What do the taxes and fees I see on my bill mean?

This surcharge reflects the increased cost of programming charged to Spectrum Business by content providers (affiliates of networks such as CBS, NBC, Fox, etc.). Broadcast TV Surcharges must be disclosed to the government in the proposed pricing and shown in the subsequent federal contract/modification, to be binding. It should also be noted that the surcharges are subject to change

Jurisdiction: Federal

Amount: Flat fee per account per month (varies)

Application: Video

This is a fee that Charter must pay to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to cover the cost of the FCC’s regulation of Spectrum cable service.

Jurisdiction: Federal

Amount: Flat fee for TV service.

Application: Residential Video

This tax is made up of two components: a State tax, which is made up of state and gross receipts tax, and a Local tax, which varies based on the rate charged by each local taxing jurisdiction. Eligible tax-exempt customers will not be charged this tax, provided that the customer has submitted the proper tax exemption documentation. Specific tax rates can be reviewed through the State of Florida website or other markets' state website.

Jurisdiction: FL

Amount: Varies

Application: All cable and telecom services

A franchise fee is a fee collected by Charter on behalf of your local government and municipality. This fee is paid directly to the local government to use the public rights of way when providing cable service. According to federal law, cable operators may pass the entire amount of the franchise fee to their customers and itemize the fees on the customer’s monthly bills. Each year Spectrum reviews the franchise fees recovered from customers to ensure the franchise fees collected are correct. Refer to Franchise Fee Recoups and Refunds - Charter for more details.

Jurisdiction: Local

Amount: The fee is a percentage of the revenues received from providing cable services, generally 5% in most areas, but can be slightly higher in some areas. It varies based on where you live, the level of service you subscribe to, and how many PPV/VOD movies and events ordered in a given month.

Application: Video (military installations excluded)

The state of CT doles out franchises (groups of towns) for the whole state, and rather than having franchise fees paid to local towns, it applies a 5% gross earnings tax on all Cable services. Charter is viewed as a public utility and is regulated by the Department of Public Utility Control. The gross earnings tax is applied on the sales tax. The description that will show on bills and in ACSR (CSG) is REIMBURSEMENT GE.

Jurisdiction: CT

Amount: 5% gross earnings tax, applied to the sales tax

Application: Video

The B&O tax is a gross receipts tax imposed by a locality. It is measured on the value of products, gross proceeds of sale, or gross income of the business.

Jurisdiction: City

Amount: Varies

Application: All services

A tax that provides for the privilege of engaging in a business, trade, or occupation within a local municipality.

Jurisdiction: Local

Amount: Varies

Application: All services

A tax imposed on the users of the following utility services within a local municipality:

Intrastate, Interstate and/or International Telephone, Cellular or Wireless communication services;

Electrical Energy services;

Gas services delivered through mains, pipes, or mobile transport.

The rate of the tax and the use of its revenues are determined by the local agency. The tax is levied by the city, collected by the utility as a part of its regular billing procedure, and then remitted to the city.

Jurisdiction: Local

Amount: Varies

Application: All services

The “combined general rate” applies to the gross receipts derived from providing telecommunications service, ancillary service, and video programming. The state sales tax and franchise fees do not tax services covered by this fee.

Jurisdiction: NC

Amount: 7%

Application: Video and telecom services

This is a fee a local government entity may charge to support the provision of a local Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Channel run by the city to provide local programming. 

Charter Communications does not make money on these fees.

They are paid to the local franchising authority.

When a local government raises its franchise fee or Public Access Fee, the increased amount is reflected in the Franchise Fee line item on the customer's billing statement.

A customer can find the local franchise authority's contact information on their billing statement listed as Franchise Administrator. However, make sure all internal resources have been exhausted to resolve the customer's issue or concern.

Jurisdiction: NC

Amount: 7%

Application: Video

A tax imposed for the access of Regional Transit services, currently applicable in Northern IL only.

Jurisdiction: Northern IL

Amount: Varies

Application: All services

Charter devotes considerable resources to the development and implementation of measures designed to ensure that the connection between a Spectrum receiver (or any other authorized device) and the Spectrum network is secure and that subscribers receive through the connection all of the services they are lawfully authorized to receive.

Jurisdiction: Federal and State

Amount: Varies

Application: All services

This fee is collected to recover some of the cost of the local network facilities used to service the customer.

Jurisdiction: Federal

Amount: Flat fee per phone line per month (varies by year).

Business Class Phone - Single Line - $6.50

Business Class Phone - Multi-Line - $7.99 per line

Business Class Phone - PRI - $37.50 per PRI

Note: These rates apply in all markets.

Application: Telephone

This cost recovery fee is not a tax that Charter is required to collect from its customers by law, but is a charge made in order to recoup money paid by Charter for Texas state taxes imposed on it.

Jurisdiction: TX

Amount: varies

Application: All services