The US Senate has voted for the prohibition of Internet taxes for seven more years. A week after the bill passed by the House of Representatives allowed for a 4 year extension, this latest round of voting tacks on another three years. Included in this version of the tax ban are the prohibition of taxing home page email and instant messaging, including voice- and video-capable email and IM services.
While this may pacify some that are pushing for a permanent ban on Internet taxes, this version does not protect against potential taxing of other web services or services. That means things like video programs could one day be taxed. As technology continues to improve, the government is keeping a semi-close watch on its growth, knowing it could be prime for reaping additional streams of revenue at some point in the future.
[via CNet]
Visit here to subscribe to these commentsUser comment: By: CountRobI can just imagine them trying to tax P2P and Torrents. That will be the day... The problem is we have a generation that knows nothing about the internet(s), and they are making the laws. Once we get some Gen X people in there, that will be the end of even minor internet regulations. They should have just made this tax ban permanent. Because it's so easy just to move the server to another country.
R|mail.