Internet Taxes?

No Online Taxes!!

Americans are used to being taxed for goods and services they purchase in person, but remain opposed to carrying that over to the online world. A new Rasmussen survey finds that 63% of adults oppose the federal government taxing goods and services on the Internet; 24% favor online taxation, while 13% are undecided about the idea. Findings have not changed much from a year ago, when 61% opposed such taxes, while 20% approved. The majority of Americans across all demographic categories oppose taxing goods and services on the Internet. But Democrats (31%) like the idea more than Republicans (19%) and adults not affiliated with either of the major political parties (22%). Men are more supportive of taxing online transactions than women. Unmarried adults and adults without children at home support online taxation more than married adults and adults with children living with them. Americans thoughts on some of the new tax ideas:

• The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has suggested a mileage tax for drivers as a way to pay for the Obama administration’s plan to spend $556 billion over six years on transportation projects. But just 15% of adults favor a mileage tax. Americans currently pay 18.4 cents in federal taxes on a gallon of gas, and some members of Congress have suggested raising the gas tax to pay for transportation projects. Only 17% like that idea.
• So-called “sin taxes” are another popular candidate, often in the name of better public health. But 59% oppose “sin taxes” on soda and junk foods.
• Legalizing and taxing marijuana remains a more popular option – 42% of Americans like this idea as a new revenue source, but 45% are opposed.
• 74% also opposed taxing Internet news sites to help generate revenue for the newspapers they draw much of their news from.
• 53% of adults do not believe the Federal Communications Commission should regulate the Internet the way it does radio and television.