Senator Steve Daines finalized a ban on state and local governments from taxing Internet access on Thursday.
A press release from Daines’s office says the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act would “permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted.”
“The Internet is a critical avenue for Montana businesses to compete in the global marketplace and serves as a gateway for economic opportunity,” Daines said. “This permanent ban on taxing the Internet protects small businesses and hardworking families from senseless new costs and ensures that the Internet will remain an strong engine of innovation and growth.”
Daines was joined by Montana State Director National Federal of Independent Businesses Riley Johnson, President Montana Telecommunications Association Geoff Feiss and President and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce Webb Brown.
“Montana consumers and businesses face enough economic challenges – unnecessary and over-burdensome taxes on Internet access shouldn’t be added to the list. We applaud Senator Daines’ efforts to make permanent the Internet access tax moratorium,” Brown said.