Putting a tax on Internet access has been compared to charging people to enter a physical shopping mall. The idea strikes many as absurd, including most lawmakers. But Congress is drifting in the direction of letting this tax moratorium expire in mid-December.

If Congress does let the moratorium end, states will be free to impose an access tax. Doing so would cost U.S. taxpayers about $14.7 billion a year in new taxes, according to a new study by the American Action Forum, which describes itself as a center-right policy forum.

U.S. House members of both parties were so opposed to the idea of lifting the access tax moratorium that it approved in July — and by voice vote, no less — a permanent ban on access taxes. There is similarly strong support in the Senate for extending the moratorium — if a “clean” bill without any amendments is offered.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

…