Internet Tax Ban Extended

GiorgioG sent in news that the ban on internet taxes will be extended for two years. Not that that will make the recession go away, but it's a start. Remember: every time you buy over the internet, an angel gets his wings.

Comments

May help stem further collapse

[KarmaBlackballed]

This is important. Many online retailers have been hurting since before the stock market collapse. The tax exemption helps offset the shipping costs associated with their business model.

Re:May help stem further collapse

[the_great_cornholio]

Good idea: we as taxpayers should subsidize companies with a shaky business model at the expense of those which have already seen some measure of success. That's our free market at work!

Re:May help stem further collapse

[the_great_cornholio]

I thought it was the lack of a costly 'brick-and-mortar' presence that was to offset the shipping costs associated with their business model. They would then change lower per item, both to compensate the consumer for her extra wait for the item and to offset the shipping costs. Of course, this presupposes these people have a business model that was anything more than let's take other people's money, spend it, and hope for the best.

Re:WTO, IMF, GATT, UN etc.

[EisPick]

What have you been smoking? It's the United NATIONs, not the United PEOPLE. It's a forum for nations to hammer out disagreements and provide aid to one another, not a world government. And there are a lot of us who are glad its not.

Are you sure you want to be taxed by an organization whose executive committee gives China a veto? I know I don't.

Re:O.T: What's this story about angels with wings?

[pipeb0mb]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=an+angel+gets +it%27s+wings+it%27s+a+wonderful+life

December 9th,1998
Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life"

What would the Christmas season be without the proverbial film about that holiday? You know the one I am referring to, where we all learn "every time a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings". Of course you know the one I am referring to.

It is called "It's a Wonderful Life", and over that past years has come to represent, on the whole, the meaning and spirit of the Christmas holidays. People coming together to help a friend, coming home for the holidays, and the comfort of having a warm and safe place to call home. Today's FamSite is one that celebrates the film, and the persona around it. Here you can find out little known details about it, as well as biographies of the cast and crew. You can check out links to other sites, as well as collectibles. There is even a contest, and you can catch up on reading the Bedford Falls Chronicles.

Enjoy this site. It is a fine tribute to a film that helps us all remember that "no man is a failure, as long as he has friends". It isn't on television as much as it used to be (for various reasons), but be sure to watch it when you can. Enjoy your stop here.

I've said it before

[frankie]

...and I'll say it every time an Internet Tax story shows up. Please tell your Congressperson: Internet commerce should be taxed exactly the same as phone sales and mail orders, because they're the same damn thing.

No more, no less; no sooner, no later.

Re:State Taxes.

[skyhawker]

Or Gore Junior claiming to be a resident of Tennessee.

Although I suspect that the critical difference is that the Bush and Gore claims are actually LEGAL, while the legality of your router rationale is highly doubtful. Still, I do like the concept. It's OK by me.

oh no, what about the 'brick and mortar'?

[Anonymous Coward]

him: "Tax free internet creates an unfair advantage over brick and mortar stores"

me: "How so?"

him: "well, brick and mortar must charge taxes, internet does not"

me: "So, you are saying therefore that it is a matter of price discrepancy?"

him: [smiling] "Yes, exactly!"

me: "What about the fact that internet stores generally charge less than brick and mortar?"

him: "Ah, thats true... that means that the reduced cause is 'unfair' regardless of cause, I get your point now"

me: "Well, not exactly. However, you are correct in your observation that in the end it is all about cost. My point is about seeing the forest, not just a couple of extra trees"

him: "What is your view?"

me: "Besides the fact that mail/phone order has existed for quite some time... Regardless of the fact that the 'dot.bomb' was largely a result of market saturation coupled with no (or bad) business PLANS, it has been showed that brick and mortar shops are now being relied upon more and more as a means of gathering information from knowledgeable staff, as well as the added visual and tactile analysis that can only be performed (at this point) in real life."

him: "hmmmm"

me: "besides, most often, the consumer gets raked over the coals on many sites unless he is lucky or careful... or so I've heard :) If someone wants some game, speakers, etc and they need or want it now, they are best off buying it at a brick and mortar store instead of waiting... or paying much more for overnight delivery (which is still waiting). There are many issues with ordering online that have yet to be resolved, and therefore it is my opinion that brick and mortar will survive. After all, the mom and pop stores suffered primarily from large chains and corporations, but that is still fair competition. Now you see that many are fed up with the crap from these 'cattle through the gates' chains and are going to more consumer oriented places... re-enter the Mom and Pop store."