Verizon overcharges on Federal excise tax.

[rh71]

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.

Do you guys without landlines use your cell numbers for utility companies and everything else that matters? Do you get telemarketers?

We still have a landline because of central station alarm (guessing you don't have that) and it's not that much more for it since we're doing the triple bundle for tv/internet/phone.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

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.

I can't even understand my fucking bill to be honest with you.

It seems like they charge taxes by the line, and not by the plan?

I can't understand their methodology for their tax charges and I'm a tax guy... D:

Do you guys without landlines use your cell numbers for utility companies and everything else that matters? Do you get telemarketers?

We still have a landline because of central station alarm (guessing you don't have that) and it's not that much more for it since we're doing the triple bundle for tv/internet/phone.

Wut? Why would what I call matter? Yes, I call utility companies, I call alarm companies, I call anything with my cell phone. I usually don't get any telemarketing. Though I have gotten a survey request or two (rare).

They have alarms these days that work off cell towers, which is actually considered more secure because crooks can do something like cut the line outside - then how are the authorities called? Since it works off cell-lines, it has no problems with that.

Also, if you're with Comcast and you're doing that "triple bundle" I'm sure your bill is approaching $200.... enjoying that?

 

[OutHouse]

Do you guys without landlines use your cell numbers for utility companies and everything else that matters? Do you get telemarketers?

We still have a landline because of central station alarm (guessing you don't have that) and it's not that much more for it since we're doing the triple bundle for tv/internet/phone.

yes and yes.

i just got a stupid robo call today from "Kate from Google..."

 

[amdhunter]

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

Quoted for NSA.

 

[rh71]

Wut? Why would what I call matter? Yes, I call utility companies, I call alarm companies, I call anything with my cell phone. I usually don't get any telemarketing. Though I have gotten a survey request or two (rare).

They have alarms these days that work off cell towers, which is actually considered more secure because crooks can do something like cut the line outside - then how are the authorities called? Since it works off cell-lines, it has no problems with that.

Also, if you're with Comcast and you're doing that "triple bundle" I'm sure your bill is approaching $200.... enjoying that?

LOL - no, the number you have on record with them. Do you trust every company not to share it? My mortgage company even has opt-outs and you can only opt-out of certain sharing. Look it up. Nomorobo works on FIOS landline but not with my cell (VZW), so that's a plus for landline and I can keep my cellphone personal.

4G connections for alarms cost more per month and they can jam that. They all have their negatives.

Our FIOS bill is $111/mo. after taxes.

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

How does one do this easily? I have a neighbor I strongly dislike.

 

[mafia]

About two months ago I was making an excel sheet to determine how to bill people on my account, splitting monthly access, tax rates etc. I share my account with family and a couple of friends. Long story short, I couldn't really figure out my local tax charges so I called VZW customer service and they told me the same thing, "Your government determines those." So I argued with the customer service guy (I actually had a good argument, forgot what it was since I'm at work now) for a bit and they referred me to some higher up people who were going to call me back the following week. They never did. I kind of dropped the issue, but now that I see this thread I might look back into it tonight. I think everyone with a Verizon Wireless plan should look into their taxes (local and federal) and see if they make sense.

 

[keird]

I can't even understand my fucking bill to be honest with you.

It seems like they charge taxes by the line, and not by the plan?

I can't understand their methodology for their tax charges and I'm a tax guy... D:

http://www.verizon.com/ and http://www.verizonwireless.com/ are similiar but different. The paper version of my bill doesn't itemize a couple of fees and just lumps them together. You have to download your bill as a .pdf or an Excel file to see everything itemized.

Monthly Unlimited Local Calling 19.64
Federal Excise Tax 0.81
911/Disability Access Fee 1.25
Federal Subscriber Line Charge 6.41
Federal Access Recover Charge 0.98
Federal Universal Service Fee 1.28
Total 30.37


The Federal Subscriber Line Charge varies for me but is now $6.41 (maximum permitted by law is $6.50) What does ATOT pay?

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

LOL - no, the number you have on record with them. Do you trust every company not to share it? My mortgage company even has opt-outs and you can only opt-out of certain sharing. Look it up. Nomorobo works on FIOS landline but not with my cell (VZW), so that's a plus for landline and I can keep my cellphone personal.

4G connections for alarms cost more per month and they can jam that. They all have their negatives.

Our FIOS bill is $111/mo. after taxes.




How does one do this easily? I have a neighbor I strongly dislike.

Actually, the 3G alarm service is hands down the cheapest service. Take a look around, you can get that service for as cheap as 10/month.

