Bush Admin Pushing for New Tax? - VOIP

grahamhgreen

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Mon Jun-05-06 10:43 AM
Original message

Bush Admin Pushing for New Tax? - VOIP

I don't know if this has been covered, but, this VOIP tax is a new Federal tax.

"If the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has its way, businesses and consumers alike will be paying more for their Voice over IP (VoIP) calling services. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has submitted a proposal that would require VoIP service providers, including Skype, Vonage, and others, to pay into the Universal Service Fund (USF)."

<http://www.sci-tech-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=00200081EJF8>

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wtmusic

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Mon Jun-05-06 10:46 AM
Response to Original message

1. "Universal Service Fund"...what a joke

the telecoms are at it again.

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flamin lib

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Mon Jun-05-06 10:51 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. The USF is a fund that helps defray the cost of internet service

to schools and other non profits. It's a good thing. How do I know? Joe Barton wants to kill it . . .

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napi21

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Mon Jun-05-06 11:02 AM
Response to Reply #2

4. Sorry! I say it's BS!

This is from the USF web site!
http://www.universalservice.org/fund-administration/contributors/who-must-contribute/

Information on how Universal Service Fund obligations are calculated, who is exempt from paying into the fund, and how revenue filings can cause adjustments to USAC invoices.

All telecommunications carriers that provide service internationally and between states pay contributions into the fund. These carriers are required to submit revenue data to USAC using Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet (Form 499). USAC makes payments from this central fund to support the High Cost, Low Income, Rural Health Care, and Schools and Libraries programs.

Consumers may notice a "Universal Service" line item on their telephone bills. This occurs when a telephone company chooses to recover its contributions directly from its customers through a line-item charge on telephone bills. The FCC does not require this. Each company makes a business decision about whether to directly assess its customers to recover its Universal Service Fund costs.

This fund is mandatory for the Telcom COMPANIES. They sure don't HVE TO pass it along to the consumer!!!!!

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wtmusic

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Mon Jun-05-06 11:06 AM
Response to Reply #2

5. Maybe so

were the reasons for this tax based on altruism. Real reason for the tax: VOIP threatens to turn the telecom profit structure upside down. What's next? The NAPSTERs of VOIP. Completely unregulated voice-over-internet with no copyright restrictions on which the FCC can hang their hat.

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napi21

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Mon Jun-05-06 10:51 AM
Response to Original message

3. Stick it, Shrub...Damn it!!!!

Edited on Mon Jun-05-06 10:52 AM by napi21

This really pi**es me off! The one bill I pay every month that bothers me the most is the damn phone bill! Not because of the cost of the phone, but BECAUSE OF ALL THE ADD ON CHARGES!!!!!

How did I know these AH's would soon get around to taxing the VOIP too!

What happened to the NO NEW TAXES PROMISE, 'eh Shrub??????

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