ACLU to argue for Amazon customers in N.C. tax case

RALEIGH, N.C. — The American Civil Liberties Union says it’s fighting for privacy and free speech rights in a lawsuit pitting North Carolina tax collectors against Amazon.com.

ACLU lawyers will be in federal court in Seattle on Wednesday. They’re making the case that the North Carolina Revenue Department’s effort to learn what customers bought from Amazon would violate their rights.

The hearing comes in a lawsuit filed by Amazon to stop the tax agency from collecting information about buyers.

The Revenue Department says it doesn’t want details about what kind of books people bought, just whether the purchases were books, CDs or something else.

The state says either Amazon or its customers owe North Carolina $50 million in sales and use taxes on Internet purchases dating to 2003.

Amazon has said it provided the state with details about purchases without identifying which customer bought what. The company maintains that if it is required to turn over names and addresses as well, the state would be able to determine the buying patterns of customers.

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If all NC is looking for is the tax; it DOES NOT MATTER what is purchased, just the amount of the purchase! Sounds like some agency is just getting very NOSEY!

rednek
October 14, 2010 8:39 a.m.

Even worse ex: your on your way home from myrtle beach, pay the tax on the gasoline you have remaining in your tank when you cross the state line.

ykm
October 14, 2010 8:10 a.m.

hereandnow99, it's not opposing statements, but I admit it sounds that way. Years ago, the software used to ask, "How much did you spend on out of state purchases?" I didn't know, so I would enter 0. Back in 2000, I spent less than $100 on mail-order stuff. Exactly how much, though? I have no idea. What should I put?

In more recent years, it would first ask if I made any purchases out of state, then ask, "How much?" So, I'd back up and say "no", because I don't know how much. The software would then enter $0.

It wasn't until this story came out that I learned that if I had proceeded further, there is a formula that would use income to produce an estimate.

Still, that estimate is wrong. Whatever I enter there is wrong. It's a flawed tax. From reading the law, if one buys a Coke in SC and drives across the line with it, one must pay the difference in tax between SC and NC. Who tracks that?

I'm not opposed to necessary taxes, but this tax is idiotic and a hassle for citizens.

paulej
October 13, 2010 7:48 p.m.

LOL... NC gets $1.08 from the federal goverment for every $1.00 it's citizens pay in federal tax.....LOL....sheep don't you get it...

NC as well as many other states in the US are what they call Welfare States.....

Fair Tax....go right ahead and wish for it all you want, it will never happen.....

Juncyard
October 13, 2010 7:18 p.m.

Plenty you continue to raise the fact that tax rates are low but never connect that point to anything other than go back to Clinton tax rates. What will that do? If the fed gov is spending close to 50% more than it takes in will the Clinton tax rates balance out spending?

ykm
October 13, 2010 6:28 p.m.