S Carolina shoppers latest to pay taxes on Amazon sales

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A sales-tax break the Legislature gave Amazon in 2011 expires Jan. 1, making South Carolina the last state to collect among those where officials cut similar deals with the online retail giant.

Max Behlke with the National Conference of State Legislatures says the change could add tens of millions of dollars to South Carolina’s coffers in 2016.

For years, the Seattle-based company fought collecting sales taxes from its customers. Behlke says South Carolina was among 10 states that gave Amazon a temporary tax reprieve in exchange for jobs and investment.

Amazon currently collects sales taxes in 26 states.

For the expiring deal, the company promised to create at least 2,000 full-time jobs and invest $125 million by Dec. 31, 2013. It opened distribution centers in Lexington and Spartanburg counties.