The Senate is poised to pass a bill to require all but the smallest online sellers
to collect the tax. The House appears likely to follow suit. Although Amazon’s
desire to avoid the tax played a fundamental role in its founding and growth,
it is a supporter of the legislation.
As it builds new warehouses and extends its already considerable reach, Amazon is relying less on price than speedy delivery, free shipping and a selection that encompasses just about everything. Small retailers say Amazon was always a significant opponent, and is now a fearsome one.
“It’s beyond frustrating that Congress waited until Amazon became so
dominant that having a massive tax advantage is no longer essential to its
strategy,” said Stacy Mitchell, a senior researcher with the Institute for
Local Self-Reliance. “The right time to fix this was a decade ago, when it
could have saved many local businesses."
As it builds new warehouses and extends its already considerable reach, Amazon is relying less on price than speedy delivery, free shipping and a selection that encompasses just about everything. Small retailers say Amazon was always a significant opponent, and is now a fearsome one.
