Cyber Monday benefitted area cities for the first time as Amazon began paying sales tax in the state of Texas.
Exactly how much impact the online retailer had is difficult to determine because the state doesn't release sales tax payments for individual companies, said R.J. DeSilva, spokesman for the Texas Comptroller.The sales tax goes to the cities where the packages are delivered, not necessarily where the purchase is made, DeSilva said.Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving when online stores offer special deals as an extension of Black Friday.Colleyville, Grapevine and Southlake broke records for November, according to the latest sales tax returns on the Texas Comptroller website.Grapevine saw the biggest increase, 23 percent, in November, 2012, compared to the same month the previous year. The city collected $3.26 million, more than $600,000 over last year.Southlake sales tax jumped 5.9 percent in November compared to the same month in 2011. The city collected $1.25 million, a $70,587 increase.Colleyville collected $298,554 in sales tax, a $13,961 increase, or 4.9 percent.In July, Amazon started paying sales tax in the state to settle a lawsuit with Texas comptroller Susan Combs. It's meant to level the playing field for traditional brick and mortar retailers that were at a disadvantage because consumers could buy from Amazon without paying sales tax. As part of the agreement, Amazon also agreed to invest $200 million and create 2,500 jobs. In December, Amazon signed a 15-year-lease for a 68-acre property on Westport Parkway in Haslet. Another potential site is in Coppell.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
