Understanding taxes and fees on your Ting bill

At Ting, we don’t add unnecessary fees, but we’re required to collect taxes and regulatory fees mandated by federal, state, and local governments. These fees vary by location and may change over time. Your bill provides a detailed breakdown of these charges—hover over any item in your bill for an explanation.

Mobile taxes and fees explained

E911 fees

Appears as: E911 Tax (Wireless) / E911 Tax

Covers 911 emergency call services.
Typically a flat rate per line/activation, ranging from $0.50 to $3.00 per month, though some states calculate it as a percentage.
On average, Ting customers pay about $0.79 per month on a $30 bill.

FCC regulatory fee

Appears as: FCC Regulatory Fee (Wireless)

Funds the FCC’s enforcement and policy-making activities.
Usually $0.02 to $0.06 per month on a $30 bill.

Universal service fund (USF)

Appears as: Fed USF Cellular / Fed Universal Service Fund / State Universal Service Fund

Supports affordable telecommunications in high-cost areas, schools, libraries, and hospitals.
Federal and some state governments levy this fee.
On average, it’s about $1.03 per month on a $30 bill, accounting for roughly 30% of total taxes and surcharges.

Federal telecommunications relay services fund

Funds telephone services for people with hearing or speech disabilities, including text-to-voice relay services. Learn more in the FCC Consumer Guide.

State and local taxes

States and municipalities may impose various taxes, such as:

Telecommunications sales tax: ~$0.96 per month on a $30 bill.
Sales tax: ~$1.28 per month on a $30 bill.
Statutory gross receipts tax: ~$1.00 per month on a $30 bill.

These taxes can make up 25-30% of the total taxes and fees on your bill.

Some areas also charge:

License tax: ~$1.25 per month.
Utility users tax: ~$1.00 per month.

Other Surcharges

Some states charge additional fees for specific programs, like California’s Teleconnect Fund or Oregon’s Residential Service Protection Fund.

Tax exemptions

Ting doesn’t process tax-exempt purchases. If you qualify for tax exemptions (e.g., 501(c)3 organizations), you’ll need to file for reimbursement with your state or local government. Common forms include:

New York: Form AU-11.
California: Form CDTFA-101.

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