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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Nov 1st. could bring 20% INTERNET taxes (US)
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 10/01/2007 08:25:23 AM · #1
For nearly a decade, the lines carrying the Internet into homes and businesses have been a virtual tax-free zone. But that could change Nov. 1, when a federal ban on Internet access taxes expires.

See article here
 10/01/2007 08:42:59 AM · #2
Boy, that thread name sure overstates the case. There's no reference to a 20% Internet tax anywhere in the article. ALL taxes currently can reach 20% of the actual fees on the bill, not just Internet.

In fact, the only number cited for an Internet tax is $2 on a $40 bill, or 5%.

Thanks for sharing the article, though. I initially thought this was yet another one of the email hoaxes about Internet taxes.

Message edited by author 2007-10-01 08:43:41.
 10/01/2007 01:59:28 PM · #3
Originally posted by levyj413:
Boy, that thread name sure overstates the case. There's no reference to a 20% Internet tax anywhere in the article. ALL taxes currently can reach 20% of the actual fees on the bill, not just Internet.

In fact, the only number cited for an Internet tax is $2 on a $40 bill, or 5%.

Thanks for sharing the article, though. I initially thought this was yet another one of the email hoaxes about Internet taxes.


The thread title does NOT overstate the case. The one sentence your referring to is state tax only. Once the Internet tax ban is lifted (if it happens) it will not only subject your Internet access to state taxes but federal and FCC taxes as well. The paragraph above the line you quoted is an example, “"If Americans want to know what their Internet access bill will look like if this moratorium expires, all they need to do is look at their phone bill," said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who wants to permanently extend the moratorium. "Taxes and government fees add as much as 20 percent to Americans' telephone and cell-phone bills. We can't let that happen to the Internet, which is likely the most popular invention since the light bulb."

As a former sales representative for a cable company that sold cable, phone, and Internet I am very familiar with how taxes are placed onto services by the local, state, federal, and FCC. Just take a look at your phone bill and/or cellular bill and you will see how your Internet will be taxed. And lets not forget the library tax that was brought up in 1998-99 by the federal government. They wanted to tax Internet users to help fund internet service for public libraries. As you can see, once the ban is lifted every area of the government and agencies will try to get their part of the TAX pie.

Message edited by author 2007-10-01 14:02:25.
 10/01/2007 02:41:44 PM · #4
They tax me on everything else, why not the internet too? Either they start charging me internet tax or they raise my tax somewhere else. One way or another they will get my money and the only thing I can do is compain.
 10/01/2007 02:48:40 PM · #5
Originally posted by LoudDog:
One way or another they will get my money and the only thing I can do is compain.


Or move to another country.
 10/01/2007 03:06:13 PM · #6
Originally posted by NstiG8tr:
Originally posted by LoudDog:
One way or another they will get my money and the only thing I can do is compain.


Or move to another country.

Or acknowledge the services you get from public agencies. No one person will ever be 100% satisfied with how the gov't spends money. But you get plenty out of it whether you get a direct subsidy or not.
 10/01/2007 03:15:09 PM · #7
Originally posted by swhiddon:
For nearly a decade, the lines carrying the Internet into homes and businesses have been a virtual tax-free zone. But that could change Nov. 1, when a federal ban on Internet access taxes expires.

See article here


Sounds like a SNOPES visit is in order!!!

//www.snopes.com/inboxer/pending/internet.asp

It's true, but not that big a deal.

Message edited by author 2007-10-01 15:16:47.
 10/01/2007 04:42:49 PM · #8
Originally posted by levyj413:


In fact, the only number cited for an Internet tax is $2 on a $40 bill, or 5%.



While I think this one has been over worked, I also believe it won't be renewed this time. My broadband internet provider just hiked their rates 2 bucks for the first increase in 3 to 4 years. I suspect they know the state taxes on the service are coming and didn't want to grab their increase at the same time the state grabbed theirs. Last guy with his hand in your wallet is the bad guy.
 10/01/2007 05:32:08 PM · #9
Originally posted by levyj413:
Originally posted by NstiG8tr:
Originally posted by LoudDog:
One way or another they will get my money and the only thing I can do is compain.


Or move to another country.

Or acknowledge the services you get from public agencies. No one person will ever be 100% satisfied with how the gov't spends money. But you get plenty out of it whether you get a direct subsidy or not.


I won't argue with that, but I pay plenty and use little so I think I have the right to at least complain about it.

Message edited by author 2007-10-01 17:32:33.
 10/01/2007 07:07:26 PM · #10
Originally posted by LoudDog:
I pay plenty and use little so I think I have the right to at least complain about it.


Really? Ever had your house blown up by a foreign country? Do you move around at will on publicly owned roads? Ever eaten or drunk something that moved over publicly-subsidized railways or publicly-owned roads? Were you ever in a public school, or ever benefited from someone who attended one (e.g., a doctor, lawyer, or someone else)?

