Cell Phone Taxes...help please

April 12, 2004 | me

[Im4Starr]

I just got my latest AT&T cell phone bill today. Every month, when the statement arrives, I am continually annoyed/surprised by the taxes on my $29.99/month plan. All told, this month the grand total was over $40 bucks...if I did the math correctly, that's over 30% in taxes.

Yes, this month there was 1 single call for 411, but the taxes/surcharges/regulatory fees are above and beyond that standalone $1.25 charge.

[Im4Starr]

I guess my question is: is there any recourse we as consumers have against these seemingly constant increases in phone-related fees/taxes?

Are there any online resources I can consult as to who to contact, etc.?

Thanks.

[quantim]

You might just answer "no".

I'll answer I don't know.  I think it is an 'implied' sales tax relabeled a use tax so the state can collect it.  Some states have to collect sales tax online because of state laws, not here in MI yet, not for the lack of trying. But my thinking on my original post #38 was that the feds will FIND A WAY to tax everything on the Internet from emails to basket-weaving supplies.  Just like they have imposed themselves in the phone industry as this thread points out.

[bk1000]

"Using a cell phone for your phone number for some financial activities (such as opening a bank account or credit card application) can get you flagged as a potential fraudulent account."

Not to mention many pizza places will not take delivery orders from a cellphone.

[jammer]

Oh, absolutely. I agree with you. The Supreme Court would have ruled differently if Congress could figure a way to tax sodomy!

Luckily, I have the second showing of my house tomorrow afternoon, so I may be able to escape occupied Michigan soon. What a beautiful, wonderful place to be in the clutches of such demons. Oh, well. Good luck.

[Jedi Master Yoda]

Unless you get perfect reception, there's nothing more annoying that being on hold, waiting for 10 minutes and having your phone drop the call. Also, at least in Massachusetts, all of the 911 calls from cellphones are answered by the state police and then have to be transferred to the local police costing valuable time. I'm don't know what the situation is where you are located.

[cyborg]

I am wondering the same thing.

[July 4th]

For me it's alot cheaper, but I suppose everybody's LD usage is different

Yeah, for me it pays to stick with SBC. $20/mo. (plus tax) gets me unlimited long distance, which is nice, since I call long distance for about an hour a day. Altogether, my local service w/caller ID, unlimited long distance, and DSL package are exactly $100 for the month all on the same bill, which is pretty good IMHO.