Amazon opposes tax plan for online purchases

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Amazon.com is fighting Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to require out-of-state online companies to collect New York state sales tax on goods they send to addresses in New York — the most recent cash-strapped state to propose the tax.

Spitzer estimates in his budget that the state would gain $47 million by requiring Internet giants such as Amazon.com to collect state sales tax. If that portion of the budget is passed, retailers will start being required to collect the taxes.

New Yorkers are currently on an honor system to report their online spending when they file their state tax returns.

“This would be a radical departure from anything that’s being done anywhere in the country,” said Paul Misener, Amazon’s vice president of global public policy.