Internet Sales Tax Fairness – Rhode Island

Following New York’s lead, in 2009, Rhode Island enacted new provisions that require e-commerce retailers to collect and remit state sales taxes even if they have no physical operation in the state.

The new measure specifies that if an online merchant generates more than $5,000 in sales through in-state sales affiliates, the merchant must be registered and collect sales tax on all of its taxable sales in Rhode Island. The law will affect an estimated 100 retailers in Rhode Island.  

More information:

• American Booksellers Association's Sales Tax Initiative

• New York's "Amazon Law": An Important Tool for Collecting Taxes Owed on Internet Purchases 
  by Michael Mazerov, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, July 23, 2009

Section 8 of Article 16, H-5983 Sub A (enacted July 1, 2009)

44-18-15. “Retailer” defined. — (a) “Retailer” includes:

(1) Every person engaged in the business of making sales at retail, including sales at auction of tangible personal property owned by the person or others.

(2) Every person making sales of tangible personal property through an independent contractor or other representative, if the retailer enters into an agreement with a resident of this state, under which the resident, for a commission or other consideration, directly or indirectly refers potential customers, whether by a link on an Internet website or otherwise, to the retailer, provided the cumulative gross receipts from sales by the retailer to customers in the state who are referred to the retailer by all residents with this type of an agreement with the retailer, is in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) during the preceding four (4) quarterly periods ending on the  last day of March, June, September and December. Such retailer shall be presumed to be soliciting business through such independent contractor or other representative, which presumption may be rebutted by proof that the resident with whom the retailer has an agreement did not engage in any solicitation in the state on behalf of the retailer that would satisfy the nexus requirement of the United States Constitution during such four (4) quarterly periods.