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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