|
To say that the 111th
Congress has been historic would be a huge understatement. To date,
it has approved massive spending packages and nearly doubled the
federal deficit. Congress also passed a form of government-run
health care that is unique in our nation’s 234 year history. What's
next you may ask? If Rep. Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts gets his
way, doing commerce on line tax free will soon be coming to an
abrupt end.
The Massachusetts Democrat introduced a bill that would re-write the
ground rules for Internet and mail order sales by eliminating the
option many Americans currently enjoy: shopping on the Internet
without paying state sales taxes.
You may not shop on line often but like most proposed legislation
there are many details that are "not discussed." For example, this
morning I thought of a song from back in the day, a hit by Bruce
Springsteen from 1984, "Born in the USA." So I purchased it from
iTunes. Then the thought hit me, if the above legislation is
approved, every time someone buys a song from iTunes, a tax will be
imposed.
Taking this proposed legislation a step further makes me wonder, how
will Internet advertising sales be affected? I work with hundreds of
radio stations that stream on the Internet. Most are looking for
ways to monetize their stream and to do so they sell banner ads on
their player boxes and websites. Will that advertising revenue be
iTaxed?
However, a new proposal in the US Congress is designed to curb many
of these taxes, which have popped up all over the country in the
last three years. Currently, some 23 states and the District of
Columbia levy sales taxes in one form or another on e-books, music,
apps, ringtones, and other digital downloads. The bill, sponsored by
Reps. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), is part of a
broader effort by technology firms and telecommunications providers
to push back against what they view as tax agencies that are
unreasonably singling out electronic purchases with unfair,
expensive, and confusing rules.
Apple, AT&T, Electronic Arts, Cox Communications, Verizon, T-Mobile,
and Time Warner Cable are among the companies that have endorsed the
legislation, saying that "fast-paced technological and commercial
changes are making it increasingly difficult, and in some cases
nearly impossible" to comply with "confusing and conflicting" state
and federal tax laws.
How will the government define "digital assets" or "iProperty" The
debate will continue for some time but if we don't keep an eye on
the officials we elect, that email you just sent will require an "iStamp."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Palmer is co-founder of ChristianNetcast.com. With 20 years
of internet experience, David has assisted ministries in taking
their message global with the ever evolving world of technology.
With over 500 Christian radio stations as clients, ChristianNetcast
has be come a leader in streaming technologies. His goal is to see
Christian broadcasters use every tool available, so that ministries
can have an impact beyond their four walls and zip codes. As
technologies have evolved, David has held the hand of many
ministries as they have watched their church grow to include virtual
congregations. His diverse experience as a Navy Veteran, ordained
Minister and coach have made him a fun and informative speaker at
Universities, high schools and Conventions. David has been featured
on Fox News, 700 Club and TBN .
ChristianNetcast is the parent company of ChristianNetcast.com,
CNC Technologies, MainstreamNetwork and NWR Network.
ChristianNetcast.com was birthed in 1999, in what many would
consider the most unlikely place to establish an internet company.
While many internet startups were based in the Silicon Valley,
ChristianNetcast.com was started in what used to be the lumber
capital of the world, Bangor Maine. Todd VanTasel and David Palmer,
founders of ChristianNetcast.com were attending a local church and
saw the need to have the churches services broadcasted on the
internet. When other ministries learned how the church was using
this new streaming technology, they soon wanted to use the same type
of tools for their church. The word about ChristianNetcast.com
quickly spread and the company began to receive international
recognition and was featured on television and radio programs such
as Fox News, CBN, 700 Club and TBN. In 2006 the company moved its
headquarters to Virginia Beach VA. ChristianNetcast.com currently
serves over 500 ministries worldwide.
|
