014, 10:42:29 AM
Get your orders in now, they're going up 7% next week!:)

Honestly, I've been shopping less at amazon since best buy started price matching them.

what? when did Best Buy start doing this?

Quote from: jaxjaguar on April 22, 2014, 12:15:14 PM
what? when did Best Buy start doing this?

March 2013:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2013/02/19/best-buys-price-match-gauruntee-a-smart-but-very-late-salvo-against-showrooming/

Quote from: coredumped on April 22, 2014, 12:42:35 PM

Quote from: jaxjaguar on April 22, 2014, 12:15:14 PM
what? when did Best Buy start doing this?

March 2013:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2013/02/19/best-buys-price-match-gauruntee-a-smart-but-very-late-salvo-against-showrooming/

Wow... that's awesome! Thanks for the info. I had no idea. You'd think they'd advertise that more.

I'm with Tacachale.  I'm actually fine with this.  If I shop at WalMart, I pay sales tax.  If I happen to order something off HSN on TV, I pay sales tax.  Not having to get in my car and go shopping is worth something to me, and even if I do, I still have to pay sales tax.

Most of the time I buy from Amazon isn't based on price, but that only they (or some other online outfit) even have what I'm looking for in the first place. I probably won't bother to renew Prime, though.

Quote from: jlehr on April 22, 2014, 01:33:41 PM
Most of the time I buy from Amazon isn't based on price, but that only they (or some other online outfit) even have what I'm looking for in the first place. I probably won't bother to renew Prime, though.

Worth noting that Amazon Prime just got bumped to $100 a year.

Quote from: Tacachale on April 22, 2014, 10:56:20 AM
I'll be more likely to use Amazon now as they'll no longer have an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortars who contribute to the tax base.

Agreed 100%

A study on JBJ saying that Amazon tax collection hurts sales in Florida. To what degree of 'Amazon sales being hurt in Florida' of course is remained to be seen.

www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2014/04/study-shows-amazon-tax-collection-hurts-sales-in.html

Anyone know does Ebay collect tax sales in Florida?

Quote from: I-10east on April 22, 2014, 04:50:55 PM
Anyone know does Ebay collect tax sales in Florida?

Depends on the seller. If it's a big seller and they have a shop in Florida (Like Dell) you will. If it's someone like newegg or a private person no, you're supposed to file that in April, just like I do ever year :D :D :D

Quote from: I-10east on April 22, 2014, 04:50:55 PMAnyone know does Ebay collect tax sales in Florida?

In almost all cases, Ebay is not the retailer.  Rather, Ebay acts like a broker, matching buyers and sellers, and taking a cut of the sales price.  Each seller may or may not be obligated to collect sales tax from buyers, depending on two things:

(1) Is the seller a retailer, or more of a casual seller?  Casual sales are generally not subject to sales & use tax (other than cars, boats, etc.).  The line between retailer and casual seller can sometimes be a blurry one.

(2) If the seller is a retailer, does the seller have a physical presence in the buyer's home state?  If so, the seller is likely obligated to collect sales tax.  Common examples of physical presence include a home office, a storefront, or a warehouse.

For example, local company Fanatics sells a lot of merchandise on Ebay.  Fanatics is most certainly a retailer with an obvious physical presence in Florida.  Accordingly, if a Florida resident buys something from Fanatics through Ebay, the invoice will include the requisite 6-7% sales tax.