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Taxes, Surcharges & Fees - California
Below is a chart of the taxes, surcharges and fees that may appear on your bill.
| TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES | TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR: Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D) | IMPOSED ON: Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S) | DEFINITION | Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Excise Tax | T | C | A federal tax on local telephone services and surcharges. | Telephone |
| Federal Universal Service Fund | T | A, P | A federal surcharge on interstate and international telephone services to support universal service programs such as the schools and libraries discount program. The Federal USF may also be assessed on phone surcharges. | Telephone |
| Regulatory Fee | C | A, P | This fee is an annual assessment imposed by the FCC pursuant to Public Law 103-66, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. The FCC uses these monies to offset costs associated with its enforcement, public service, international and policy and rulemaking activities. | Cable |
| 911 Tax | T | C | The E911 system utilizes a system to route emergency telephone calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The enhanced 911 system allows the PSAP operator to automatically see the phone number and address of the person calling. The E911 fee covers the expenses for the E911 system. All lines (residential and commercial) are subject to a monthly E911 charge per line which is imposed by the state, city or county. | Telephone |
| State and Local Sales Tax | T, C, D | C | A tax levied by a state or local government on the sale or rental of tangible personal property and/or certain services such as telephone and cable services. | Telephone, Cable, Data |
| PUC Tax | T | A, P | A state surcharge imposed by the Public Utilities Commission on intrastate telecommunication services. | Telephone |
| State Universal Service Fund – Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Surcharge | T | C | A state surcharge on intrastate telecommunication services to support universal service programs such as the schools and libraries discount program. | Telephone |
| State Telecom Relay Surcharge (DDTP) – DEAF Surcharge | T | C | A state surcharge on telephone access lines to support the telephone relay service designed for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. | Telephone |
| State Teleconnect Fund Surcharge (CTF) | T | C | A state surcharge on intrastate telecommunication services to support universal service programs such as the schools and libraries discount program. | Telephone |
| High Cost Fund Surcharge – A (CHCF-A) | T | C | A state surcharge imposed by the Public Utilities Commission on telecommunication services to support the service provided in high cost service areas. | Telephone |
| California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) | T | C | A state surcharge on intrastate telecommunication services to spur deployment of broadband facilties in unserved and underserved areas of California. | Telephone |
| Franchise Fee – Cable | C | A, P | A fee paid to allow use of the public streets and rights-of-way and operate a cable television system within that municipality. This is pursuant to requirements of the California Public Utility Commission issued statewide video franchise, and is normally assessed on all cable revenue. | Cable |
| PEG Access Fee | C | A, P | This fee is part of the Franchise agreement and is passed through to cable subscribers. The fee is to support Public, Educational, and Governmental facilities, equipment and services. | Cable |
| City/County Utility User Tax | T, C | C | A tax levied by a city or county to allow use of the public streets and rights-of-way and operate cable television system or to provide telecommunication services within that municipality. | Telephone, Cable |
| Subscriber Line Charge | T | S | Monthly recurring charge applied to all phone line, trunk, and PRI services offered pursuant to Astound’s tariffs and/or price lists. There are no exemptions associated with this product charge. Rates are subject to change.This charge is not government mandated nor a tax or fee imposed on you by the government. It is a surcharge Astound assesses and retains. | Telephone |
| Internet Infrastructure Fee | D | S | A fee to defray costs associated with building and maintaining Astound’s fiber rich broadband network, as well as the costs of expanding network capacity to support the continued increase in customers’ average bandwidth consumption. This fee is not a government mandated tax or fee imposed on you by the government. This is a fee that Astound assesses and retains. | Data |
| Regulatory Administration Fee | T | S | This fee is assessed to recover the cost of complying with certain federal impositions related to voice service. It is a monthly charge to defray a portion of the fees paid to support government programs such as Telecommunications Relay Service and Local Number Portability, along with other charges assessed by the FCC, and additional indirect costs associated with administering and complying with government programs. This charge is not a customer tax or fee assessed by a government agency. It is a surcharge Astound assesses and retains. | Telephone |
| Broadcast Surcharge | C | S | Recovery of a portion of the rapidly increasing costs charged by local broadcast TV stations for carriage rights. This fee is not a government mandated tax or fee imposed by the government. This is a fee Astound assesses and retains. | Cable |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Federal Excise Tax |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A federal tax on local telephone services and surcharges. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Federal Universal Service Fund |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
A, P |
DEFINITION
A federal surcharge on interstate and international telephone services to support universal service programs such as the schools and libraries discount program. The Federal USF may also be assessed on phone surcharges. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Regulatory Fee |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
C |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
A, P |
DEFINITION
This fee is an annual assessment imposed by the FCC pursuant to Public Law 103-66, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. The FCC uses these monies to offset costs associated with its enforcement, public service, international and policy and rulemaking activities. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Cable |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
