Williams-Sonoma Appeals Ruling Shifting California Sales Tax Flow

Williams-Sonoma Inc. and the California city of Shafter are asking the state tax tribunal to reconsider a decision that most of the $47 million in local sales tax revenue the city has received since 2009 tied to the retailer’s call center there should go to other jurisdictions.

The company and the city are jointly asking the Office of Tax Appeals to reconsider its ruling because they have an agreement to share the revenue. If the ruling stands, in addition to requiring Shafter and Williams-Sonoma to repay millions of dollars, it could deflate arguments from San Bruno and Walmart.com ...