Over the last couple/few years, affiliate marketing has been faced with some of it’s most trying issues. First, the Affiliate Tax Laws that are plaguing the industry from HALF of the US, and second, the FTC guidelines.
The Affiliate Tax are being presented and debated everyday. The passing of this type of law in a state is close to a death sentence for most local affiliate marketing careers. Affiliates are now faced with some of the toughest decisions they have had to make. Do I close up shop? Go back to working for The Man? Do I uproot my family, my business, my life and move to another state just for it to possible happen again? Should I move internationally (which is a whole pile of difficult in itself)?
One man is making some major waves in fellow mid-western state, Illinois. Tim Storm, CEO of FatWallet.com has decided to move his company of over 50 employees to Wisconsin after Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Affiliate Nexus Tax into Law. You can hear more about this Thursday, directly from Tim himself, on PMA’s podcast.
Questions remain? Always!
Between an Affiliate Giant moving north, and major ecommerce merchants cutting ties with Illinois businesses, will it hit home with the state that this was a BAD move on their part? While I don’t know the answer to this, fingers crossed the answer is YES! A thousand times, YES!
Will more Giants in the industry take similar actions? Would you do the same, giant or not?
I can tell you, personally, and have discussed with with others in the industry, that we would uproot in a heart beat, and make sure that word was out about it. It can be an easy decision if you live close to a non-effected bordering state (we are 30 minutes from PA), but if push came to shove, we would go where ever we need to to protect our clients, our affiliates, our families, and our business, and I am curious how many would do the same.
States are putting their citizens out of business, and causing them to lose money in an already difficult to survive economy. Would your loyalty remain with the state if they were sinking your ship? It’s a decision that someone should NOT be forced to make, but is quickly becoming a necessity to prepare for.
What happens if Wisconsin get’s a wild hair to try to pull the same thing? Has Tim discussed this with the Wisconsin Governor? Hopefully that will be answered in the podcast tomorrow.
I commend Tim on his actions, and devotion. The statement is loud and clear, and hopefully ears are open and listening throughout the US. MadHatter admires your courage, and supports you 100%!
If you are still looking on how to help, make sure you are staying on top of PMA’s blog. And …Sing it LOUD, and Sing it PROUD: ‘You are not helping your state, community, or citizens, you are HURTING THEM!’
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