Phone Tax Rebate

The IRS has released information on how it will handle the rebates of telephone excise taxes it agreed to pay earlier in the year. In IR 2006-137, announces that individuals can use a standard amount instead of wading through all their old phone bills. The rebate will then be claimed as part of filing their 2006 tax return. (If a taxpayer is not required to file a federal return, the rebate can be claimed on a special form 1040EZ-T.)
The standard amounts are based on the total number of exemptions claimed on the 2006 federal income tax return. The standard amounts are $30 for a person filing a return with one exemption, $40 for two exemptions, $50 for three exemptions and $60 for four or more exemptions. For example, a married couple filing a joint return with two dependent children (for a total of four exemptions) will be eligible for the maximum standard amount of $60.
At this time, businesses and non-profited can not use a standard rebate but the IRS is still working with these groups to simplify the excise tax claim process.

Comments

[TERRY L GEE]

WHAT IF A PERSON HAD TWO PHONE LINES IN THE HOUSE HOLD? WOULD YOU QUALIFY FOR TWO REBATES?

[trishmc]

You would have to dig out your phone bills for the time period (March 2003 to July 2006) and fill out Form 8913 to use any thing but the standard amounts.

[kim smith]

What if you only had a phone from September 2006 thru December 2006?

[Trish]

No rebate since the federal excise tax was no longer being charged.

[N. Canepa]

Which tax exactly is this? There are so many Federal Taxes on my AT&T bill.

Fed Univ Service Tax
Fed Subscriber Line Charge
Fed Tax
Fed Universal Fund
Fed Regulatory Fee
Fed Excise Tax

Thanks for the help

[Tina]

Does this count for cell phone plans as well as home phone lines?

[Tina]

Does this count for cell phone plans as well as home phone lines?

[DREW]

I have been trying to determine if we are eligible for the phone tax rebate. My wife says no, but I am uncertain. Is it correct that the excise tax only applied to long distance minutes used on a land line? Or was the excise tax applied to cellular phones and long distance calling cards as well?
We have always had a land line, though I don't believe we have ever paid for a long distance plan on it. There are a few long distance minutes tied to our land line provided by our cell phone serves for free. We have cell phones which we use for most of our long distance calls. And we also purchase and use MCI long distance phone cards which are purchase at our local Costco store.
Are we eligible?

Thank you,
Drew

[DREW]

I am not sure if this posted the first time. If it did I am soory for the re-post.

I have been trying to determine if we are eligible for the phone tax rebate. My wife says no, but I am uncertain. Is it correct that the excise tax only applied to long distance minutes used on a land line? Or was the excise tax applied to cellular phones and long distance calling cards as well?
We have always had a land line, though I don't believe we have ever paid for a long distance plan on it. There are a few long distance minutes tied to our land line provided by our cell phone serves for free. We have cell phones which we use for most of our long distance calls. And we also purchase and use MCI long distance phone cards which are purchase at our local Costco store.
Are we eligible?

Thank you,
Drew

[how do i check status of rebate refund?]

I need to check the status of my refund. this is the best way. I think this refund is a good thing.

[how do i check status of rebate refund?]

I need to check the status of my refund. this is the best way. I think this refund is a good thing.

[Alex]

Please can You tell me what are the tax exemption on the telephone bills applicable to co.s , corporations,Gov.bodies ect and where to see the relevant forms to claim these refunds.