Just when you thought California was getting there act together… Earlier this spring, California seemingly decided to at least delay enacting their version of an advertising tax.  The hearing on AB 178 never happened and was not scheduled to be heard again until January 2010.  It seemed like victory for affiliate marketers, at least a temporary one.  Numerous affiliates and merchants rallied to the cause and established a grassroots campaign to fight AB 178.  No doubt, the fight was not over by any means, but things were looking somewhat good.

Now, it seems California is back on track to join New York as a state that…well hates affiliates.  All 25,000+ of them!

Amazon and other programs have already sent emails out stating that if the bill passes, they will terminate all California affiliates (they recently did the same for North Carolina affiliates as well).

This is not just a California issue.  This is an affiliate issue.  No matter what state you are in, this is a YOU issue.  This is your livelihood at state.  History shows us that when a handful of states enact legislation such as this, that most of the other states will follow.  If you don’t think your state is at risk, you are probably mistaken.  Even Tennessee, which is one of the last states I would have thought would even try to do this, recently attempted to pass an advertising tax into law.  Thankfully it has failed so far.

So what action can you take?  Here are some steps that you can take…but you must take them now!

1. Educate Yourself - Read the fact sheet here and read the actual bill here

2. Visit the ABestWeb California Tax Forum to follow the conversation and connect with other affiliates on the issue.

3. Contact Your State Representatives - In California or elsewhere.  Here is a list of the CA Reps to contact.

4. Talk about it with your friends

5. Twitter about it, blog about it, use other social networks to spread the word

6. If you have friends or family in the media, contact them about it and see if they can help

7. Join AffiliateVoice

Whatever you do, remember that you are representing not only yourself, but other affiliates.  Keep it civil and businesslike, but be passionate about it.

Lastly, feel free to ask me or anyone else about it.  We are indeed all in this together.