By Lamar Smith

Internet access should be tax-free. Americans should be able to access the Internet without being subject to state and local taxes, whether those taxes are imposed directly or through an Internet service provider.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to extend the Internet tax moratorium for an additional four years. The current Internet tax moratorium was scheduled to expire Nov. 1.

While I’m pleased that Congress has extended the ban on Internet taxes, I’m disappointed that we did not make the ban permanent. Across the nation, American consumers and businesses support a permanent ban on Internet taxes.

A strong majority in Congress supports a permanent ban on Internet taxes too. More than 240 Members have co-sponsored bills that would make the Internet tax ban permanent.

Permanently banning Internet taxes would spur economic growth and development. High-tech and IP industries account for over half of all U.S. exports, represent 40 percent of our economic growth and employ nearly four percent of U.S. workers.

Only by permanently extending the moratorium can we continue to keep the cost of Internet access down so that lower income individuals – those who are most sensitive to the cost – can continue to use the great informational tool that is the Internet.

Only by making the ban on Internet access taxes permanent can we give businesses the certainty they need to spend billions of dollars to construct, maintain, and update the broadband Internet infrastructure throughout the country.

If we are going to continue to have a healthy economy in America, continue to create jobs, continue to enjoy a high standard of living, and continue to increase productivity, we must encourage and help the high tech industry.

Internet access is more affordable without taxes. A tax-free Internet encourages more people to use the Internet.

Lamar Smith represents the 21st Congressional District.