Amazon is ending its affiliate program in Louisiana after legislators passed a law allowing the state to tax businesses without a physical presence there — the latest stand-off in the company’s long-running, state-by-state battle over Internet sales taxes.
In an email overnight, the company informed members of its Amazon Associates program that, “due to recent enactment of tax legislation, residents of Louisiana will no longer be eligible to participate in the Program.”
Louisiana joins Arkansas, Maine, Missouri, Rhode Island, and Vermont on the list of states where the Associates program doesn’t operate, according to the Associates Program Operating Agreement.
Amazon Associates receive affiliate fees — a small portion of the sales price — in exchange for directing customers to specific products and offers on the e-commerce giant’s site.
The development in Louisiana is the latest step in a long-running debate over state taxes on goods sold online. Brick-and-mortar retailers say that Amazon and other online retailers have an unfair advantage if they aren’t required to pay state sales taxes. Amazon has previously supported national sales tax legislation to establish a common practice across the country.
We’ve contacted Amazon seeking comment on the decision. Amazon doesn’t have any employees or physical operations in Louisiana, according to the company’s site.
