Senator Wyden: Extension of Internet Tax Freedom Act is in Funding Bill

December 11, 2014

In a recent Politico article, Senator Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, announced that the current government spending bill did include an extension of the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Expiring on December 11th, ITFA would make permanent the law that prevents state and local governments from imposing new taxes on Internet access and prohibits any multiple or discriminatory taxes on e-commerce.

Wyden said in a statement that the bill includes a one-year extension of the hugely popular Internet Tax Freedom Act. “By extending this bill, the Congress has, for the short term, ensured that this longstanding policy keeps Internet access tax-free," he said, pledging "to continue fighting to ensure that these protections will bolster the digital economy for the long term.”

Although Senate leadership made efforts to attach the controversial Marketplace Fairness Act to the Internet Tax Freedom Act, Speaker Boehner publicly announced he would not move the Internet sales tax bill this Congress. Current drafts of the government spending bill do not include the Marketplace Fairness Act. The House is expected to vote on the measure this evening.