Taxation

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A new study shows that Amazon shoppers in states where they have to pay sales tax—specifically, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia—end up spending less overall on the site. The study concludes "that to a small degree, the tax legislation achieved its objective of restoring retail activity to local communities, though most of the gains in 'leveling the playing field' are garnered by the online operations of retailers." [Consumerist]