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Internet TaxationWelcome to the Centers campaign to keep the Internet free from new and discriminatory taxes. This section provides you with an in-depth analysis of the debate over Internet taxation, complete with a detailed background of the issue, and the Centers activities. We also provide you with the ability to communicate with your elected officials in Washington.
INDEX:
Recent Developments Center's Activities Background
From our Side Legislation in the 108th Congress
In Their Own Words Contact Congress
Recent Developments INDEX
CFIF Urges Senate to Pass a Clean and Permanent Extension of the Internet Tax Moratorium
In an open letter to the United States Senate, the Center for Individual Freedom this week joined other national organizations in urging swift consideration of S. 156, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act...[more]
U.S. House Temporarily Extends Internet Tax Moratorium, Misses Opportunity to Make it Permanent
The U.S. House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly passed a four-year extension to the moratorium that prevents states and localities from taxing Internet access...[more]
CFIF Joins Coalition in Urging Extension of Internet Tax Moratorium
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...[more]
By Senator George Allen: The growth of the Internet over the past 10 years has provided greater opportunity for everyone from the largest multinational corporation to the smallest mom-and-pop start-up business. By giving more people access to knowledge and information, the personal computer and the Internet have empowered tens of millions of Americans as consumers and entrepreneurs, and as citizens in our free society...[more]
By Senator George Allen: The Senate will soon vote on The Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act (S. 150), my bill that permanently prohibits taxes on a consumer's ability to access the Internet. This law should and must pass to advance Internet access and digital opportunity for all people in the United States...[more]
House Moves to Make Internet Tax Moratorium Permanent
Legislation to make permanent the Internet tax moratorium originally passed by Congress in 1998 cleared its first hurdle in the U.S. House of Representatives last week. The House Judiciary Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee approved by voice vote H.R. 49, the Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act, sponsored by Representative Chris Cox (R-CA). The current moratorium is set to expire in November [more]
Keep Internet Tax Issues Separate
By U.S. Senator George Allen: (Reprinted with permission from Roll Call) In the Fall of 2001, the Senate extended by two years a moratorium on Internet-access taxes monthly fees imposed in addition to your Internet service provider bill. At the same time, we extended a moratorium on taxes that discriminate against the Internet as a form of commerce. However, what should have been an uncontroversial moratorium was temporarily held hostage because some wanted to chainlink it to much more controversial and complex issues regarding how to collect and remit taxes on purchases made on the Internet. To download the complete story, click here.
Legislation Introduced to Extend Internet Tax Moratorium, PERMANENTLY!
On January 7, the first day of the 108th Congress, Representative Christopher Cox (R-CA) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced companion legislation (The Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act) that, if passed, will make permanent the Internet tax moratorium...[more]
States Vote to Streamline Collection of Internet Sales Taxes
A coalition of lawmakers and tax collectors from more than 30 states gathered together in Chicago on November 12 to approve the final draft of an interstate agreement to "simplify" their tax laws and make it easier for budget-strapped legislators to collect sales and use taxes on Internet purchases...[more]
States Clamoring to Tax E-Commerce (Again!)
