Consumer Law Group announces the filing of a Canadian class action against Amazon for the collection of undue sales tax
OTTAWA and MONTREAL, March 27, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The law firm Consumer Law Group announces the filing of a proposed Canadian class action lawsuit against Amazon on behalf of consumers who purchased certain goods from the online retailer and who were charged sales tax (GST, HST, PST, QST and/or RST) on items where no such sales tax was due under Canadian and/or provincial legislation.
In general, goods that are classified as Zero-Rated Supplies (0% tax), non-taxable, and/or tax-exempt from sales tax include such items as basic groceries, certain baby supplies, etc.
The class action alleges that Amazon has been arbitrarily and inconsistently: (i) charging and collecting sales tax on Zero-Rated Supplies and (ii) misrepresenting that sales tax is due under federal and/or provincial legislation, when it is not.
It is further alleged that the presence of the undue sales tax is exceptionally inconspicuous, in that in order for a customer to realize the overcharge they would need to: (a) closely inspect their invoice, (b) be an expert in sales tax law, and (c) use complex calculations.
Mr. Orenstein, one of the attorneys at Consumer Law Group, has stated: "People should be entitled to trust that when a merchant, especially one as large as Amazon, charges them sales tax on a purchase, that such amounts are actually due under the applicable tax legislation. It is the responsibility of sellers to familiarize themselves with the tax laws of the country and of the provinces in which they choose to operate."
The class action seeks damages in the amount of the undue sales tax, interest on the money that was collected unlawfully, and punitive damages.
Anyone who believes that they may have paid undue sales tax to Amazon, should join this class action and tell their story by completing the form that may be found at the law firm's website: https://www.clg.org/Class-Action/List-of-Class-Actions/Amazon-Undue-Sales-Tax-Collection-GST/HST/PST/QST/RST-Canadian-Class-Action.
SOURCE Consumer Law Group Inc.
Jeff Orenstein, 1-888-909-7863, [email protected], http://www.clg.org
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