With the current Internet tax moratorium set to expire on November 1, 2007, the Center for Individual (CFIF) this week joined more than 35 national and state organizations, representing millions of taxpayers, in urging Congress to make permanent the Internet Tax Freedom Act.
The organizations' plea came in the form of a letter (.pdf) , delivered to every Member of Congress, which warned, "If the moratorium is allowed to lapse, American taxpayers could be exposed to countless new and onerous taxes from states and municipalities simply for accessing the Internet."
Congress first passed a temporary moratorium in 1998 to prevent money-hungry states and localities from taxing Internet access and imposing multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Since then, the moratorium has been extended several times, but only temporarily.
As the letter notes, "The Internet prospers today as a result of unshackled innovation and technology growth unfettered by government taxation and regulation. ... Taxing access and Internet activities would not only hinder the expansion of technology that fuels our modern economy, but it would also rebuild communication barriers among families, hamper businesses, and negatively impact our lives in countless ways."
With the moratorium set to expire in mere weeks, Congress should act quickly to make it permanent once and for all.