Speaking Out

"Many of our customers have told us that they are fed up with high car rental taxes. By engaging business and government leaders, we know we can find win-win solutions."

Avis Budget Group, Inc.

"Taxing travelers has become big sport in cities throughout the United States. Politicians like it because constituents believe such taxes affect out-of-towners, but the reality is that a huge portion of cars are rented by local citizens and businesses who end up paying more than their fair share of the cost of the projects funded by these taxes."

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

"Local government represents the cornerstone of the United States, and we fully support the critical role that localities play in protecting consumer and citizen rights. However, these arbitrary taxes unfairly single out our customers and potentially interfere with interstate commerce by hindering free trade in the nationwide car rental industry."

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

"It's fair for customers to ask why car rental taxes are so high and increasing. Our view is that we can avoid that question by getting businesses, citizens, communities, and elected officials involved in an open discussion on finding the right solutions for broad-based funding of important local initiatives."

The Hertz Corporation

"Our customers have been unfairly singled out to help subsidize sports stadiums and other municipal projects. We will continue to be good corporate citizens, but we feel that these unfair levies, arbitrarily put on our customers, are wrong and must not continue."

Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc.

"Regardless of brand, whether local renters or out-of-towners, our customers are shouldering the burden of arbitrary taxation that has zero connection with renting a car. It is the responsibility of the car rental industry to protect the rights of both its businesses as well as its customers through a unified voice that supports sensible legislation for all parties involved."

The American Car Rental Association

The Interactive Travel Services Association

"Government authorities continue to place an extraordinary tax burden on our customers, particularly as the travel industry develops new and innovative distribution methods.  As a result, ITSA remains focused on fair taxation and equitable public policies.  For example, car rental excise taxes unfairly target out-of-towners to fund local projects while  imposing a substantial cost on local consumers who frequently rent cars and trucks for purposes around the home or business. Therefore, ITSA opposes the proliferation of these taxes as ill-conceived and counterproductive to travel and tourism, with substantial adverse economic effects. "

Arthur B. Sackler, ITSA Executive Director