911 Tax |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
The E911 system utilizes a system to route emergency telephone calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The enhanced 911 system allows the PSAP operator to automatically see the phone number and address of the person calling. The E911 fee covers the expenses for the E911 system. All lines (residential and commercial) are subject to a monthly E911 charge per line which is imposed by the state, city or county. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
State and Local Sales Tax |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T, C, D |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A tax levied by a state or local government on the sale or rental of tangible personal property and/or certain services such as telephone and cable services. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone, Cable, Data |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
PUC Tax |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
A, P |
DEFINITION
A state surcharge imposed by the Public Utilities Commission on intrastate telecommunication services. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
State Universal Service Fund – Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Surcharge |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A state surcharge on intrastate telecommunication services to support universal service programs such as the schools and libraries discount program. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
State Telecom Relay Surcharge (DDTP) – DEAF Surcharge |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A state surcharge on telephone access lines to support the telephone relay service designed for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
State Teleconnect Fund Surcharge (CTF) |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A state surcharge on intrastate telecommunication services to support universal service programs such as the schools and libraries discount program. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
High Cost Fund Surcharge – A (CHCF-A) |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A state surcharge imposed by the Public Utilities Commission on telecommunication services to support the service provided in high cost service areas. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A state surcharge on intrastate telecommunication services to spur deployment of broadband facilties in unserved and underserved areas of California. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Franchise Fee – Cable |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
C |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
A, P |
DEFINITION
A fee paid to allow use of the public streets and rights-of-way and operate a cable television system within that municipality. This is pursuant to requirements of the California Public Utility Commission issued statewide video franchise, and is normally assessed on all cable revenue. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Cable |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
PEG Access Fee |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
C |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
A, P |
DEFINITION
This fee is part of the Franchise agreement and is passed through to cable subscribers. The fee is to support Public, Educational, and Governmental facilities, equipment and services. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Cable |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
City/County Utility User Tax |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T, C |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
C |
DEFINITION
A tax levied by a city or county to allow use of the public streets and rights-of-way and operate cable television system or to provide telecommunication services within that municipality. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone, Cable |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Subscriber Line Charge |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
S |
DEFINITION
Monthly recurring charge applied to all phone line, trunk, and PRI services offered pursuant to Astound’s tariffs and/or price lists. There are no exemptions associated with this product charge. Rates are subject to change.This charge is not government mandated nor a tax or fee imposed on you by the government. It is a surcharge Astound assesses and retains. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Internet Infrastructure Fee |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
D |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
S |
DEFINITION
A fee to defray costs associated with building and maintaining Astound’s fiber rich broadband network, as well as the costs of expanding network capacity to support the continued increase in customers’ average bandwidth consumption. This fee is not a government mandated tax or fee imposed on you by the government. This is a fee that Astound assesses and retains. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Data |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Regulatory Administration Fee |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
T |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
S |
DEFINITION
This fee is assessed to recover the cost of complying with certain federal impositions related to voice service. It is a monthly charge to defray a portion of the fees paid to support government programs such as Telecommunications Relay Service and Local Number Portability, along with other charges assessed by the FCC, and additional indirect costs associated with administering and complying with government programs. This charge is not a customer tax or fee assessed by a government agency. It is a surcharge Astound assesses and retains. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Telephone |
|
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES
Broadcast Surcharge |
TAXES, FEES & SURCHARGES FOR:
Telephone (T), Cable (C), or Data (D)
C |
IMPOSED ON:
Customer (C), Astound (A), Astound passed through to Customer (A, P) or Surcharge imposed by Astound (S)
S |
DEFINITION
Recovery of a portion of the rapidly increasing costs charged by local broadcast TV stations for carriage rights. This fee is not a government mandated tax or fee imposed by the government. This is a fee Astound assesses and retains. |
Location on the Bill where the charge appears in the Tax, Surcharge or Fee Section
Cable |