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NewEgg.com Might Be Doing Civil Disobedience And I Support Them!
I believe firmly that taxes are theft. I am also a geek/hacker/activist. So when two of my favorite things (namely computers and non-co-operational civil disobedience) are blended together, I make sure I'm shouting the news from the rooftops.
NewEgg.com, one of (if not) the most popular computer equipment websites on the planet may be engaging in non-cooperative tax civil disobedience.
A controversial law that passed in thebelly of the beast Empire State, dubbed the Amazon Tax, requires sellers with "affiliates" in New York to collect sales tax on items shipped into the state. This means an end to the largely untaxed internet shopping, at least for New Yorkers. The ugly problem with this is that greedy government people take ideas from the books of other greedy government people and this kind of thing spreads.
Of course, NewEgg might actually not be engaged in civil disobedience. It's possible they're remitting the taxes to the people making threats and calling themselves "State of New York" and simply eating this as a cost of doing business. I'm not exactly sure what my take is on that, frankly. To some, it might seems as if NewEgg is actually discounting the purchase price of items to New Yorkers (which would suck). On the other hand, the mere appearance of tax resistance might stimulate and encourage other businesses to resist taxes.
My word of caution to NewEgg and anyone that might be "eating the costs" of the New York tax - if you pay them the money other states will begin levying similar taxes. While it's one state, you can eat the costs, but are you willing to do that if 20 states adopt this kind of tax? Would you answer the same if it 40?
If you object to the tax because it eats your profits, stand and resist it! If you object to the tax because you think it's theft, stand and resist it! If you object to the tax because it adds complexity for your customers, stand and resist it! Stand and resist it, and I promise you, you'll not stand alone!
If you're happy that NewEgg has decided to take this stance, please use their contact form and tell them you support them. I've already sent the following message:
I would seriously like to thank NewEgg.com and all of the staff behind the idea to refuse to collect New York sales tax. Frankly, I would say "This will bring my business to you" but I am already a loyal customer when making corporate and personal purchases. I am an voluntaryist and free marketeer. I consider taxes of ALL kinds to be theft and I firmly support non-compliance as a means to affect societal change. You guys are all awesome, and I will continue to recommend you to friends!
NewEgg.com, one of (if not) the most popular computer equipment websites on the planet may be engaging in non-cooperative tax civil disobedience.
A controversial law that passed in the
Of course, NewEgg might actually not be engaged in civil disobedience. It's possible they're remitting the taxes to the people making threats and calling themselves "State of New York" and simply eating this as a cost of doing business. I'm not exactly sure what my take is on that, frankly. To some, it might seems as if NewEgg is actually discounting the purchase price of items to New Yorkers (which would suck). On the other hand, the mere appearance of tax resistance might stimulate and encourage other businesses to resist taxes.
My word of caution to NewEgg and anyone that might be "eating the costs" of the New York tax - if you pay them the money other states will begin levying similar taxes. While it's one state, you can eat the costs, but are you willing to do that if 20 states adopt this kind of tax? Would you answer the same if it 40?
If you object to the tax because it eats your profits, stand and resist it! If you object to the tax because you think it's theft, stand and resist it! If you object to the tax because it adds complexity for your customers, stand and resist it! Stand and resist it, and I promise you, you'll not stand alone!
If you're happy that NewEgg has decided to take this stance, please use their contact form and tell them you support them. I've already sent the following message:
I would seriously like to thank NewEgg.com and all of the staff behind the idea to refuse to collect New York sales tax. Frankly, I would say "This will bring my business to you" but I am already a loyal customer when making corporate and personal purchases. I am an voluntaryist and free marketeer. I consider taxes of ALL kinds to be theft and I firmly support non-compliance as a means to affect societal change. You guys are all awesome, and I will continue to recommend you to friends!
-Kevin Dean
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