House Pushes Through Internet Tax Ban Bill but Will Senate Agree?
Everyone loves the Internet and most people couldn’t live without it. There are a lot of great things about the Internet; with one of those things being that fact that there are no state and local taxes to use it. Over the years, they have been many arguments back and forth as to whether or not there should be taxes on Internet use, with most people siding against it, especially consumers.
In the latest effort to put a permanent stop to the talk of taxing the Internet, the U.S. House recently passed a bill that would put the possibility of Internet taxes to rest for good. That’s the good news. The bad news is the Senate is not expected to agree with the House and therefore the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (PITFA) is not expected to pass in the Senate and become law.
The original Internet Tax Freedom Act has been around since 1988 and it has already been renewed five times since its inception. However, the latest iteration is set to expire on October 1 of this year if it is not extended again. The burden could be huge for consumers, especially those from lower income households if it is not renewed. Even though most lawmakers from both parties are opposed to Internet taxes, the latest bill is not expected to pass because the Senate has tried combining the PITFA bill with other bills.
The Senate is concerned about the ability of states to charge sales tax between in-state and out-of-state retailers. As long as that continues to be an issue the PITFA will likely not pass by itself.
Investing with Style
Investing with Style How do you define your approach to investing? There may be many answers to that question. One answer goes to the style of investing that you choose: value or growth. Are you looking for value? The goal of a value investor is to seek out “bargains,” finding those companies whose stock may…
Introducing the “Total Return” Trust
Introducing the “Total Return” Trust The fundamental purpose of most trusts is to create a plan of financial protection for more than one beneficiary, often beneficiaries in different generations. “All the trust income to my surviving spouse, with the balance to be divided among our children at her death” might be used in a marital…
Making Tax-wise Investments
Making Tax-wise Investments Tax considerations are not, and should never be, the be-all and end-all of investment decisions. The choice of assets in which to invest, and the way in which you apportion your portfolio among them, almost certainly will prove to be far more important to your ultimate results than the tax rate that…
Reducing Risk With a Diversified Portfolio
Reducing Risk With a Diversified Portfolio Have you been worried about the stock market’s recent volatility? You’re not alone. The stock market in March was a roller-coaster ride that served as a reminder to investors that the market’s ups and downs can be a little dizzying. But a volatile market should not leave you feeling…