Amazon credited a Texas customer $5.58 on Friday after acknowledging it calculated sales tax on three purchases using a five-digit ZIP code instead of nine-digit location information. The customer, an employee of The Dallas Express, provided the notice and account screenshots.
In its email, Amazon said it was proactively crediting the account because some purchases were eligible for lower sales taxes. The company said it has updated its systems to use more precise location information. The notice did not say how many customers will receive refunds or the total amount Amazon plans to return.
The Texas comptroller says local tax boundaries do not follow ZIP codes, and it recommends checking local rates by street address. Amazon said customers do not need to take action to receive the credit. Texas consumers seeking refunds of sales tax paid in error should first ask the seller, the comptroller advises, and refund claims generally have a four-year deadline.