Earthlink DSL → Re: EarthLink Electronic Support Response

said by haize4:

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said by Zoder:

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Scott the FAQ on the EL support site says those 7 states only apply for tax on the dial-up service but the DSL FAQ still lists every state. Can you get a clarification from the tax department and have them update the FAQ if applicable? Thanks.

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I apologize everyone, this was my error. Dr. Olds is correct; there are two different taxes. The first DSL tax is being implemented for all subscribers, and there is a second tax for USF thats being applied in the 7 states already mentioned.

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Scott, I think you have it backwards. It is the USF tax that is being applied to all the states and the DSL tax that is only being applied to the seven states mentioned above.

said by skj:

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Scott, I think you have it backwards.

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Fixed (for the second time). Thanks.

hrm.
i still can't get strait answer from anybody at ELN about this bloody tax.
if USF is a federal tax of 2.073%, how come some states pay only $0.66 on $49.95?!
and how come i'm(and everybody else) being charged this tax if i already paying it to Verizon?!

this is so freakin frustraiting. email support just gives me form reply directing to that page. livechat does pretty much same thing.

said by MxxCon:

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if USF is a federal tax of 2.073%, how come some states pay only $0.66 on $49.95?!
and how come i'm(and everybody else) being charged this tax if i already paying it to Verizon?!

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The reason why the tax is higher than $0.66 in a number of states is because you are also being charged any applicable state charges. For example Florida charges a Communications Tax on all communication services. Local phone, Long Distance, Cable TV, satellite, Cell phones, etc... The only thing exempt here from the tax are Information Services which are then defined in the statute. DSL appears to fall under the Communications service catagory because it's on the phone line.

Interestingly though since the FCC says that Cable Internet is an Information service it is exempt from the taxes while DSL isn't even though they both provide the same basic service. Highspeed access to the internet.

This is a response from EarthLink Electronic Support.

I think they are working on that.

»news.com.com/2010-1071-1 ··· 229.html

I expect ( no information, but going by what I read here and by EarthLink adding taxes to services we are charged) there to be a tax soon on Cable internet.

I agree with voicing concerns. But I would voice my concern to where the charges originate from. FCC, seems the place they start.

Please respond to this post to let us know if your issue is resolved. If you have any further problems, questions, or concerns please feel free to contact us via the live chat link below.

Zoder, yes, however 2.073% on $49.95 is $1.04(rounded up)
why those states pay only $0.66 which is 1.321%

Because the USF rate of 2.073% is only going to be applied to the DSL part of the invoice not the entire $49.95 bill. Starting with the July invoices they are going to start line iteming the charges.

»support.earthlink.net/mu ··· psc.html this page says

Amounts are based on a monthly charge of $49.95 for DSL service.

said by MxxCon:

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»support.earthlink.net/mu ··· psc.html this page says

Amounts are based on a monthly charge of $49.95 for DSL service.

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Just clarifying what you're saying:

For the sake of examples... When you get your bill, the 2.073% or 0.87% or 15% will still be applied against your actual monthly rate, not $49.95. If you're on a special rate of $29.95, multiply the % against 29.95.