Downtown business organizations ask city council to reconsider 'Amazon Tax'

The Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) and other groups representing downtown business interests are asking the City Council to reconsider the Jumpstart tax on big businesses. The letter to city officials comes as Bloomberg reported that Amazon is considering moving some employees out of their South Lake Union campus after internal survey gauged employee interest in moving to other Puget Sound cities. The ecommerce company has declined to comment on the survey. The Jumpstart tax, also referred to as the "Amazon tax" by some, was approved by the city council in July and will apply to businesses with annual payrolls of $7 million or higher with employees who make $150,000 or more annually. The tax is expected to raise more than $200 million a year for city services and affordable housing.