Deal to delay tax collection by Amazon.com clears Legislature

◼ A last-minute deal to avoid a referendum on a new online tax collection law has won approval in the state Legislature. - Sacramento Bee

The bill gives retailers like Amazon.com a one-year reprieve on collecting the taxes while they lobby for a federal collection measure.

The legislation, introduced via amendment on the final day of the legislative session, was the result of a deal hammered out between legislative leaders, Amazon and brick-and-mortar stores. Assembly Bill 155 puts the law on hold until at least Sept. 15, 2012 -- the delay could be extended until 2013 if Congress enacts a federal online sales collection law by next summer. In exchange for the delay, Amazon has agreed to drop its effort to ask voters to overturn the tax law, which was approved as part of this year's state budget package.