Verizon overcharges on Federal excise tax.

[keird]

Dear ATOT,

I'm relying on you to help me topple "The Phone Company". I was checking my bills today looking at how the fees are steadily rising. No news there. The FCC pretty much permits companies to fee you in excess of 30% of your bill and it's all perfectly legal. It's an enrichment scheme as evidenced by "The Phone Company" having a 20% rise in the value of it's stock within the last 5 years.

But. They done goofed. The Federal Excise Tax is capped at 3%. They've been charging me ~4.1% for at least 2 years. State tax isn't assessed for phone bills under $30.00 in my state. So they've overcharged me.

No problem. I'll talk with "The Phone Company" and get a credit for my account. So I speak with one rep who puts me on hold and then states that, "You need to contact the government." I reply, No. That's not how that works. Let me speak with your supervisor." I wait for a while for the supervisor and in no uncertain terms state that the FCC lists the Federal Excise Tax at 3%. You've overcharged me the Federal Excise Tax in excess of 4%. Please credit my account. The supervisor starts talking about fees. I'm not talking about fees. He then states that he can't do anything about taxes and for me to speak with 'the government'.

Okay. I've left a message with NARUC. Who else should I contact? Help me ATOT. You're my only hope.

 

[balloonshark]

I honestly don't know but can't you file a complaint with the FCC? I know a guy that recently filed a complaint with them about bandwidth caps.

 

[futurefields]

Why do you keep writing "The Phone Company" and "the government"

 

[keird]

Why do you keep writing "The Phone Company" and "the government"

"So that "The Phone Company" can't protest/file a suit, etc.

 

[Elixer]

Don't you live in taxachusetts, and you dare complain about that?
All kidding aside, the FCC is the one to look into this: https://www.fcc.gov/guides/understanding-your-telephone-bill

Where to file complaints

If neither the company sending you the bill nor the company that provided the service in question will remove charges from your telephone bill that you consider to be incorrect, you can file a complaint as follows with:

the FCC for charges related to telephone services between states or internationally
your state public service commission for telephone services within your state (contact information can be found at www.naruc.org or in the blue pages or government section of your local telephone directory)
the Federal Trade Commission for non-telephone services on your telephone bill

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Companies are responsible for properly collecting and remitting state/local sales tax. If they over collect, they are under no obligation to return it. However, if they under collect they are free to bill you for it later.

It's part of whats fucked up about our tax code.

 

[lxskllr]

Mail bomb. That'll show them you're not to be toyed with.

 

[keird]

I honestly don't know but can't you file a complaint with the FCC? I know a guy that recently filed a complaint with them about bandwidth caps.

Don't you live in taxachusetts, and you dare complain about that?
All kidding aside, the FCC is the one to look into this: https://www.fcc.gov/guides/understanding-your-telephone-bill

Thanks. I've just entered a complaint. The FCC complaint interface isn't bad.

 

[twinrider1]

Saying it doesn't make it so. You'll need to provide support for your claims if you want ATOT SWAT to jump into action.

 

[CPA]

"So that "The Phone Company" can't protest/file a suit, etc.

What? Lol

 

[darkswordsman17]

Don't you live in taxachusetts, and you dare complain about that?
All kidding aside, the FCC is the one to look into this: https://www.fcc.gov/guides/understanding-your-telephone-bill

Yep. Document and contact the FCC.

Thanks. I've just entered a complaint. The FCC complaint interface isn't bad.

The FCC stepped it up in the past few years. I'm not joking, tell other people that if they have issues with their phone/ISP/etc provider, document everything they can and contact the FCC. It will benefit everyone and will very likely lead to it helping resolve your issue (it will almost certainly be you're best course for that).

This way even when the leadership changes they'll be able to see just how much these companies are fucking people and might think twice about gutting regulations on them.

 

[alcoholbob]

Companies are responsible for properly collecting and remitting state/local sales tax. If they over collect, they are under no obligation to return it. However, if they under collect they are free to bill you for it later.

It's part of whats fucked up about our tax code.

But what if they overcollect but only disburse the correct amount to the government, then file the rest as profit? That's legal?

 

[tynopik]

file suit in small claims court
The Phone Company doesn't show
win default judgment
The Phone Company doesn't pay
sic the Sheriff on their local office and have him start carting out computer to cover the judgment
win an internetz

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

But what if they overcollect but only disburse the correct amount to the government, then file the rest as profit? That's legal?

