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Back to Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, L.A.?

Amazon, Traditional Business and the California Ballot

The US Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that online retailers don't have to collect sales tax unless they have a physical presence in the state.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    The US Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that online retailers don't have to collect sales tax unless they have a physical presence in the state. Amazon is headquartered in Washington State, but Governor Brown has just signed a new law requiring it to pay taxes in California, on the grounds that Amazon's so-called "affiliates" give it a "presence" here. Amazon is trying to qualify a referendum for next year asking voters to turn that around.

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      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

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      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

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      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

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      George Runner

      California State Board of Equalization

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      Jerome Horton

      California State Board of Equalization

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      Hut Landon

      Northern California Independent Booksellers Association

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