The sales tax break the Legislature gave Amazon in 2011 expired on New Year's Day, which makes South Carolina the last state to collect the tax among those states that cut similar deals with the online retailer, according to The Associated Press.Max Behlke, the National Conference of State Legislatures' manager of state and federal relations, said, "taxing Amazon's in-state sales could add tens of millions of dollars to South Carolina's coffers in 2016."The Seattle-based company has fought for years to remain exempt from collecting sales taxes from its customers.The AP said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled twice -- in 1967 and 1992 -- that a state can't require a company to collect and remit the tax unless it has a "physical presence" in the state.South Carolina was among 10 states that gave Amazon a temporary tax reprieve in exchange for jobs and investment.According to a 2014 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, South Carolina has been losing out on an estimated $254 million in taxes from out-of-state sales, mostly online.New Year's Day, South Carolina joined 26 states where Amazon collects the tax, according to the company's website.It's unclear how many Amazon workers are employed in South Carolina.The company reported to a state Commerce survey that it employs up to 1,500 people at two distribution centers.

The sales tax break the Legislature gave Amazon in 2011 expired on New Year's Day, which makes South Carolina the last state to collect the tax among those states that cut similar deals with the online retailer, according to The Associated Press.

Max Behlke, the National Conference of State Legislatures' manager of state and federal relations, said, "taxing Amazon's in-state sales could add tens of millions of dollars to South Carolina's coffers in 2016."


The Seattle-based company has fought for years to remain exempt from collecting sales taxes from its customers.

The AP said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled twice -- in 1967 and 1992 -- that a state can't require a company to collect and remit the tax unless it has a "physical presence" in the state.

South Carolina was among 10 states that gave Amazon a temporary tax reprieve in exchange for jobs and investment.

According to a 2014 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, South Carolina has been losing out on an estimated $254 million in taxes from out-of-state sales, mostly online.

New Year's Day, South Carolina joined 26 states where Amazon collects the tax, according to the company's website.

It's unclear how many Amazon workers are employed in South Carolina.

The company reported to a state Commerce survey that it employs up to 1,500 people at two distribution centers.