Senate introduces Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act

Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have recently introduced the "Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act" (S 1192), which promises to enact a five-year halt on new or increased taxes on wireless infrastructure and services. It is supported by Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Patty Murray (D- Wash.), John Ensign (R-Nev.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

This bill is a companion to the "Cell Tax Fairness Act of 2009" (HR 1521) that was introduced a few months ago by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) of the House. HR 1521 has just been scheduled for a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee. The legislation enjoys wide support in the telecommunications industry; the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), in particular, voiced its approval, adding that U.S. wireless subscribers paid almost $21 billion in taxes and fees in 2008.

The legislation would not affect current state, local, or federal taxes.

[JCPayne]

Everything is give and take. If they are given this reprieve the carriers should have to prove their plan on how much build-out they'll commit to over the next 5 years.

[dgutf]

The big cellular companies benefit, and rarely do they benefit from ANYTHING without the customers taking it in the shorts.

[teddy-g]

The big cellular companies benefit because the cost of service for the consumer goes down. But the biggest benefit by a tax cut of this type is the CONSUMER! This means your town or state can't levy new taxes on your cell phone bill.

I'm amazed when people see tax cut and immediately associate it with a corporate win. I look forward to New York not being able to levy further taxes on my cell phone bill -- I pay around a 20% tax rate already!