Ban Internet taxes-Truth!

The U.S. Congress is Considering Extending a Ban On Internet Taxes-Truth!

Summary of eRumor: The story says that a current American ban on certain Internet taxes is due to expire in October, 2001. You are urged to write members of congress to encourage them to extend it.

The Truth: The "Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998" is due to expire on October 21. Congress is considering legislation that would extend the act, which bans certain Internet taxes. According to the office California Representative Christopher Cox, who is the author of some of the legislation, the ban deals with several issues: Among other things, it prevents states from taxing Internet access. It also preserves the current status of sales taxes on the Internet. Most of us have to pay sales taxes on Internet purchases only if we're buying from a company within our state. The extension of the ban would ensure that there would not be an expansion of sales taxes on all purchases from all states, for example. This should not be confused with an email hoax that said congress was going to tax emails. CLICK HERE for that story. updated 07/17/12

A real example of the story as it has been circulated:
Americans for Tax Reform 1920 L. Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20036 202-785-0266 www.atr.org On October 21, 2001, the law banning Internet access taxes will lapse- unless Congress acts. This ban, called the Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998, has kept state and local governments from taxing the Internet. But unless Congress acts again, schools, libraries, hospitals and families across America will be faced with a new tax bill October 21st. (And unlike the bogus e-mail last year about a bill to tax e-mail, which caused thousands of people to write to their Senators and Representatives, this time the tax threat is absolutely, positively for real.) Don't let Congress tax the Internet! Representative Chris Cox (R-Calif) and Senator George Allen (R-Va) have introduced legislation to permanently ban Internet taxes. E-mail, write and call your representatives and senators and demand that the ban on Internet taxes be made PERMANENT! Ask that they support Mr. Cox and Mr. Allen. And please forward this to all your friends and let them know: Unless Congress acts, there will be an Internet tax. To e-mail your congressman, visit: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ To call: 202-224-3131 To write your representative: The Honorable Rep. ________ United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 To write your senator: The Honorable Sen. ________ United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Please forward this message to anyone you think may be interested. Thank you for your help in keeping the Internet tax-free!