FC: Trade associations tell Congress "NO" on Internet taxes

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

******

> From: "Kevin Beirne" <kbeirne () erols com>
> To: "Declan McCullagh" <declan () well com>
> Subject: 11 Associations Sign Net Tax Letter to Congress
> Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 09:12:01 -0400
> X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300
>
>
>
> Declan,
> I just wanted to give you a head's up on the attached letter being 
> distributed to all Hill offices this morning.  the letter is signed by 
> presidents of 11 major trade associations and calls on Congress to act on 
> this session on Internet taxation.  the letter suggests a comprehensive 
> approach including building a framework for sales tax simplification, 
> extending the moratorium, clarifying existing rules regarding taxable 
> presence and more.
>
> Let me know if you would like any more info on it.
>
>
>
> American Electronics Association
> Consumer Electronics Association
> Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials Association
> Electronic Industries Alliance
> Government Electronics & Information Technology Association
> Information Technology Association of America
> National Association of Manufacturers
> Securities Industry Association
> Software Finance & Tax Executives Council
> Software & Information Industry Association
> Telecommunications Industry Association
>
> May 1, 2000
>
> The Honorable XXX
> United States Senate
> Washington, DC
>
> Dear XXX:
>
> We, the undersigned trade associations, are writing you following the 
> completion of the work by the federally appointed Advisory Commission on 
> Electronic Commerce (ACEC).  Congress created this panel under the mandate 
> of the Internet Tax Freedom Act in October 1998 and now the ACEC has 
> delivered its report to Congress.  We strongly urge Congress to address 
> the issues surrounding Internet taxation in as comprehensive a manner as 
> possible.  Congress has legislative authority over matters involving 
> interstate commerce and, therefore, has a very important role in this 
> policy debate that has traditionally been focused in the States.
>
> The thousands of businesses we represent are on the e-commerce front 
> lines, and they well understand that issues of taxation of electronic 
> commerce pose complex, difficult, and often inter-related questions for 
> the business community and state and local governments.  You will hear a 
> great deal in the coming months from various parties on these issues, and 
> we respectfully request that Congress address these important and complex 
> issues in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
>
> We commend the members of the 106th Congress who have already introduced 
> proposals to address component parts of the issues raised by the ACEC, and 
> we also ask Congress to consider legislation to address the entire 
> problem. We recognize that a comprehensive strategy may involve separate 
> pieces of legislation to address specific issues, and we urge Congress to 
> follow a comprehensive strategy that includes at least the following items:
>
> · Extend the moratorium of the Internet Tax Fairness Act and eliminate 
> taxes on Internet access.
> · Create an environment in which true simplification of interstate sales 
> and use taxation may occur.
> · Reduce costly litigation between taxpayers and governments by clarifying 
> existing rules regarding taxable presence.
> · Eliminate the Federal Telecommunications Excise Tax and create an 
> environment in which simplification of telecommunications taxes may occur.
>
> We stand ready to assist you in the crafting of this important legislation 
> and we thank you for your attention to our request.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> William T. Archey, President & CEO
> American Electronics Association
> Gary Shapiro, President
> Consumer Electronics Association
> Robert Willis, President
> Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials Association
> Dave McCurdy, President
> Electronic Industries Alliance
> Dan C. Heinemeier, President
> Government Electronics & Information Technology Association
> Harris N. Miller, President
> Information Technology Association of America
> Jerry J. Jasinowski, President
> National Association of Manufacturers
> Marc E. Lackritz, President
> Securities Industry Association
> Mark E. Nebergall, President
> Software Finance & Tax Executives Council
> Kenneth A. Wasch, President
> Software & Information Industry Association
> Matthew Flanigan, President Telecommunications Industry Association
>
> Kevin M. Beirne
> Account Coordinator
> The Russ Reid Company
> 202.371.9580
> cell 202.365.0504
> <mailto:kbeirne () erols com>kbeirne () erols com

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