 

[KeithP]

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.

Assuming what you have stated is accurate, then any class action attorney in the country would be happy to help you get the situation resolved.

-KeithP

 

[allisolm]

It seems like they charge taxes by the line, and not by the plan?


Also, if you're with Comcast and you're doing that "triple bundle" I'm sure your bill is approaching $200.... enjoying that?

They do charge by the line for cell phones but the Federal Excise Tax is apparently charged on local only services. See here for explanation of all that stuff. I know I don't have that tax on my cell phone bill.

I don't see it on my Comcast bill either, which is a triple play and is $115 a month including all the taxes and surcharges. So, yes, I am enjoying that.

 

[keird]

Assuming what you have stated is accurate, then any class action attorney in the country would be happy to help you get the situation resolved.

-KeithP

Meh. I'd Rather take them to small claims. The idea of scores of lawyers from both sides seeing hundreds of potential billable hours doesn't appeal to me.

My bill has always been 19.64 for more than 2 years (documented) I've been with Verizon since 1997. So 0.81-0.59=0.22. Multiply times 24 months and I'm looking at a whopping 5.28. Even if I tried to recover 18 years of overcharges it would only be 57.52.

Maybe I should demand payment in copper bullion.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Meh. I'd Rather take them to small claims. The idea of scores of lawyers from both sides seeing hundreds of potential billable hours doesn't appeal to me.

My bill has always been 19.64 for more than 2 years (documented) I've been with Verizon since 1997. So 0.81-0.59=0.22. Multiply times 24 months and I'm looking at a whopping 5.28. Even if I tried to recover 18 years of overcharges it would only be 57.52.

Maybe I should demand payment in copper bullion.

right, but verizon currently has 100M wireless subscribers. so now verizon has profited up to an additional $5B because of excess tax charges (it will be much lower than that because they probably didn't have 100M wireless subscribers 20 years ago)

 

[keird]

right, but verizon currently has 100M wireless subscribers. so now verizon has profited up to an additional $5B because of excess tax charges (it will be much lower than that because they probably didn't have 100M wireless subscribers 20 years ago)

I see your point. Well, I wish they hadn't forced my hand in this matter but I'll seek damages exceeding 50 bucks, punitive damages somewhere around 5 million and one of their employees in my basement

 

[keird]

Verizon sent this today.

I received your FCC complaint regarding the Federal Excise Tax. I have to refer you to our website which can give you an explanation of all of our surcharges and taxes. The 3% tax is calculated on the following:

Your Unlimited Local Calling is 19.64
Federal Subscriber Line & Access Recovery Charge 7.39
27.03


Federal Excise Tax @ 3% .81


If you have any further questions or concerns please reach out to our team.


http://www.verizon.com/support/residential/phone/homephone/billing/charges+and+taxes/taxes+and+surcharges+on+your+bill/95873.h


Kimberly Levesque
Verizon
Executive Relations
New England
(508) 502-9635 - voicemail

Even when you place html at the end it gives you a Verizon 'We're sorry' page. I think they're editing their page. I didn't recall seeing that Verizon's explanation of federal excise tax stipulated that fees were taxed. I have to do a little math. But they may have done goofed again. Gotta check.

 

[JSt0rm]

I have verizon and dont see any federal excise tax. Its all CA taxes.

 

[isekii]

I see your point. Well, I wish they hadn't forced my hand in this matter but I'll seek damages exceeding 50 bucks, punitive damages somewhere around 5 million and one of their employees in my basement

I'd love to bedazzle with this chick. So cute and sexy.

 

[PenguinPower]

Verizon sent this today.


Even when you place html at the end it gives you a Verizon 'We're sorry' page. I think they're editing their page. I didn't recall seeing that Verizon's explanation of federal excise tax stipulated that fees were taxed. I have to do a little math. But they may have done goofed again. Gotta check.

Nope. They're completely ok, even if there website didn't explain. You really should check out the FCC's explanation of your telephone bill.

 

[rh71]

Actually, the 3G alarm service is hands down the cheapest service. Take a look around, you can get that service for as cheap as 10/month.

yeah, $10 more a month on top of what you're paying for central station, which is what I said already. It also costs to install what I need for it.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

yeah, $10 more a month on top of what you're paying for central station, which is what I said already. It also costs to install what I need for it.

Incorrect.


http://smiththompson.com/

Smith Thompson is a very well known one. It says it on the very front of the page - no promotion, no contract, etc... $16.95/month. No contract. No phone line needed. Derp

That's just one example, when I was looking around I found one cheaper.