CTIA Statement After the Senate Finance Committee Hearing

In response to the Senate Finance Committee hearing on tax reform where the Wireless Tax Fairness Act (H.R. 1002, S. 543), which would provide wireless consumers with a five year break on discriminatory taxes and fees, and the Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act (H.R. 1860, S. 971), which would create a national framework for downloaded purchases were repeatedly mentioned as fiscally responsible pieces of legislation, I said:

“CTIA and its members appreciate the leadership of Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and John Thune (R-SD) for today’s hearing on tax reform, especially since they recognize the importance of the Wireless Tax Fairness Act and the Digital Goods Act.

“The Congressional Budget Office scored the Wireless Tax Fairness Act at zero cost to the federal, state, local and tribal governments and with more than 300 million wireless subscribers in the U.S., passing these two bills would provide our customers with some much needed financial relief and clarity.

“Americans who love to use mobile technology should not be discriminated against by state and local governments as a revenue source. U.S. wireless providers are standing up for its customers because they are not a tax collecting agency.

“It is time to get these bills passed by the Senate.”