ALL LOCAL PHONE COMPANIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL TAXES & SURCHARGES. THEIR RESPECTIVE GOVERNING BODIES MANDATE THESE TAXES AND USA TELEPHONE HAS NO CONTROL OVER THEIR TYPE OR AMOUNT.

Federal

Telephone service is subject to a number of federal taxes and surcharges that help finance the different regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the state Public Utilities Commissions (PUC), and sponsor programs which benefit all telephone subscribers.

Universal Service Fund
All telecommunications service providers are required to contribute to the Federal Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes telephone service for rural health care providers, schools, libraries and low-income customers.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund
This Fund finances the provision of telecommunications relay services that enable hearing and speech impaired persons to send and receive messages to and from persons whose telephones are not outfitted with specialized equipment.

FCC Common Carrier Regulatory Fee
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) taxes all telephone subscribers to cover the cost of its enforcement and policymaking.

Federal Excise Tax
Telephone services are subject to a 3% federal excise tax. This tax is collected by USA TELEPHONE and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

Emergency 911 Charge
Most states require all telephone subscribers to pay a monthly fee that is used to expand and maintain emergency service. The fee is either an amount per line or a percentage of revenue. State law mandates the fee.

North American Numbering Plan
This plan supports the numbering administration for telecommunications service, which defines area codes and exchanges.

Service/Subscriber Line Charge (SLC)
This is an FCC regulated charge that is designed to supplement local phone carriers' expense for allowing long distance carriers to access the local phone network.

Local Number Portability
This fee allows you to move almost anywhere within your local calling area and keep the same phone number. This FCC mandated fee is applied to your bill every month regardless of whether you move.

State

In addition to federal taxes and surcharges, state, municipal charges may also be applied to your bill in accordance with the governing bodies of telecommunications. These charges differ by state and local geography. Typical charges may include: franchise taxes, sales & use taxes, telecommunications excise taxes, gross receipts taxes, touch tone dialing surcharges, license fees, utility taxes, public utility commission (PUC) fees, rental/lease taxes, business & occupation taxes (B&O), infrastructure fees, 911 taxes and fees, Equalization surcharge, library & school funds, intrastate surcharges, right of way charges, high cost fund surcharge, telephone relay surcharges, universal access charges, communications devices surcharges, access line charges.