Audible adds Sales Tax to Washington State Subscriptions

If you subscribe to Audible.com, you can anticipate a slight increase in your subscription price starting November 1, 2010. As a part of Amazon, Audible has a physical business presence in the state of Washington, making it required to collect sales tax from Washington residents. As a resident of Washington, I like this approach better than the slippery slope that is I-1098, which introduces the first income tax to the state. If I don’t like the tax on my Audible subscription, I could always cancel it.

Here’s what they have to say in their official statement:

Have you ever listened to Gone With the Wind?
Narrator Linda Stephens does a perfect Scarlett O’Hara in Chapter 38 when she sniffs, “Death, taxes, and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them.”
Audible, Inc. collects tax where it is legally obligated to do so. Accordingly, in connection with recent legislation in Washington State, Audible will collect sales tax for all purchases/subscription fees where the customer’s billing address is located in Washington State. The collection requirements will apply to all credit/debit card charges made on or after November 1, 2010, even if the order/subscription was placed before November 1, 2010.
We hope you’ll agree that Washington State sales tax is a small price to pay for a great listening experience. As always, we are dedicated to and passionate about providing you with a world of great ideas and entertainment. Thank you for being an AudibleListener.
The Audible Team

I wonder if this means Zappos won’t be far behind.