« eBay Wins Trademark Suit VS. Tiffany | Main | Tiffany Etoile Replica by Exceldiamonds.com »

Should Internet Diamond Web Sites Pay State Sales Taxes On Your Engagement Rings?

Yes, say Brick and Mortar Retail jewelers who maintain that they are at distinct disadvantage versus their Internet competition and thus not operating on a level playing field. They are lobbying State legislatures as well as the Federal Government to enact law that will require Internet Jewelers and all Internet vendors to collect sales taxes.


What has operated in favor of Internet vendors is the strict definition of what constitutes an actual place of business, thanks to a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision. In Quill v. North Dakota, the court ruled that a company must have a "physical presence" for a state to require that company to collect sales taxes.


The Quill decision underscores an irony: While retailers and their affiliates may benefit from not charging online sales tax, the states those businesses are located in stand to lose big money every year. States are losing between $10 billion and $25 billion a year in online tax revenue, according to the Multistate Tax Commission in Washington, D.C. That's money that would find its way into state treasuries if those sales took place in physical stores within their borders.


Case in point is Amazon.com. Amazon's report to the Securities and Exchange Commission acknowledges that the price advantage with which the company starts out vis-à-vis local stores and other competitors that are obligated to charge sales taxes is a key strategic asset. By claiming sales tax immunity in the vast majority of states, Amazon has enjoyed a 5 percent to 10 percent price advantage over local retailers, while also depriving states and localities of hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue each year.


As the Internet grows and consumers make more purchases online; State legislators will face increasing pressure weighing the issue's political implications vs. the need to raise needed revenue to pay off increasing deficits. Tax scholars will continue to debate exactly what defines a business' "physical presence" in the context of 21st century Internet-based commerce, and the patchwork of different sales tax laws and relationships with the online business model will likely stay a muddled mess.


Our view is that with the current deficit ridden state of the US economy, the explosion of Federal entitlement programs, erosion of the tax bases due to rising unemployment, the pressure to enact Internet tax collection across State lines may very well become a reality sooner than you think.


Posted by Barry Gutwein on April 8, 2010 4:06 PM in Diamond and Jewelry Websites. | Comments (33)

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://blogadmin.diamondvues.com/mt-track-back.cgi/15837

Comments

Hello, i would love to say you thank you very much for writing us that very informative blog. it is honestly a somewhat interesting blog post.

I have discovered this website very useful. Now i've better thought on my auto insurance.Amazing! Picture looking yahoo and google for hours only for this and that i finally suppose it's in this article!

I have discovered that website and if I might I would like to tell you some helpful idea. Perhaps you may publish more articles reffering to this one. I would like to read some more about it!

The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's larger screen and better browser may be important.

Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.

Among the most suitable websites I have found for facts within this particular niche market. I'll be coming back continually for new pages.

Between me and my husband we've owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I've settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.

Hello. This article was extremely of interest to me, mostly because I was looking for thoughts on this subject last night.

I found your post on Google a minute ago and truly love it.. i bookmarked it and will come back to check it out some more tomorrow

Good site. You definetivly know what you are discussing about here. I'm so happy I was able to find your site. I hope to read more great writing from you. Keep up the awesome work

Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I'm not sure I'd want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.

Between me and my husband we've owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I've settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.

a couple days ago, a good friend sent me an institutional video of nick??? .what do you give thought to the c??? ? it looks somewhat out of system?-

Aol. certainly 1o. From time to time i really like wolff lins and from time to time i hate them, but Im in enjoy ridht now

Yale is outdated logo flat out sucked. My cat could have performed that.

In case you do notthoughts my asking, do you make terrific cash from th is blog?

Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.

Straight for the stage and effectively written, thanks much for the info

That is actually a grand strategy Eddie Jacobs.

I just added th is website to my favorites. I really enjoy studying your posts. Tyvm! Frankly I tend not to participate on blogs, but I would like to say that th is document really convinced me to do so! Congratulations, really good publ ish.

congrats on having a successfull amazing lookin blog.. I wish I could write like you man.. seriously

Outstanding weblog, thanks for writing th is publish

Thanks for that l ist, the l ist will conserve me a good deal of time.

WoW EU Leveling - WoW Leveling Guides, Tools & Gold Tips. Visit us at www.wow-eu-leveling.com

Im no expert, but I believe you just made the best point. You clearly know a whole lot about what youre talking about, and I can actually get behind that. Thanks for becoming so upfront and so honest about the subject matter. I actually feel like I have a much better understanding now.

You...are...my...hero!!! I cant believe something like this exists on the internet! Its so true, so honest, and much more than which you dont sound like an idiot! Finally, an individual who knows how you can talk about a subject without sounding like a kid who didnt get that bike he wanted for Christmas.

I feel far more individuals have to read blogs like this. Its so essential to know how you can construct a fantastic weblog to get men and women interested and youve carried out just that. The content is excellent, the videos are ideal for what youre trying to say. Awesome, man. Actually awesome! Cant wait to read more.

Just a question. Do you feel you could add just a little more within the way of content here? I feel youve got some intriguing points, but Im just not sold. In the event you actually desire to get the crowd behind you, youve got to entertain us, man. Maybe you could add a video or two to drag the message home.

You sure do know what youre talking about. Man, this weblog is just wonderful! I cant wait to read much more of what youve got to say. Im actually happy that I came across this when I did because I was genuinely starting to obtain bored with the whole blogging scene. Youve turned me around, man!

What I dont comprehend is how youre not even much more well-liked than you might be now. Youre just so intelligent. You know so a lot about this subject, made me feel about it from so many different angles. Its like people arent interested unless it has some thing to do with Lady Gaga! Your stuffs great. Maintain it up!

Thank you for another essential article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a complete way of writing? I have a presentation incoming week, and I am on the lookout for such information.

Wow, what a weblog! I mean, you just have so considerably guts to go ahead and tell it like it is. Youre what blogging wants, an open minded superhero who isnt afraid to tell it like it can be. This is definitely some thing individuals must be up on. Excellent luck within the future, man.

Just a question. Do you feel you could add just a little far more within the way of content here? I think youve got some fascinating points, but Im just not sold. In case you genuinely desire to get the crowd behind you, youve got to entertain us, man. Possibly you could add a video or two to drag the message home.

Post a comment