The National Association of Information Technology Companies (Aneinfo) has requested that computers be kept free of the 16% VAT (ITBIS) as they have been exempt from this tax since 1998. As reported in Diario Libre, applying the tax would hinder access to technology of low income individuals as well as small and medium businesses. According to Abel Alegria, president of Aneinfo, only 25 out of every 1,000 inhabitants in the DR own a computer.