Is your water or air cleaner than it was 20 years ago? Do you absorb harmful substances like lead or mercury as much as you would have 20 years ago? Is your food supply basically safe?

Ever used the public library?

For that matter, ever used the Internet, which started with tax money?

Of course, you can still complain; I just want to make the point that it's important to recognize the benefits of tax money that aren't as directly visible as "a firefighter saved my family."

Message edited by author 2007-10-01 20:13:04.
 10/01/2007 10:28:06 PM · #11
Originally posted by levyj413:
Originally posted by LoudDog:
I pay plenty and use little so I think I have the right to at least complain about it.


Really? Ever had your house blown up by a foreign country? Do you move around at will on publicly owned roads? Ever eaten or drunk something that moved over publicly-subsidized railways or publicly-owned roads? Were you ever in a public school, or ever benefited from someone who attended one (e.g., a doctor, lawyer, or someone else)?

Is your water or air cleaner than it was 20 years ago? Do you absorb harmful substances like lead or mercury as much as you would have 20 years ago? Is your food supply basically safe?

Ever used the public library?

For that matter, ever used the Internet, which started with tax money?

Of course, you can still complain; I just want to make the point that it's important to recognize the benefits of tax money that aren't as directly visible as "a firefighter saved my family."


Damn! You must work for the government.
10/01/2007 11:04:26 PM · #12
Originally posted by levyj413:
Originally posted by LoudDog:
I pay plenty and use little so I think I have the right to at least complain about it.


Really? Ever had your house blown up by a foreign country? Do you move around at will on publicly owned roads? Ever eaten or drunk something that moved over publicly-subsidized railways or publicly-owned roads? Were you ever in a public school, or ever benefited from someone who attended one (e.g., a doctor, lawyer, or someone else)?

Is your water or air cleaner than it was 20 years ago? Do you absorb harmful substances like lead or mercury as much as you would have 20 years ago? Is your food supply basically safe?

Ever used the public library?

For that matter, ever used the Internet, which started with tax money?

Of course, you can still complain; I just want to make the point that it's important to recognize the benefits of tax money that aren't as directly visible as "a firefighter saved my family."


I know what my tax dollars pay for. But thanks for the lesson anyway.

Married, no kids, dual income. I pay more taxes then almost anyone else. Pretty sad that I'd be better off tax wise if I got divorced, huh? I know all about taxes and I'm going to keep complaining.
 10/01/2007 11:41:50 PM · #13
Originally posted by LoudDog:
Originally posted by levyj413:
Originally posted by LoudDog:
I pay plenty and use little so I think I have the right to at least complain about it.


Really? Ever had your house blown up by a foreign country? Do you move around at will on publicly owned roads? Ever eaten or drunk something that moved over publicly-subsidized railways or publicly-owned roads? Were you ever in a public school, or ever benefited from someone who attended one (e.g., a doctor, lawyer, or someone else)?

Is your water or air cleaner than it was 20 years ago? Do you absorb harmful substances like lead or mercury as much as you would have 20 years ago? Is your food supply basically safe?

Ever used the public library?

For that matter, ever used the Internet, which started with tax money?

Of course, you can still complain; I just want to make the point that it's important to recognize the benefits of tax money that aren't as directly visible as "a firefighter saved my family."


I know what my tax dollars pay for. But thanks for the lesson anyway.

Married, no kids, dual income. I pay more taxes then almost anyone else. Pretty sad that I'd be better off tax wise if I got divorced, huh? I know all about taxes and I'm going to keep complaining.


As am I. I don't see the pot holes in my neighborhood being filled. I don't see the cities water pipes being repaired until they break. I don't see the traffic problems being resolved.

I do know that I'm paying for a pension plan that some officials had a special interest in. There are plans for an awesome library some 25 miles from my neighborhood that they would like me to pay for. The silly crap goes on and on...
 10/02/2007 01:40:42 AM · #14
Originally posted by fir3bird:
Originally posted by levyj413:
Originally posted by LoudDog:
I pay plenty and use little so I think I have the right to at least complain about it.


Really? Ever had your house blown up by a foreign country? Do you move around at will on publicly owned roads? Ever eaten or drunk something that moved over publicly-subsidized railways or publicly-owned roads? Were you ever in a public school, or ever benefited from someone who attended one (e.g., a doctor, lawyer, or someone else)?

Is your water or air cleaner than it was 20 years ago? Do you absorb harmful substances like lead or mercury as much as you would have 20 years ago? Is your food supply basically safe?

Ever used the public library?

For that matter, ever used the Internet, which started with tax money?

Of course, you can still complain; I just want to make the point that it's important to recognize the benefits of tax money that aren't as directly visible as "a firefighter saved my family."


Damn! You must work for the government.


Prolly the IRS. He does live in D.C. or close enough.
I vote we sell the country to Canada.

Message edited by author 2007-10-02 01:42:03.
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