Taxes and Fees

A special note regarding phone taxes: Government agencies have found phone bills to be an effective way to assess and collect taxes because most people receive one. Those taxes may subsidize various services at the federal, state and local levels (e.g., emergency services, telecommunications services for schools, libraries, health care facilities, etc.). Charter and other companies offering phone service collect the required taxes as part of the total phone bill and send the appropriate amounts back to the taxing agency.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Fee

This is a fee that Charter must pay to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to cover the cost of the FCC’s regulation of Nex Gen Telecom services.

Federal Universal Service Fund (USF) Fee

The FCC created the USF. This fee helps to make phone service affordable and available to all Americans, including consumers with low incomes, those living in areas where the costs of providing telephone service is high, public and non-profit schools and libraries serving low income communities, and rural health care providers. Congress mandated that all telephone companies providing interstate service contribute to the Universal Service Fund. A carrier may choose to include this contribution on their customer’s monthly telephone bill.

Line Access

Monthly charge per-line to cover part of the company cost to provide the local network that supports customer’s ability to make and receive interstate and international calls.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Public Service Commission (PSC) or Utility Gross Receipts Fee

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or Public Service Commission (PSC) is a state regulatory agency whose responsibilities include oversight of the telecommunications industry for their area. This fee supports the operations of the PUC or PSC. It is assessed upon Charter and passed through to Nex Gen Telecom customers on a pro rata basis.

Regulatory Cost Fee

This fee recovers federal government charges to support the FCC’s operations and charges to support the telephone number system and telephone number portability.

Returned Check Fee

A returned check fee is assessed when a payment made to Nex Gen Telecom and wasn’t honored by the financial institution on which the instrument was drawn. Returned check fees may be assessed on checks, electronic funds transactions or debit and credit cards.

A returned check fee of up to $25 will be assessed for any returned payment. Additional charges may apply if further collection activity is required.

Account Reactivation Fee

An account reactivation fee is assessed when an account is suspended for late payment.  This fee is usually $49.95

State Regulatory Fee

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or Public Service Commission (PSC) is a state regulatory agency whose responsibilities include oversight of the telecommunications industry for their area. This fee supports the operations of the PUC or PSC. It’s assessed upon Charter and passed through to Nex Gen Telecom customers on a pro rata basis.

State Telecommunications Relay Service Charge

This charge provides for a telecommunications relay service, providing full telephone accessibility to people who are hearing impaired or speech disabled. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some states require that all telecommunications providers operating within their borders contribute to the funding of this program. Whether this charge is recovered directly from customers or paid by the telecommunications provider varies from state to state.

State Universal Service Fund

As with the Federal Universal Service Fund, this fee is used to subsidize and ensure affordable local telephone service to certain telephone customers within the state of the consumer. Not all states charge this fee.

Taxes

County Sales Tax

The county imposes this sales tax. It’s the same sales tax charged on ordinary consumer items. The percentage of tax charged varies from county to county and depends on the county in which the customer lives.

Federal Excise Tax (FET)

Federal tax assessed on basic local service that’s billed separately from long distance service.

Gross Receipts Tax

A gross receipts tax is similar to a sales tax, but it’s levied on the goods or services sold and in some cases, passed on to the consumer. This tax is only applicable in certain communities.

Local Sales Tax

This sales tax is imposed by the local jurisdiction, such as a city. It’s the same sales tax charged on ordinary consumer items. The percentage of tax charged varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and depends on the jurisdiction in which the customer lives.

State Sales Tax

The state government imposes this sales tax. It’s the same sales tax charged on ordinary consumer items. The percentage of tax charged varies by state and depends on the state in which the customer lives.

Additional Messages

Complaint Procedures: If you disagree with your charges, you have 30 days from the billing date to register a complaint. During the dispute period, we won’t terminate service provided you pay the undisputed portion of your bill.

Tax and Fees: This statement reflects the current taxes and fees for your area (including sales, excise, user taxes, etc.). These taxes and fees may change without notice. Visit Terms of Service   for more information.

Terms & Conditions: Charter’s detailed standard terms and conditions for service are located at Terms of Service  .

Timely Payment: If your payment isn’t received by the next billing statement, your account is subject to interruption of service. Nex Gen Telecom equipment may be rendered non-functional prior to termination. You may be subject to a change of service charge to reinstate your digital channels and Internet service when function is restored.