I was watching the news and they said that the federal excise tax (3%) charged to your monthly cellphone statement is illegal. Three federal courts found the tax illegal because it was used to fund THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR. This may sound crazy but it is true. You can go to http://www.mywireless.org/ to protest this tax and they have links on how you can get your money back for the last three years of service. Considering that the average american spends about $600 or more a year, the IRS could owe you over $100.
Here is the link for the refund form. Read the article and contact your congressman.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8849.pdf
A recent USA Today news article (“Cellphone rulings could mean billions in tax refunds”, December 13, 2005) explained that the IRS is continuing to collect a 3% Federal Excise Tax from wireless users, despite the fact that nine federal courts have ruled the tax unlawful. Tell Congress to repeal this outdated and excessive tax!
Why Are We Paying A 107 Year Old Tax ?!
This tax, imposed by President William McKinley in 1898 to help fund the Spanish American War, was originally a luxury tax, at a time when only wealthy Americans had phones. The war lasted only four months, but the “Tax on Talk” is still around more than 100 years later. Today, every person who makes a phone call pays 3% on every monthly phone bill for this outdated tax. Unlike other excise taxes, the money raised through the Tax on Talk is not “earmarked” for a specific purpose—not even to improve service or support for the telecom services that are being singled out for the tax! In fact, the Tax on Talk makes access to wireless (and other telecom) services less affordable for many Americans.
Repealing the Tax on Talk: Things Are Moving!
Your wireless companies are working to end this tax and simplify the refund process. U.S. Representative Gary Miller has a proposal, H.R. 1898, and Senator Rick Santorum has introduced a bill, S. 1321, both of which will repeal the Federal Excise Tax! Wireless companies and many others are supporting these bills, but we need your help! Elected officials need to hear from consumers like you that wireless services shouldn’t be subject to a 100- year-old luxury tax!! Urge your Representatives and Senators to support H.R. 1898 and S. 1321 to repeal the Tax on Talk today!
Wireless companies have also asked the IRS to simplify the refund process for consumers. In fact, just two months ago, wireless carriers and the wireless trade association CTIA sent a letter to Secretary Snow at the U.S. Department of Treasury, requesting a simple plan for providing refunds to consumers.
Currently, wireless consumers may seek a refund for up to 36 months of past taxes. However, one refund claim form, available on the IRS web site, is required for each calendar quarter (up to 3 months) of bills. The process is lengthy and confusing, not to mention time-consuming. Consumers should not have to file mounds of paperwork to receive the refunds they are due!
Contact Your Members of Congress today and ask them to repeal the Federal Excise Tax. If you have questions regarding the refund claim form, or to urge the IRS to simplify the refund process, call 800-829-1040 or visit www.IRS.gov.
Here is the link for the refund form. Read the article and contact your congressman.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8849.pdf
A recent USA Today news article (“Cellphone rulings could mean billions in tax refunds”, December 13, 2005) explained that the IRS is continuing to collect a 3% Federal Excise Tax from wireless users, despite the fact that nine federal courts have ruled the tax unlawful. Tell Congress to repeal this outdated and excessive tax!
Why Are We Paying A 107 Year Old Tax ?!
This tax, imposed by President William McKinley in 1898 to help fund the Spanish American War, was originally a luxury tax, at a time when only wealthy Americans had phones. The war lasted only four months, but the “Tax on Talk” is still around more than 100 years later. Today, every person who makes a phone call pays 3% on every monthly phone bill for this outdated tax. Unlike other excise taxes, the money raised through the Tax on Talk is not “earmarked” for a specific purpose—not even to improve service or support for the telecom services that are being singled out for the tax! In fact, the Tax on Talk makes access to wireless (and other telecom) services less affordable for many Americans.
Repealing the Tax on Talk: Things Are Moving!
Your wireless companies are working to end this tax and simplify the refund process. U.S. Representative Gary Miller has a proposal, H.R. 1898, and Senator Rick Santorum has introduced a bill, S. 1321, both of which will repeal the Federal Excise Tax! Wireless companies and many others are supporting these bills, but we need your help! Elected officials need to hear from consumers like you that wireless services shouldn’t be subject to a 100- year-old luxury tax!! Urge your Representatives and Senators to support H.R. 1898 and S. 1321 to repeal the Tax on Talk today!
Wireless companies have also asked the IRS to simplify the refund process for consumers. In fact, just two months ago, wireless carriers and the wireless trade association CTIA sent a letter to Secretary Snow at the U.S. Department of Treasury, requesting a simple plan for providing refunds to consumers.
Currently, wireless consumers may seek a refund for up to 36 months of past taxes. However, one refund claim form, available on the IRS web site, is required for each calendar quarter (up to 3 months) of bills. The process is lengthy and confusing, not to mention time-consuming. Consumers should not have to file mounds of paperwork to receive the refunds they are due!
Contact Your Members of Congress today and ask them to repeal the Federal Excise Tax. If you have questions regarding the refund claim form, or to urge the IRS to simplify the refund process, call 800-829-1040 or visit www.IRS.gov.
