Smith Votes to Keep Internet Access Tax Free

Press Release

Smith Votes to Keep Internet Access Tax Free

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today voted to pass a four year moratorium on taxes leveled against Internet access, while calling on Congress to make the tax ban permanent

"Keeping Internet access free from discriminatory taxes has been good for the American economy, and for America itself. Nothing stifles creativity, innovation, and the spread of knowledge like government interference, especially taxes. Now, we should focus our efforts on permanently protecting the public's tax-free access to the Internet," Smith said.

Congress enacted the Internet Tax Freedom Act in 1998, and has temporarily extended the moratorium twice - once in 2001 and once more in 2003. The current moratorium will expire on November 1 of this year. Smith is also a cosponsor of H.R. 743, legislation which would make the moratorium permanent.

America has 213 million Internet users. According to the National Retail Federation, total online sales this year are expected to reach $259.1 billion - up from $143.2 billion in 2005.

Repeated attempts to make the access tax permanent or extend it beyond four years were defeated at the committee level.

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