Washington, D.C. – In an effort to permanently extend a ban on state and local governments from taxing Internet access, today Alaskan Congressman Don Young and the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3086, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA). The bill, which permanently extends an Internet access tax moratorium set to expire in November, works to increase Internet growth and opportunity by preventing an additional tax burden on the American people. H.R. 3086 passed today by a voice vote.
“Since 1998, Congress has overwhelmingly supported efforts to ban taxes associated with Internet access, but until today have failed to make them permanent,” said Congressman Don Young. “Alaskans from across our state, particularly in rural areas, rely heavily on Internet access for the most basic needs, including communication, access to education and business development. Adding additional tax burdens, which would take most American consumers by surprise, would greatly reduce Internet access and disproportionately impact those already struggling to make ends meet. Today’s strong bipartisan measure is a great step to protecting our digital economy and encouraging pro-growth policies that get this country back on track.”
The Internet access tax was temporarily banned by Congress in 1998 and has been extended three times in the last 16 years. H.R. 3086 makes no effort to tackle the issue of Internet sales taxes and would only prevent Internet access taxes and multiple or discriminatory e-commerce taxes.
###
