House Bans Internet Access Tax
Dateline: 05/16/00
By a voice vote, the U.S. House of Representatives today approved H.R. 1291, the Internet Access Charge Prohibition Act of 1999. The bill blocks the Federal Communications Commission from attempting to set and impose fees for accessing the Internet and should end forever the infamous myth of bill 602P and Congressman Tony Schnell.
"Notwithstanding subsection (b)(4) or (d) or any other provision of this section, the Commission shall not impose on any interactive computer service (as such term is defined in section 230(e)) or other information service provider any access charge for the support of universal service that is based on a measure of the time that telecommunications services are used in the provision of such interactive computer service or information service." -- From H.R. 1291 - Internet Access Charge Prohibition Act of 1999
The bill comes partially in response to a bogus email message circulated for at least a year warning Internet users of a fictitious bill "602P" by a fictitious Congressman named Tony Schnell creating a monthly surcharge on Internet access.
Speaking in debate on the H.R. 1291 -- the real bill -- Michigan Democrat John Dingell stated, "I only hope that the passage of H.R. 1291 will finally extinguish this cybermyth once and for all."
Me too, Congressman Dingell. Me too.
Reference Links
Protecting the Internet from Taxation
Material in support of preventing taxation of Internet access or commerce from Rep. Chris Cox (R-CA).
House Extends Internet Tax Freeze
Last week, the House passed a bill to extend the current 3-year moratorium on all other forms of Internet taxes for another five years. From your About.com Guide.
Who stands where, and why on Internet taxation. Where to the states stand? How could consumers be affected? From your About.com Guide.
President Clinton and the U.S. Governors held a face-to-face chat about the Internet yesterday in Washington. The topic of the day was whether states should collect taxes on Internet sales. From your About.com Guide.
President Clinton's Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Proposal to Congress includes a multi-billion dollar spending plan designed to extend Internet access to poor Americans and minorities. From your About.com Guide.
Where the presidential candidates stand on Internet tax and taxes in general. Compiled by U.S. Politics Guide John Aravosis.
$36 million in online holiday gift orders supports 'tax-free' argument. From Libertarianism Guide Alexis Nepomuceno.
Links on Internet/E-commerce Taxation, from Tax Planning U.S. Guide Shellie L. Moore.
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