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Search Terms: internet W/10 sales W/10 tax, House or Senate or Joint

Document 54 of 142.

May 16, 2000, Tuesday

SECTION: PREPARED TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 267 words

HEADLINE: PREPARED TESTIMONY OF THE HONORABLE AMO HOUGHTON

BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT

SUBJECT - INTERNET TAX ISSUES

BODY:
Good afternoon. We are here today to discuss issues that get a lot of attention, but are not well understood- taxes related to Internet commerce. To many, the question is simply whether one supports or opposes taxes on Internet sales. The sales and use tax issues are not that simple. Further, there are many other issues that affect Internet commerce that do not receive the same attention, but are every bit as important.

Several of our witnesses today will testify as whether Congress should impose taxes on Internet sales and, if so, how to develop simple and fair ways to collect such taxes. Resolving this issue will take a great deal of cooperation among State and local governments, consumers, businesses, and Members of Congress. We will have to think "out of the box" and explore ideas that have been dismissed in the past or have not even been developed if we hope to resolve the issue.

Others will testify on issues such as repealing the three percent excise tax on phone services, extending a moratorium on taxes on Internet access, international tariffs on electronic commerce, and bridging the digital divide. These are issues that affect everyone in this room. They represent challenges that can be addressed and resolved relatively quickly. When we discuss taxes on Internet commerce, let's not overlook these important issues which will have a long-lasting effect on the public. Let's move quickly and decisively to fix them this summer if we can.

I look forward to a lively, but constructive, debate today. I am pleased to yield to our ranking Democrat, Mr. Coyne.

END

LOAD-DATE: May 18, 2000

Document 54 of 142.


Search Terms: internet W/10 sales W/10 tax, House or Senate or Joint
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