-Caveat Lector- Congressman supports Internet tax By Bloomberg News Special to CNET News.com March 12, 1999, 2:40 p.m. PT WASHINGTON--U.S. states and local governments have a right to tax business conducted over the Internet, according to Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-Louisiana). Consumers don't pay sales tax on most goods and services they purchase online, similar to mail-order purchases, although they do on most over-the-counter purchases. A 19-member commission is debating the thorny issue of how to tax business on the Internet. Congress banned new taxes on Internet business for three years while policy makers work on the problem. "I don't think we can stop state and local governments from demanding their share of contributions in the form of taxes, comparable to what would be required of brick-and-mortar businesses in their jurisdiction," Tauzin said. Tauzin also said that Congress mustn't permit undue taxation that could stunt the growth of Internet business. "Our job is going to be to make sure there's no duplication of taxation," Tauzin said. Do you want to know more? Read related news View story in The Big Picture Go to Message Boards Search News.com Tauzin will play QUOTE SNAPSHOT March 12, 1999, 1:41 p.m. PT America Online Inc. AOL 96.1250 +0.3125 +0.33% Amazon.Com Inc. AMZN 133.3125 -1.5625 -1.16% by symbol by name > more from CNET Investor Quotes delayed 20+ minutes an important role in the upcoming congressional debate over Internet taxation, because he heads the influential House Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection. The debate won't occur until next year at the earliest, when the Internet tax commission will report to Congress. Thus, it's a little early to tell what direction lawmakers will take, said Bill Whyman, an Internet analyst with Legg Mason's Precursor Group. Still, Tauzin, as chairman of the House subcommittee, "is a central player in all of this," he said. State and local officials worry that they'll lose sales taxes as the Internet grows. The tax debate pits companies specializing in e-commerce, such as bookseller Amazon.com and catalog sales company J. Crew, against small local merchants and large department stores. The newly formed Internet tax commission already faces obstacles. The National Association of Counties filed a lawsuit this week to block the panel from meeting, saying that its makeup is illegal. By law, the panel is supposed to be composed of eight industry representatives, eight state and local officials, and three federal officials. State and local officials say there are too many industry representatives, among them America Online president Robert Pittman, and not enough from state and local government, such as Utah Governor Mike Leavitt. Copyright 1999, Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved ================================= Robert F. Tatman [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Remove "nospam" from the address to reply. NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml POSTING THIS MESSAGE TO THE INTERNET DOES NOT IMPLY PERMISSION TO SEND UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL E-MAIL (SPAM) TO THIS OR ANY OTHER INTERNET ADDRESS. RECEIPT OF SPAM WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF THE SENDER'S ISP. ____________________________________________________________________ More than just email--Get your FREE Netscape WebMail account today at http://home.netscape.com/netcenter/mail DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
