Washington – NYC has the second highest cell phone tax rate in America, according to a study released by Representative Anthony Weiner, the Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.
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His report shows that New Yorkers pay ten cell phone taxes and fees—more than any other major city in the country. And the tax rate is 16.20%, second only to Chicago, which clocks in at 19.02%.
For a $50 phone bill, the average New Yorker pays more than $10 in taxes every single month. And because some of the fees are a set price, customers with smaller phone bills pay comparatively more in taxes and levies.
Weiner is a cosponsor of the Cell Tax Fairness Act, which would prevent state and local governments from singling out wireless services for new taxes. It would not, however, roll back or reduce current wireless taxes or fees, and current revenues derived from wireless consumers would stay the same.
“Our cell phone bills have monthly fees for everything from city and state sales taxes to multiple surcharges. It’s gotten out of control,” Weiner said in a statement.
If it doesn’t change status quo then who cares?
If it doesn’t change status quo then who cares?
Hes not Kidding, he should pay more attention to Bank “charges & fees” too.. hasn’t that gotten out of hand?
This is ridiculos!!
It’s true; these fees are out of control. You pay the carrier’s own bogus fees plus multiple taxes to EACH of the county, city and state; it’s absurd.
i even get a tax on my bill that says something like texas state tax , and i live in flatbush! seriously
I heard that the 911 tax that we pay goes to the cellphone company but then where does it go?????????????????Does anybody in cyberspace have an answer????
Why not roll back the current taxes. More do nothing politics!
How about the taxes for the regular phone? It is ridiculous!
there are taxes and then there are fees
taxes go to the government
fees are what the phone company’s charge to recoup some of their cost
some of which include fees they have to pay to the government
for example take the 911 charge the co. needs to pay the gov. for enhanced 911 service and in turn passes that cost along to the customer
as for what some of you say
“if it doesn’t lower costs now then what is the point or who cares”
the answer is that taxes and fees go up and up and while its true it would be better for us if it would roll back costs even so this proposal is better then nothing
This sample bill would be higher if it was in Brooklyn. There are about 4 more Kings county taxes on my bill.
Pre-paid cellphones carry NO taxes! That means a $39.99 monthly plan is exactly that! Rabosai.. $ave your yiddish gelt!
verizon never has the same amount on any bill even if your on a flat plan. Verizon bills the “retail” value of your calls and the tax is based on all your calls even if your on a flat plan.
The law does not permit this and it is against federal laws but nobody does anything about it.