Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Report Tracks Tax Hikes on Wireless Consumers in 2019

In a report published by the Tax Foundation in late November, Scott Mackey and Ulrick Boesen provide an abundance of data on wireless taxes as well as government surcharges and fees imposed on wireless consumers. Their report, "Wireless Taxes and Fees Jump Sharply In 2019," tracks the overgrowth of wireless taxes over time and also compares overall tax bills faced by consumers in different states. As a general matter, states should not tax consumers of wireless services at rates higher than their general sales tax rates. Unfortunately,  the problem of over-taxation of wireless consumers appears to be growing. Consider this key report finding: 
Since 2008, average monthly wireless service bills per subscriber have dropped from just under $50 per line per month to $37.85 per month–a 24 percent reduction. However, wireless taxes have increased from 15.1 percent to 21.7 percent of the average bill–a 44 percent increase.