Organization announces it will be difficult if not impossible to win the "Friend of Taxpayer" award without a vote for the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act

WASHINGTON - As the Nov. 1 deadline on the Internet tax moratorium approaches, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has turned up the heat on lawmakers considering a vote against the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act (S. 150). ATR has been fighting for the adoption of S. 150, which would make permanent the current temporary ban on taxing Internet access. The taxpayers' group feels the vote is particularly important given the gradual recovery of the technology sector.

"The time has come for Congress to permanently ban Internet taxes that are complicated, unfair, and an immense burden on the economy," said taxpayer advocate and ATR President Grover Norquist. "Both the Senate Commerce and Finance Committees have cleared the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act, and now the Senate must quickly schedule a vote on this necessary legislation. We are running out of time."

Supporters have worked tirelessly to address the concerns expressed by State and local groups surrounding their existing tax base for telecommunication services as well as property, income, and corporate taxes. The National Conference of State Legislators and the American Legislative Exchange Council have publicly stated "all providers of access should be treated similarly regardless of the medium that is used to provide Internet access."

Now, the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act is ready to go to the floor for a final vote, but some groups that want to tax the Internet have used these negotiations to stall passage of a permanent ban on Internet access taxes.

"This is not the time to be adding a new tax on Americans trying to keep in touch with loved ones. Therefore, ATR will 'double rate' any vote to shorten the moratorium, eliminate provisions that make the moratorium technologically neutral, or add the Streamlined Sales Tax Proposal to the bill as a vote against taxpayers," said Norquist.

"It will be difficult or impossible to get the annual 'Friend of the Taxpayer' award if they vote to significantly change or stop passage of a permanent ban on Internet access taxes," Norquist added.