Advocacy

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that states can legally collect tax from remote retailers deemed to have “economic nexus.”

A new E-Fairness Timeline available on ABA’s Advocacy page shows the many ups and downs throughout the long fight to sales tax fairness in which independent booksellers played a leading role.

The toolkit offers independent business owners and retailers tips for engaging with their city officials and advocating for policies that strengthen and grow local businesses.

The Banned Books Week Coalition is offering new tools and resources to help booksellers prepare for this year’s celebration of the freedom to read, to be held September 23–29. 

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a South Dakota law qualifying remote retailers that have $100,000 or more in sales or 200-plus transactions in the state as having a physical presence.

In a major victory for sales tax fairness, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Dakota in a case that will redefine the legal obligation of online retailers regarding sales tax collection, South Dakota v. Wayfair, Overstock, and Newegg. 

The U.S. Department of Labor has released the final rule that will expand access to association health plans (AHPs). AHPs would allow small businesses to band together through a trade association to purchase health insurance across state lines.

The recent study Home Sweet Home: Locals vs. Amazon demonstrates the significant economic benefit that supporting independent businesses has on local communities.

Seattle’s city council has voted 7-2 to repeal a measure aimed at collecting tax from the city’s largest businesses, including Amazon and Starbucks, in order to raise funds for housing services.