Posted on 01/28/2018 12:23:15 PM PST by markomalley
Virginia lawmakers have put forth thousands of bills this General Assembly session.
One has opponents pressing pause.
HB1051 would apply the Communications Sales and Use Tax to services related to the streaming of audio and visual data.
It’s been dubbed the “Netflix Tax.”
“The Democrats are bringing forth the Netflix Tax. They want to tax all the streaming services so that’s Netflix, Hulu, all the things that I think everybody under 30 and even some of us over 30 use. I think it’s a tragic mistake,” said Del. Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax).
It was introduced by Del. Vivian Watts (D-Fairfax).
“It’s all about fairness,” she said.
Right now, that tax already applies to things like cable TV and satellite radio.
But streaming services aren’t included.
Watts said outlets should all play by the same rules.
“This is what we are trying to define so that we have an equal playing field in all of the ways in which this infrastructure allows you to communicate,” she said.
But Hugo said it’s not necessary.
“I think we’re taxed enough. We don’t need to raise taxes. What we need to do is spend wisely,” he said.
Watts admits she doesn’t think her bill will get enough support to make it through this year.
House Republicans have shot down more than $30 billion in tax increases over the last 15 years, according to their spokesperson.
But Watts said it’s something worth considering in the ever-evolving technology landscape.
“It’s an important dialogue that we need to engage in for fairness amongst all of the ways in which we communicate,” she said.
The proposed legislation would bring in nearly $8 million a year to localities that receive a Communications Sales and Use Tax distribution, according to the impact statement submitted with the proposal. That would begin in fiscal year 2019.
The bill will go before a House subcommittee next week.
>>>“It’s an important dialogue that we need to engage in for fairness amongst all of the ways in which we communicate,” she said.<<<<
Meaningless twaddle.
Many somebodies. Most of northern VA.
Any time someone talks about fairness, I reach for the KY Jell.
“It’s all about fairness,” she said.
Can I ask a stupid question?
Why is there a need to tax some service or activity, in order to be “fair” , because some other activities are taxed?
To be fair, couldn’t they get rid of the taxes on other activities, to put them on the same level as Netflix?
Why is it that the only way to be fair is to levy an additional tax, rather than drop existing taxes?
Unconstitutional because states are not allowed to tax each other’s goods and services that cross state lines.
As the proposed Netflix tax does. As if that has stopped libs before.
If it is working well, tax the $Hit out of it so as to ruin it, and in the process impose a ton of regulations so as to destroy it.
And Virginia is closing along the inside rail. Running neck and neck. New York a half a flank back, but not losing ground...
On OAN, we just watched a recent KFI interview between Tim Conway, Jr., and Robert Herring, the CEO (and owner, I think), of OAN. He announced that OAN is coming out with a new Roku-type gizmo for under $10/month, offering several TV stations. I think he said it might be out in a couple weeks.
Democrats are pure evil.
One of the reasons why my cable bill is so frickin high. The tons of fees and taxes.
I love it! Glass is half full.
So you like the government to be able to damage companies through excessive taxation...because you don't like them??
Are you sure you are on the correct site, FRiend? Free Republic is a conservative website. I realize you've only been here since January 6th, so you might not have figured this one out yet...but now you know.
Maybe you missed it but they are trying to tax ALL streaming services, not just netflix.
It’s in the title.
We need to seriously dump california if possible. We won't be able to keep Trump forever.
Snip from local paper:
CALIFORNIA GUESS WHAT ELSE IS GETTING HIGH? MARIJUANA TAXES Customers at pot shops hit with sticker shock Medical marijuana consumers are generally paying at least 20 percent tax on every purchase, and recreational consumers are paying between a low of 28 percent and as much as 40 percent
That’s a perfect example of Democratic Economy.
Isn’t there already a tax from the isp? So we get taxed for our internet and this boob wants to tax again to stream a movie. I call it double taxation.
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