A bill containing what critics described as an "iPod tax" was approved by the Senate on Thursday.
The catch-all revenue department bill includes a provision that would raise $4.3 million or more annually by applying the 5 percent state sales tax to digital material that's been downloaded from the Internet: songs, audio books, cell-phone ring tones, movies and computer software.
"This tax is impractical, unenforceable and it is highly unpopular," said Sen. Jeff Angelo, a Creston Republican, in opposing the measure.
Supporters say the state is simply treating the taxation of such items the same - whether the purchase is from a business on Main Street or on the Internet.
Senate File 596 was passed by the Senate on a 29-20 vote and sent to the House for more debate.
Is anyone else sick and tired of the state and federal government taxing everything they can so they can grab every last penny that is "owed to them?"
They first anger a lot of people who voted for them by passing the tobacco tax increase, now they are passing a tax on internet downloads that will anger a lot of the young people who tend to lean Democrat. It wasn't long ago when the record companies were going after illegal downloads. If the House passes this tax, will illegal downloads go up again? Also, how will this tax be collected? Are they going to make the companies send them a monthly check? Or maybe send a bill to each household?
I said this after the tobacco tax increase, and I'll say it again. There is nothing that this new majority at the State House in Des Moines will not tax. It won't be long and you'll be seeing taxes proposed on your fast food, on your carbon footprint, and who knows what else.
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