As state budgets dwindle, due in part to the nations lingering economic slump, Governors around the country are once again chomping at the bit to fill state coffers with tax money collected from e-commerce. However, they argue its a difficult task; one they hope Congress might make a little easier -- and more popular -- for them...[more]
"Simplification" Is Not the Easy Answer
The Internet tax moratorium is set to expire in October, and the debate over its extension is being clouded by a coalition of states that fear an eroded tax base, as more consumers shop online. Some of these states are in the process of enacting model legislation that includes a "simplified and streamlined" sales tax system with the hopes of getting congressional approval to force remote merchants to collect and remit sales taxes on purchases made by their citizens...But the "simplifications" ...are anything but simple... [more]
In a world without borders, the Internet facilitates an explosion of online retail opportunities, as more commerce is moving onto the Internet. Despite the borderless nature of the Internet, hundreds of laws concerning the Internet and e-commerce have been passed over the last few years. This patchwork of state, national and international laws and regulations threaten continued growth of e-commerce. Many of these statutes on their face discriminate against out-of-state commerce and place a burdensome "chilling effect" on interstate and international e-commerce. The problems facing e-commerce suggest the extreme need for a cautious approach to state and national regulation of commercial Internet activity. [more] [BACK TO TOP]
CFIF Urges Congress to Make Internet Tax Moratorium Permanent
In a letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) this week joined more than two dozen state and national free-market organizations in urging Congress to make permanent the current moratorium on Internet taxes...[more]
Center Supports Permanent Internet Tax Moratorium
With the Internet Tax Moratorium set to expire on November 1, the Center for Individual Freedom today applauded the Senate Commerce Committee for holding a hearing on two pieces of legislation S. 52, sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), and S. 150, sponsored by Senator George Allen (R-VA) that would make permanent the ban on multiple and discriminatory e-commerce taxes and Internet access taxes...[more]
Center Expresses Strong Support for Making Permanent Internet Tax Moratorium
In a letter to Senator George Allen (R-VA), the Center expressed strong support for his legislation to make permanent the moratorium on multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce and taxes on Internet access. Furthermore, the Center applauds his efforts to repeal current taxes on Internet access in those states that were grandfathered when Congress originally passed the Internet Tax Freedom Act in 1998.
To read the Center's letter, click here.
Internet Tax Freedom Act In 1998, Congress passed the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which prohibits Internet access taxes, multiple taxation of a single transaction by more than on taxing jurisdiction, and discriminatory taxes that do not apply to offline purchases. To view a copy of the law, click here.
Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerces Report to Congress
The Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce, authorized by the Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998, was created to study federal, state, local and international taxation and tariffs on transactions using the Internet and Internet access. To read the commissions findings and recommendations to Congress, click here. Quill Corp. v. North Dakota In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota that states, without permission from Congress, cannot require out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales taxes unless the retailer has a substantial physical presence or "nexus" in the state. To read the decision, click here. [BACK TO TOP]
House of Representatives | ||
H.R. 49 | | Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act Sponsored by Representative Christopher Cox (R-CA), H.R. 49 would make permanent the Internet tax moratorium originally passed by Congress in 1998. |
H.R. 1481 | | Internet Growth and Freedom Act of 2003 Sponsored by Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), H.R. 1481 extends for an additional five years the Internet Tax Freedom Act originally passed by Congress in 1998. |
Senate |
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S. 52 | | Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act Sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), S. 52 would make permanent the Internet tax moratorium originally passed by Congress in 1998.
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S. 150 | | Internet Tax Non-discrimination Act of 2003 Sponsored by Senator George Allen (R-VA), S.150 would make permanent the Internet tax moratorium and repeal current taxes on Internet access in those states that were grandfathered when Congress originally passed the Internet Tax Freedom Act in 1998.
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"The debate over the taxation of the Internet isnt about feeding the already well-lined coffers of government. Its about the fundamentally American idea that there should be no taxation without representation.
"While there is no evidence that Main Street firms have lost business due to tax differentials, that is beside the point. The answer to these concerns should not be to raise taxes on the Internet, but to lower taxes on Main Street businesses."
Colorado Governor Bill Owens
In a letter to Congress urging the extension of the Internet tax moratorium, and opposing his fellow governors plea for Congressional approval to force collection of sales and use taxes from remote businesses.
August 20, 2001
New York Governor George Pataki
Inside Politics
August 17, 2001
Virginia Governor James Gilmore
Testimony before the House Subcommittee
on Commercial and Administrative Law
July 26, 2001
Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift
Opposing Taxation of Internet Commerce
Testimony before U.S. Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science and Transportation
March 14, 2001
U.S. Rep. Christopher Cox (R-California)
Testimony before the House Subcommittee
on Commercial and Administrative Law
July 26, 2001
U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia)
On the introduction of H.R. 2526,
Internet Tax Fairness Act
July, 17, 2001
U.S. Senator George Allen (R-Virginia)
On the introduction of S. 777,
Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act
April 26, 2001
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Editorial
August 3, 2001
Write your elected officials TODAY!
Tell them to say NO to new Internet taxes.