The SALTcast

Amazon has agreed to turn in sensitive seller data to the state of Massachusetts! Now what should FBA sellers do?

February 16, 2018 Andrew Johnson Season 1 Episode 1
The SALTcast
Amazon has agreed to turn in sensitive seller data to the state of Massachusetts! Now what should FBA sellers do?
Show Notes
Amazon has agreed to turn in sensitive seller data to the state of Massachusetts, and it has created a near panic. As in any panic, people tend to overreact. We have already seen a number of responses that will lead sellers down the wrong path.
  • Specifically, what FBA Seller information has Amazon agreed to turn over to Massachussetts? 00.38
  • Doesn't Amazon already collect tax everywhere? 01:08
  • Does Amazon collect tax on behalf of FBA Sellers in every state? If not, which state does it collect tax even for third party sellers? 01:23
  • Can a third-party seller direct Amazon to collect tax on their behalf? If so, how much does Amazon charge for that tax collection service? 02:25
  • Is Massachusetts the first state to successfully require Amazon to turn over FBA Seller information? 03:22
  • Is Massachusetts' main idea to get people to pay property tax on their inventory? 04:35
  • Is Amazon announcing that they're going to start collecting tax now in Massachusetts on behalf of FBA Sellers? 05:33
  • Is Peisner Johnson listed in the Amazon directory of global solutions providers? 06:59
  • Will Massachusetts share this information with other states? 07:40
  • Will other states follow Massachusetts' lead on this? 08:51
  • Will Massachusetts go back in time against FBA Sellers or just required them to start collecting tax going forward? 11:28
  • Can Massachusetts go all the way back to 2007 if the only activity you have in the state is as an FBA Seller? 13:58
  • When did Amazon open its first warehouse in Massachusetts? 14:14
  • How can Massachusetts do this under the law and get away with it? 17:31
  • Should FBA Sellers panic in Massachusetts? 18:32
  • If we're already registered in Massachusetts, what should we do? 18:53
  • Who is Massachusetts going to go after first? 20:49
  • Is Massachusetts an FBA Seller's biggest sales tax nightmare right now? 22:50
  • What state is auditing FBA Sellers the most aggressively right now? 23:13