Since 1996, TSS has been an Amazon Associate. Our association with them has not been a profit center for TSS, but rather a way to offset the rising costs of delivering TSS to you.
In fact, our total revenue from Amazon was about 750.00 per year... way less than one quarter of what our server expense is annually. State and local government need to tighten thier
belts and eliminate wasteful spending. Instead, taxing the constituants is their solution. Rather than make the tough spending cuts, our leaders are looking for
new ways tax us all. I remember my Gradfather complaining about a 2% Federal Tax...I'll bet he would be super bent about the taxes that are imposed today. What will the Taxes be for our children
10-20 years from now? What about for their children? The way we are going it is going to be a 60% Federal Tax and a 15% State tax. This trend has to end...
Illinois has one of the highest income tax rates and sales tax rates in the country, yet our leaders are spending more and more money and have a deficit that is unbelieveable based on revenue. Where does all this money go? Get off you ass Pat Quinn and get to work making the tough spending cuts! We are all hurting right now and can not afford to have you waste OUR money and fund programs that are beyond the state's means.
-Tom Steele
Founder TSS
The follow is a letter received from Amazon on 03/10/2011.
From Amazon:
For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of Illinois residents. Unfortunately, a new state tax law signed by Governor Quinn compels us to terminate this program for Illinois-based
participants. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers - including but not limited to those referred by Illinois-based affiliates like you - even if those retailers
have no physical presence in the state.
We had opposed this new tax law because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It was supported by national retailing chains, most of which are based outside Illinois, that seek to harm the affiliate
advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that its enactment forces this action.
As a result of the new law, contracts with all Illinois affiliates of the Amazon Associates Program will be terminated and those Illinois residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to
Amazon.com, Endless.com, or SmallParts.com.
You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of Illinois. If you are not currently a permanent resident of Illinois, or if you are relocating to another state in the near
future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here. And if you relocate to another state after April 15, please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.
To be clear, this development will only impact our ability to continue the Associates Program in Illinois, and will not affect the ability of Illinois residents to purchase online at www.amazon.com from
Amazon's retail business.
We have enjoyed working with you and other Illinois-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our
Associates Program to Illinois residents.
Regards,
The Amazon Associates Team
