Taxes on Amazon Purchases? Will You Keep Shopping?

This story was reported and written by Patch Associate Regional Editor Sherri Lonon.

One of the perks of shopping online is the fact that most purchases come without a sales tax attached.

While you’re technically supposed to mail taxes owed to the state, most people just don’t. After all, who’s going to tell, right?

All that could change for local residents if Internet retail giant Amazon.com makes a move to Ruskin, just north of the Manatee County line in Hillsborough. The company is looking at a site close to Port Manatee and has gotten a green light from Hillsborough County Commissioners for a tax incentive that might entice them to set up shop and bring jobs to the area.

If Amazon does come here, the law says the company would have to start collecting Florida sales taxes for all purchases made by Florida residents.

That means those “tax-free” purchases you might already be making via the Amazon site will disappear.

While that adds up to only a few pennies on the dollar for purchases, we’re wondering if the move could tarnish Amazon’s luster with local shoppers.

Will you keep making purchases through Amazon if the company starts collecting Florida sales taxes? Or will you go elsewhere to buy? Tell us by commenting below!