Amazon Fights to Keep Sales Tax Advantage in Tennessee

I

t's no surprise that brick-and-mortar retailers continue to complain about the advantage that Internet vendors have: Not needing to collect sales tax in states where they aren't physically present.

However, for Amazon that advantage is even greater, as it has managed to beat the sales tax in states where it does have facilities. Now it plans to build two more in Tennessee and is working to secure agreement from the state so that it won't have to collect sales tax from Tennessee customers.

The company plans two new distribution centers near Chattanooga, at a cost of $139 million, that promise to provide 1,400 full-time and 2,000 seasonal jobs.