| The Honorable Bob GoodlatteUnited States House of Representatives2309 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 | The Honorable Anna EshooUnited States House of Representatives241 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 |
Dear Chairman Goodlatte and Representative Eshoo:
On behalf of the more than 362,000 members of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), I would like to extend our enthusiastic support for H.R. 3086, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA). This critically important bill would permanently ban taxes on Internet access. With the current moratorium scheduled to expire in November, the clock is ticking on freedom from discriminatory Internet taxation, and our members urge swift passage of H.R. 3086. While adoption of PITFA is critical, it is also essential for Congress to avoid attaching any extraneous provisions to this bill. For instance, inclusion of the so-called Marketplace Fairness Act, or Internet sales tax, would represent an unacceptable “poison pill” for taxpayers.
Since 1998, Congress has barred state and local governments from imposing new or discriminatory taxes on Internet access. This has helped to create a dynamic environment where the Internet is thriving and bringing advanced communication capabilities to millions. Keeping the burden of new government-mandated access charges off Internet service has made entry to the Information Superhighway more affordable for Americans from all walks of life. However, if Congress doesn't act soon, taxpayers may be bombarded with an onslaught of new predatory “fees” and taxes.
Any nation seeking to remain technologically and economically competitive should not punish the very citizens who are reaching out into the digital realm, especially by levying charges that are unlikely to have anything to do with bettering Internet service. Taxpayers need long-term protection from state and local authorities seeking to add taxes to the various routes consumers use to access the Internet, and this bill would provide such safeguards.
As your bill could represent one of the most important examples of tax protection legislation to come out of the 113th Congress, our members strongly urge all Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 3086 and work toward its enactment.
Sincerely,
Brandon ArnoldVice President of Government Affairs