House and Senate Pass Separate Internet Tax Moratorium Extensions
After the U.S. House of Representatives passed a proposed four-year moratorium
on Internet taxes earlier in October, the Senate passed legislation that would
extend
a moratorium on Internet access taxes for seven years.
The proposed moratorium would extend the existing ban on Internet-only taxes,
which is set to expire on Nov. 1. The different bills must be reconciled in
conference, and signed by President Bush in order to become law.
While we've long taken for granted the lack of a tax on our ISP bills, that
would change pretty quickly if the moratorium were discontinued. Federal, state
and local governments would be allowed to add taxes, such as access and bit
traffic taxes, on information as it travels through a jurisdiction.
I have two ISPs (broadband and a dial-up that includes my hosting service),
so any taxes would weigh double on me. How do you feel about taxing Internet
access and traffic like we do the telephone? Tell me your thoughts at [email protected].
Posted by Peter Varhol on October 30, 2007