FFF.NET loses main source of income to support site.

POSTED BY: Haken
UPDATED: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 20:10
VIEWED: 48385
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KBACHELDER

Monday, June 29, 2009 7:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Haken:

I'll try and get caught up as soon as I can and post an update.

I'll be finalizing the news segment for the next Signal podcast in the next 24 hours and we'd be glad to mention what's going on if you want to send me an update on where things stand.

Be glad to heighten awareness of this...just need more details.

My email address is listed on the Signal's crew page...

http://crew.serenityfirefly.com

Take care,

Kevin

-----

Fan of Science Fiction?
If so, then you might enjoy listening to these award winning podcasts...

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Dragon*Pod (Dragon*Con)
http://www.dragon-pod.com

WHIMSICALNBRAINPAN

Monday, June 29, 2009 7:35 PM

Haken I really appreciate all you do for us.

Just let us know what needs to be done and you know we'll do it.

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle."
http://whimsicalnbrainpan.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/whimsicalnbrainpan
http://www.cafepress.com/whimsicalbrain

SAMEERTIA

Monday, June 29, 2009 11:17 PM

Okay... read up. Did a little research.

Haken, add me to the number of people in California who will gladly help set up a mainland entity to keep the Amazon money coming in.

There have been a number of great ideas posted here, and as a certain Bard once sang, Browncoats carry greenbacks. And you know we'll do whatever we have to in order to keep FireflyFans.Net up and running.

(I also think a note to the Governor of HI about this from all of us wouldn't go amiss...) Not pissed off notes! Anger will get us no where... but reasonable, well-written notes mentioning the previous Supreme Court ruling, and whatnot. That kind of thing may not go amiss.

HAKEN

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 7:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SameErtia:
Okay... read up. Did a little research.

Haken, add me to the number of people in California who will gladly help set up a mainland entity to keep the Amazon money coming in.

Shiny offered to do the same. Not quite sure how I can go about doing that without getting into tax trouble and also affecting those who help me with the same tax issues.

I've been paying an income tax on all my earnings since I signed up with Amazon when the site first started.

I basically get a 1099 from Amazon and I pay taxes to both the State and the Federal government on all earnings. The cost of hosting and any other expenditures I have for my sites are also itemized when I file my return.

The Feds and the State both get their share and everything is fine. So, really, this whole sales tax thing just caught me off guard. It feels almost like the State changed the rules all of a sudden and I can't come out ahead even if I follow the rules.

As far as I know at this point, the State and Amazon are both playing a game of chicken. I'm pretty sure the State isn't going to budge. It has bigger problems to deal with than Amazon (like the across the board furloughing of all State employees effective July 1st). Lawsuits are flying around all over the place.

If you want to read about how screwed up we are, we're pretty close to California.

http://tinyurl.com/mg8de5

Regardless, it seems like July 1 is the day that I'm supposed to be cut off. We'll see if Amazon really goes through with it. Will keep you all posted.

HAKEN

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 7:58 AM

Looks like Rhode Island just got hit too.

Quote:

Amazon Drops More Affiliates to Avoid Tax

By GEOFFREY A. FOWLER

Amazon.com Inc. ended its business relationships with marketing affiliates in Rhode Island so the online retailer could avoid collecting sales tax in the state.

Rhode Island’s state legislature recently passed a bill that would force companies to collect sales taxes if they have online-marketing affiliates—businesses that get a sales commission by featuring links to outside e-commerce sites on their own Web sites—in the state.

The Rhode Island termination follows a similar move by Amazon last Friday to end its relationships with affiliates in North Carolina as the state approached passing a similar law. Cash-strapped states across the country have looked at similar legislation to boost revenue. Such a law went into effect in New York last year.

Amazon, based in Seattle, sent an email to its Rhode Island affiliates on Monday saying that it was closing their accounts immediately. “This is a direct result of the unconstitutional tax collection scheme passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly with a veto-proof majority,” said the message.

Amazon spokeswoman Patty Smith said the company took the action now because the Rhode Island bill had passed with veto-proof majorities. “The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment—either the governor’s signature or an override of his veto,” she said.

Amy Kempe, press secretary for Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri said that the governor was still deciding whether or not to sign the budget bill passed by the legislature, and would do so by Wednesday. The state faces a $590 million deficit for the fiscal year starting in July.

Rebecca Madigan, founder of the affiliate trade group Performance Marketing Alliance, estimates there are some 2,000 online affiliates in Rhode Island, who pay about $3 million in state income tax. “We’re seeing small businesses being hit. They are the collateral damage through all of this legislation, which inaccurately classifies affiliate marketers as sales agents” rather than advertising channels, she said.

RIVERDANCER

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:05 AM

Eep!

Well, we can object the law, and maybe it'll make a difference. That would be the best option, of course.

We could hunt around for, um, other major sites that will pay for advertising without any trouble? Any ideas?

Er... Haken could transfer the site somehow? Or move? Probably not that. Though I bet a drive for relocation funds would be pretty successful. A drive for 'keep the site afloat' funds will too, I'm sure, but that one would be more ongoing. I'll do what I can either way, along with my daily clicking of any paying ads.

...Fire bad, tree pretty?

HAKEN

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:54 AM

We have a chance. From the Performance Marketing Alliance.

Quote:
Update! Governor Lingle has until 7/15 to sign HB 1405. She is announcing on June 30th if she will veto the legislation or not.

FILLYGIRL

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:08 AM

GOOD MOJO! GOOD MOJO! GOOD MOJO! being sent in triplicat!

Everybody knows, we could get around it, taxing the internet just isn't gonna fly. As soon as they do, people will stop buying.

Chaplain of the 76th Independant Battalion

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

BRIGLAD

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 4:11 PM

Sent $10 the other day via paypal. Being only employed part time, it's all I could spare at the moment.

B

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 3:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fillygirl:
GOOD MOJO! GOOD MOJO! GOOD MOJO! being sent in triplicat!

Everybody knows, we could get around it, taxing the internet just isn't gonna fly. As soon as they do, people will stop buying.

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

Clearly you do not understand the thinking of King Geor.....err, I mean Democrats. You exist to be taxed.

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