As far as I know, yes. There are countless products that do not apply to sales tax in my state. Do you honestly think all the stores have their tax data up to date for all products they sell?

Part of the reason I work in tax

 

[Sooon]

If their stock has only gone up 20% over the last 5 years, they've performed very poorly.

 

[akugami]

If the establishment knowingly overcharges you for sales tax, then that is fraud. This should be reported to whatever department of your state government it is that deals with taxes. Likely the state attorney general and/or the state treasury.

If the establishment thought they were charging the correct amount and sent the full amount of taxes collected to Uncle Sam, then you have to file for a tax refund from your local state or city government.

Depending on local laws, in some cases an establishment can keep a small percentage of tax overcharges but I believe if it's a large amount they have to turn it over to Uncle Sam.

It's a FACT that big telecoms are shady. Hell, Verizon settled a government lawsuit for $93.5 million in 2011 in which Verizon overcharged the government for services.

 

[shortylickens]

I just got a check from AT&T.


23 cents.


Had the paper been nicer I would have wiped my ass with it.

 

[keird]

I just got a check from AT&T.


23 cents.


Had the paper been nicer I would have wiped my ass with it.

A first class stamp costs 49 cents.

 

[keird]

file suit in small claims court
The Phone Company doesn't show
win default judgment
The Phone Company doesn't pay
sic the Sheriff on their local office and have him start carting out computer to cover the judgment
win an internetz

Exactly! I'll present my case masterfully and demand ~1.1% of their earnings for the last 2 years. If they don't pay up, I'll hire one of our famous, non-profit SWAT teams, get a warrant and smite them! Ooh. I'll smite them real hard!

Edit: Do you think Anandtech would like to host The Phone Company support forums?

 

[keird]

Just got a response back from the FCC.

Hi keird,

Your Ticket No. XXXXXX was served on Verizon Wireline on Aug 5 for its review and response.

Verizon Wireline will likely contact you in an effort to resolve your issue.

A response is due to the FCC no later than 30 days from today. Verizon Wireline will respond to you directly by postal mail.

You can view a list of frequently asked questions at: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/205082880.

Thank you for your complaint and help in furthering the FCC’s mission on behalf of consumers.

Fuck yeah. Verizon is gonna have some stamp-licking comeuppance.

 

[sunzt]

Just got a response back from the FCC.



Fuck yeah. Verizon is gonna have some stamp-licking comeuppance.

Good job OP. Surprised FCC responded this fast. Keep us updated on your case.

 

[rh71]

Is this the "Federal Universal Service Fee" because I don't have an excise tax listed. The only other possible one is "FDV Administrative Charge" but that's only $0.99 on a $111 bill. The former is $3.44 which is pennies higher than 3%.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Just got a response back from the FCC.



Fuck yeah. Verizon is gonna have some stamp-licking comeuppance.

Any idea if this is something that will be corrected across the board? I'm with Verizon and curious if I would get anything or if I should put in a complaint as well...

 

[drinkmorejava]

I'm in Mass and I don't see anything labeled as federal/excise tax. There's a USF of 4.26%. I'm guessing you're talking about a landline, but it's hard for me to feel sorry when you still have one of those.

 

[OutHouse]

Dear ATOT,

I'm relying on you to help me topple "The Phone Company". I was checking my bills today looking at how the fees are steadily rising. No news there. The FCC pretty much permits companies to fee you in excess of 30% of your bill and it's all perfectly legal. It's an enrichment scheme as evidenced by "The Phone Company" having a 20% rise in the value of it's stock within the last 5 years.

But. They done goofed. The Federal Excise Tax is capped at 3%. They've been charging me ~4.1% for at least 2 years. State tax isn't assessed for phone bills under $30.00 in my state. So they've overcharged me.

No problem. I'll talk with "The Phone Company" and get a credit for my account. So I speak with one rep who puts me on hold and then states that, "You need to contact the government." I reply, No. That's not how that works. Let me speak with your supervisor." I wait for a while for the supervisor and in no uncertain terms state that the FCC lists the Federal Excise Tax at 3%. You've overcharged me the Federal Excise Tax in excess of 4%. Please credit my account. The supervisor starts talking about fees. I'm not talking about fees. He then states that he can't do anything about taxes and for me to speak with 'the government'.

Okay. I've left a message with NARUC. Who else should I contact? Help me ATOT. You're my only hope.

you really think that calling a call center and talking to a phone jockey was going to get you a refund on a tax? lol lol lol lol

you need to write a letter to your "phone company" detailing your specific issue.