Another online retailer pulls back

Sales tax worries spur Overstock.com to end commission program to N.C.-based sites. By Benjamin Niolet bniolet@newsobserver.com Online retailer Overstock.com has followed Amazon.com's decision to cut off a commission program to North Carolina-based Web sites. The move would allow the companies to avoid having to collect sales tax on sales to customers in the state. Under the commission programs, the online companies pay a percentage to Web sites that steer buyers to the online product. A proposal in the state legislature would use the commission arrangement to justify levying sales tax on Internet purchases. State law already requires North Carolinians to pay such a tax, but taxpayers have to report themselves. Few do. The tax proposal would treat online retailers as if they operated a brick-and-mortar store in the state.... [read full story]                    

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