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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Amazon has revenge on and tries to punish Missouri


I just got this email this evening, from Amazon.  Seems they're upset. They don't like what's come out of our statehouse:


Greetings from the Amazon Associates Program.

We are writing from the Amazon Associates Program to notify you that your Associates account will be closed and your Amazon Services LLC Associates Program Operating Agreement will be terminated effective August 27, 2013. This is a direct result of the unconstitutional Missouri state tax collection legislation passed by the state legislature and signed by Governor Nixon on July 5, 2013, with an effective date of August 28, 2013. As a result, we will no longer pay any advertising fees for customers referred to an Amazon Site after August 27 nor will we accept new applications for the Associates Program from Missouri residents.

Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned prior to August 28, 2013 will be processed and paid in full in accordance with your regular advertising fee schedule. Based on your account closure date of August 27, 2013, any final payments will be paid by October 31, 2013.

While we oppose this unconstitutional state legislation, we strongly support the federal Marketplace Fairness Act now pending before Congress. Congressional legislation is the only way to create a simplified, constitutional framework to resolve interstate sales tax issues and it would allow us to re-open our Associates program to Missouri residents.

We thank you for being part of the Amazon Associates Program, and look forward to re-opening our program when Congress passes the Marketplace Fairness Act.


Sincerely,

The Amazon Associates Team

_________________________________

To which I respond:

Dear Amazon:

FO.

Just because you don't like it doesn't make it "unconstitutional."  Just ask retailers.


Sincerely,

Mo Rage



2 comments:

Tyler said...

Not sure whether it's unconstitutional or not, but it surely will have a negative effect on Missouri.

I work with some large affiliates who have already pulled out of Missouri as well. They're moving their tax filing addresses and HQs out of state.

The ones who get stuck with the bill are those smaller guys who can't afford to move their operation.

I wrote a blog about it here: http://conversioncoach.org/amazon-tax-missouri/

I hope this doesn't have a domino effect on smaller affiliates. If it does, it's going to be a sad day for local bloggers.

Mo Rage said...

Agreed (on the negative effects) .