Amazon Begins Collecting Sales Tax in Massachusetts and Connecticut Today

Has anyone in Massachusetts or Connecticut bought something on Amazon today? If so, did you throw your computer out the window and vow to never shop there again when your grand total was 6.something% more than usual? Did you find yourself wanting to secede from the United States and join a technology-first, opt-in, government-free island?

For those who haven’t heard, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but as of this morning, Amazon sales in these states are now subject to sales tax — a victory for brick-and-mortar stores, the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and anyone who panics when their accountant asks them how much they spent on online purchases since last April (this may not be related to sales tax but that question always freaks me out). Amazon already charges sales tax in a dozen other states. The change in Massachusetts is projected to earn the state an extra 37 million dollars this year. Think of how many libraries you could keep open with that kind of money!

I live in an Amazon-free household that is not in these places, so I personally will not be affected, but to those who are, I give you 6.25 and 6.35% of my sympathy, respectively.

Photo: TessOlivia

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