Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

10th Circuit Upholds Tax Reporting Law

By Stephanie Forshee
April 01, 2016

Because of a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 1992, online retailers don't charge sales tax in states where they don't have a physical presence. It's a situation that traditional retailers have bemoaned for years. To their dismay, the U.S. Congress hasn't done a thing about it.

Traditional retailers did notch something of a victory earlier this year, however. An appeals court upheld a Colorado law that requires online retailers to assist the state in collecting a so-called “use tax” directly from consumers ' a maneuver that, at least in theory, would end tax-free online sales in the state and level the playing field between in-state and online retailers. The ruling could spur additional judicial and legislative action in the long-simmering sales tax debate.

In a 45-page ruling, Direct Marketing Associuation (DMA) v. Brohl, No. 12-1175 (10th Cir. Feb. 22, 2106), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld a statute that requires online retailers with no physical presence in Colorado to file an annual report notifying Colorado tax authorities of the purchases made by state residents. The Direct Marketing Association, a trade group that represents marketers, had argued that the law violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. But the court rejected DMA's arguments.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?

Legal Possession: What Does It Mean? Image

Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.