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Senate extends Internet tax moratorium by 7 years

Slimy   on 26 October 2007 - 16:49 · 9 comments & 6608 views

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With the ban on taxing Internet connections set to expire at the end of October, the Senate has passed a bill that would extend the 1998 Internet Tax Freedom Act yet again, this time for seven years. The moratorium was originally enacted in 1998 and has since been extended twice, in 2001 and 2004. Under the law, local governments are prohibited from levying access taxes on Internet connections (purchases can be subject to applicable state taxes). The nine states that managed to enact Internet access taxes prior to the moratorium's enactment in 1998 are exempt from the ban, and would continue to be under the just-passed legislation.

A version of the legislation passed by the House earlier this week would only extend it for another four years. With the House and Senate having passed slightly different versions of the legislation, the bill will now go to a joint committee to hammer out the differences. Once negotiators agree on a length for the extension and a revised version is passed, it is expected to be signed into law by President Bush.

News source: Ars Technica

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 9 additional comments
#1 vetneufuse on 26 Oct 2007 - 16:59
Good!
(1 reply) #2 +Troll on 26 Oct 2007 - 17:32
Hey look - Congress accomplished something useful this year finally (at least it looks to be that way)...and its only October
#2.1 toadeater on 27 Oct 2007 - 00:56
Quote - (Troll said @ #2)
Hey look - Congress accomplished something useful this year finally (at least it looks to be that way)...and its only October


Let's see what they do about Net Neutrality. That is still under threat from the telecom monopolies, and Congress has yet to pass anything to protect it.
#3 Steffan on 26 Oct 2007 - 17:33
Why not just ban it for life instead of keep extending it?
#4 webeagle12 on 26 Oct 2007 - 18:43
thank you o lord
#5 2xSilverKnight on 26 Oct 2007 - 18:49
revised version ... well don't talk to fast.
#6 ThePitt on 26 Oct 2007 - 20:24
Quote -
the 1998 Internet Tax Freedom Act

Another present comming from Bill Clinton. Democratic the guy, no?. Remember that
(1 reply) #7 +Shadrack on 26 Oct 2007 - 22:57
I might be for an Internet connection tax if it actually lead to a faster and more stable Internet. Sadly, it would probably just perpetuate more bureaucracy.
#7.1 +Octol on 27 Oct 2007 - 05:00
Quote - (Shadrack said @ #7)
I might be for an Internet connection tax if it actually lead to a faster and more stable Internet.

In the phrase Internet connection tax, the one concept [Internet connection] has nothing to do with the other [tax].

An Internet connection tax would be nothing more than just another way for government to suck more money out of people for absolutely no benefit to them in return.

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