Nonprofit Group Takes Anti-Internet Tax Quest to TV

Alexandria, VA–The Center for Individual Freedom (CIF), a three-year-old nonprofit organization that fights to protect rights under the U.S. Constitution, launched a TV ad campaign on Sept. 4 urging Congress to extend the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which is scheduled to expire Oct. 21.

The organization’s “No New Internet Tax” commercial has begun to air in Washington and other major media markets nationwide. It’s designed to warn Internet users and high-tech companies of the Internet tax moratorium’s impending deadline, according to CIF executive director Eric Schippers. The ad also urges viewers to call Congress to register their opposition to new Internet taxes.

The CIF campaign came nearly two weeks after 44 U.S. governors signed a letter asking lawmakers to treat online and brick-and-mortar retailers fairly with regard to sales taxes–without necessarily requesting any new taxes on Internet access fees. “This ultimately is an issue about whether it would be in the best interest of the country to create a permanent special privilege for consumers and businesses that buy and sell goods over the Internet, or whether we should create a level playing field that treats all buyers and sellers the same,” Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt said in a statement.