Did anyone actually read the article? It states that Alabama already requires a 4% tax on things bought from out of state or online, but that nobody actually reports this on their tax returns. The article is just pointing out that Alabama is starting to send out letters to those who didn't pay their taxes and asking for the money.
Also, I think it is a law everywhere in the US that if a business has any presence in the state that you live in that they are required to charge a sales tax.
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