And now you’re done: Amazon’s $269 million tax bill

The state of Texas is persuing online retailer Amazon for $269 (€192.61) million in unpaid taxes according to Publishers Weekly.

Tax officials in Texas believe that the presence of an Amazon distribution centre in the site provides the company with the presence in their jurisdiction and makes them subject to Texan tax laws. The bill covers the four years from 2005 to 2009 and includes penalties and interest.

This is not the first time that Amazon has been at the centre of a tax debate. The online retailer has been required to collect sales tax by the State of New York by the state’s citizens since 2008.

Amazon is contesting the charge saying that they “believe that the State of Texas did not provide a sufficient basis for its assessment and that the assessment is without merit.”