Taxes, Surcharges, and Fees
Telecommunications services are subject to a variety of federal, state, and local taxes, surcharges, and regulatory fees. These charges are mandated by law or regulation and are not set or retained by Synergy Fiber. We collect and remit them directly to the appropriate governmental authorities.
In addition, Synergy Fiber may assess cost-recovery fees to offset compliance and operational expenses. These are not government-imposed taxes, but they help us recover the costs of providing and maintaining high-quality service.
Below is a general description of common charges that may appear on your bill. The specific charges applicable to your account may vary depending on your service location and the services you subscribe to.
Federal Taxes and Fees
- Federal Excise Tax – A federal tax applied to certain telecommunications services.
- Federal Universal Service Fund (USF) Fee – A surcharge required by the FCC to support universal access to telecom services nationwide, including schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities.
- FCC Regulatory Fee – A charge to recover costs of federal telecommunications regulation.
State and Local Taxes and Fees
- State and Local Sales Taxes – General sales taxes imposed by states, counties, or municipalities.
- State Universal Service Fund (State USF) – Similar to the federal USF, supporting universal service programs within a state.
- Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fees – Funds services for individuals with hearing or speech disabilities.
- 911 / E911 Fees – Supports emergency telephone systems; may apply per line or device.
- Gross Receipts, Utility, or Telecommunications Taxes – Industry-specific taxes imposed in some jurisdictions.
- Communications Services Tax (where applicable) – State or municipal tax on telecommunications services.
- Transit or Property Surcharges (where applicable) – Local charges applied by certain municipalities or counties.
Company-Imposed Cost Recovery Fees
- Regulatory Recovery Fee – Helps offset the cost of compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Administrative / Cost Recovery Fee – Covers expenses related to billing, account management, and network operations.
- Management Service Fee – Assessed to recover costs of managing service delivery and customer support infrastructure.
Important Notes
- Taxes, surcharges, and fees may change at any time due to changes in law, regulation, or third-party assessments.
- Not all charges listed apply to every customer or service location.
- These charges are in addition to the monthly recurring charges for your selected services.
- For specific questions about your invoice, please contact our Accounting team at accounting@synergybroadband.com.