The biggest opponent of allowing states to tax internet purchases was Amazon. They threatened to pull distribution center deals from states that oppose them, and poured money into state politics.
Once they had distribution centers in something like more than a third of the states, they began to have a competitive disadvantage against other internet retailers- those distribution centers meant that they had a physical Nexus in the state and Amazon purchases would be taxed under the current rules, but other internet retailers who only maintained one or two warehouses nationwide would still be largely exempt.
So they seamlessly pivoted into being one of the biggest advocates for an internet sales tax, to eliminate their competitors advantage. It was never about protecting their customers or doing what was right, it was about what generated the most profits for Amazon.
Big business gonna business.
The biggest opponent of allowing states to tax internet purchases was Amazon. They threatened to pull distribution center deals from states that oppose them, and poured money into state politics.
Once they had distribution centers in something like more than a third of the states, they began to have a competitive disadvantage against other internet retailers- those distribution centers meant that they had a physical Nexus in the state and Amazon purchases would be taxed under the current rules, but other internet retailers who only maintained one or two warehouses nationwide would still be largely exempt.
So they seamlessly pivoted into being one of the biggest advocates for an internet sales tax, to eliminate their competitors advantage. It was never about protecting their customers or doing what was right, it was about what generated the most profits for Amazon.