(Washington, DC) – Congressman Ander Crenshaw today supported legislation to extend the current ban on state and local taxation of internet access for four years.  The Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act, HR 3678, passed the House today with a vote of 405-2.  Congressman Crenshaw is also a cosponsor of HR 743, which would make the internet tax ban permanent.

 

“The internet has revolutionized the way our nation does business, how our children learn, and has provided millions of American with access to information they would not otherwise have,” said Congressman Crenshaw.  “Taxing such an important tool brings it outside the grasps of thousands – meaning lost opportunities and hindering communications.  This four year extension of the internet tax ban is a start, but it is no substitute for a permanent ban on this taxation.”

 

This legislation bans state and local taxes on internet access through November 1, 2011, as included in the original 1998 Internet Freedom Act.  This bill also changes the definition of “internet access” to ensure that states can no longer tax the acquisition of the Internet.  It also prevents companies providing Internet access from avoiding taxes on other services such as televisions or telephones by bundling those services with Internet access.

 

The House Judiciary Committee rejected a Republican amendment to this legislation for a permanent ban by a vote of 15 to 21.