States Get Screwed. Artists Get Really Screwed. Taxes Involved.

So here's a quick wrap up: You are a recording artist. You have a link on your web site to purchase your record on Amazon.com. To thank you for this, Amazon pays you a small "Referral Fee" of sorts, usually 50 cents or so.

BUT. According to new tax law, if both you and Amazon are located in the same state (NY), Amazon is required to pay taxes on that fee. Which means, you guessed it, Amazon will probably just stop paying that fee to artists.

Good? Bad? Ugly? Yes, yes, and yes.

Ruth Meberg Stine