CompTIA Says Extend Internet Tax Moratorium, Not Halloween Parade of Horribles

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2007

WASHINGTON -- The following statement may be attributed to Roger Cochetti, Group Director of U.S. Public Policy for the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA):

"November 1st rapidly approaches, presenting tax-hungry state and local legislators a sort of extended Halloween opportunity. On that day, should Congress fail to act, the Internet Tax Moratorium - which bans most Internet access and unfair e-commerce taxes - will expire. And with it, rest assured, many states and localities across America will expeditiously seek to shackle the Internet to a taxation house of horrors.

"Congress should keep the tax Dracula in its crypt, pounding a stake through his revenue-thirsty heart.

"Unequivocally, the Internet Tax Moratorium has grown the Internet. It has promoted the flowering of new services, diminished the digital divide, improved worker productivity and competitiveness, and has helped consumers reap enormous gains. While we recognize that a permanent extension of the Moratorium may not be in the offing, the flipside remains clearly unacceptable - new Internet taxes where once there were virtually none.

"Congress still has time to ensure most Americans don't witness this parade of horribles. But they must act, and quickly. Today's important work in the House has begun burying the notion that states and localities can easily fill the void with Internet levies. That said, we urge both the House and Senate to come together and pass a bill that bans frightening Internet taxes - it should extend the Moratorium, not the Halloween parade."

About CompTIA

In 2007, CompTIA is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Just as the information technology (IT) industry it serves has grown, CompTIA has also enjoyed remarkable growth over the past 25 years. The organization was founded by representatives of five micro-computer dealerships working together to find better ways to do business. Today, CompTIA has more than 22,000 member companies in over 100 countries around the world; and serves as the voice of the world's $1 trillion-plus IT industry. CompTIA is committed to advancing the long-term success and growth of the IT industry by helping organizations maximize the benefits they receive from their investments in technology; and by helping individuals to obtain the skills and credentials they need for productive careers in IT. For more information, please visit: www.comptia.org.