This year you can take a one time credit for the telephone excise tax refund. For more info go here: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=164032,00.html Individuals Taxpayers have a choice: a standard refund amount between $30 and $60, based on the total number of exemptions claimed on their 2006 tax return, to eliminate the need to locate old phone bills; or they can locate those bills and use the actual amount. Choosing the standard refund amount? You’ll find an extra line on your tax returns for the refund. Find those old phone bills? You can figure the refund using the actual amount of tax paid. Fill out Form 8913, Credit for Federal Telephone Excise Tax Paid, and attach it to your return. Don't need to file a return? You can still request the refund. Use the new Form 1040EZ-T, Request for Refund of Federal Telephone Excise Tax, to choose the standard amount. Attach Form 8913 to Form 1040EZ-T if you use the actual amount. Filing Schedule C, E or F? You may be eligible to use the special formula for businesses if you have more than $25,000 in gross receipts.
From the Q and A from the accessible from the posted link: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161506,00.html What is a refund eligible bundled service? Bundled service is local and long distance service provided under a single plan that does not state the charge for the local telephone service separately from other services. Bundled service plans include, for example, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, and landline and wireless (cellular) service plans that provide both local and long distance service for either a flat monthly fee or a charge that varies only with the elapsed transmission time for which the service is used. Telecommunications companies provide bundled service for both landlines and wireless (cellular) service. If VoIP service provides both local and long distance service and the charges are not separately stated, such service is bundled service. The method of sending or receiving a call, such as on a landline telephone, wireless (cellular), or some other method, does not affect whether a service is local-only or bundled.
I think this is one of those Ma Bell/Uncle Sam screw-ups dating back decades. I love how they say it's a 1 time thing. I think everyone should look into this, because we are all entitled to the money we shouldn't have paid to begin with. If this is something else, my apologies.
Sounds like it is something different. Wasn't there some other outstanding federal case, involving Bell?
I will be getting TT the next couple of days...I think I have all my stuff...I usually have to pay, so I'm in no hurry, but my bro and parents don't... I itemized the Sales Tax last year, but I had a lot of big ticket items...Not sure I'll do the same this year...
so if i've never had long distance service, and my cell phone plan is on a family plan that i pay somebody else for.... should i still claim this, and get $30? $30 isn't worth the hassle of the irs knocking at my door.
They won't bust anyone on this. I think it's one of those legal things they just want to put behind them.
i'm going to sound like a dumbass, but what am i looking for on my phone bill? I see: Minutes Used. MSG/KB Montly Service Usage Charges Credits/Adjustments & Other Charges Government Fees and Taxes Non Comm Related charges.
