Bradley Partner Bruce Ely Quoted in BBJ on How Amazon Deal Could Resolve Alabama Budget Issues

State and Local Tax (SALT) attorney Bruce Ely was quoted in the Birmingham Business Journal on Amazon’s decision to start collecting sales tax from Alabama-based purchases, and the boost it could give to the state’s budget. Amazon joined more than 50 other retailers that have opted in to the Simplified Use Tax Remittance Program, with a portion of the collected funds funneled into Alabama’s General Fund.

“The number are going to be so large when you put these 50 companies into a pot, it’s going to resolve any budget issue,” Ely said. “I think it could partly resolve Medicaid this year. The problem is you’re going to have to meet in special sessions to pass an appropriations bills to move money anywhere. The legislature is going to have to meet this fall.”

The complete article, “Experts: Amazon deal will boost Ala. budget,” appeared in the Birmingham Business Journal on July 15, 2016.