Watching Washington: what to look for in 2005: from tax policy to health care reform, the 109th Congress will tackle a host of issues with important implications for state and local governments.

• Author: Gaffney, Susan
• Position: Federal Focus

The incoming 109th Congress will again address a host of issues with important implications for state and local governments. As legislation is introduced and regulatory proposals are brought forward, GFOA will keep members apprised of significant developments through the GFOA Newsletter and the association's Web site. Below are some highlights of the issues the Federal Liaison Center will be following in 2005.

COMMUNICATIONS TAXES

Not since the mid-1990s has Congress been so focused on communications policy, especially as it relates to the taxing authority of state and local governments. Congress will review the 1996 Telecommunications Act, as well as piecemeal legislation dealing with communications issues. Of particular concern to state and local governments is the preservation of their authority to enact and administer taxes and fees associated with communication services, utilities, and rights-of-way. Additionally, the treatment of new technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) will need to be closely monitored to ensure that these services do not receive a "tax-free" pass--a move that would severely curtail state and local tax revenues.

Although Congress passed legislation late in 2004 extending the moratorium on state and local taxation of Internet access until 2007, this issue will likely be re-addressed as part of the larger communications debate. It is critical that state and local governments continue to advocate for a strict definition of "Internet access" that precludes any broad tax exemption for communications services that are bundled together with Internet access.

REMOTE SALES TAXES

Congress will again review the progress that the states are making to implement a simplification of the sales tax system under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA). The SSUTA is intended to allow for state and local taxation of remote sales by simplifying the make-up and administration of the sales tax system. SSUTA officials are aiming for an October 2005 target date for voluntary implementation. Although congressional approval of the SSUTA has not yet been achieved, legislation will be forthcoming in 2005 to secure congressional support for the SSUTA. State and local governments must ensure that any federal legislation pertaining to the taxation of remote sales focuses exclusively on sales and use taxes and does not include extraneous language about communications taxes or business activity tax reform measures.

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