Advocacy

Tennessee has become the latest state to negotiate an agreement with Amazon.com that would postpone the date by which the online retailer must collect state sales tax.

According to a study released this week, New Jersey lost $171 million in non-collected sales and use tax on business-to-consumer Internet purchases of goods and services from out-of-state vendors in 2009.

Since the enactment of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the U.S. Small Business Administration has been lending at record levels. Booksellers can learn about SBA’s loan programs and more at the upcoming regional trade shows.

On Friday, September 23, Gov. Jerry Brown signed an amended sales tax fairness bill that was the result of a last-minute deal California lawmakers made with Amazon.com.

With the start of Banned Books Week on Saturday, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression’s auction of original children’s book art will enter its final week on eBay.

On Tuesday, Michigan state representatives Eileen Kowall (R) and Jim Ananich (D) joined with bricks-and-mortar retailers, including Matt Norcross of McLean & Eakin Booksellers, at a press event to introduce the Michigan Main Street Fairness Act.

A new study released this week estimates that over the next five years, the failure of remote, online retailers to collect sales tax will cost the state of Tennessee more than 10,000 jobs and about $3 billion in revenue.

ABA is urging members to contact their senators and governor in support of the Main Street Fairness Act, which was introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin in late July. A template letter that can be adapted and sent is available.

Readers across the U.S. and around the world are demonstrating their support for free speech by participating in a virtual read-out of banned and challenged books that culminates in the 30th annual celebration of Banned Books Week, from September 24 – October 1.

Late Friday, September 9, California legislators voted overwhelmingly to approve an amended sales tax fairness bill that would provide Amazon.com with a one-year sales tax exemption while increasing the minimum small business exemption to $1 million from $500,000 in annual sales.