Federal, State, and Local Surcharges

Many plans we offer are tax-inclusive and include recurring monthly taxes, surcharges, and fees in the advertised service plan price.  For plans that have taxes, surcharges, and fees charged in addition to the advertised service plan price (sometimes identified as “Tax Exclusive” or “TE” plans), one category of additional fees you may see on your monthly bill is federal, state, and local surcharges. 

These surcharges are government fees on the delivery and sale of telecommunication services in your area. T-Mobile may charge monthly surcharges on some plans to recover the cost of these charges.

Surcharges may vary based on the plan you choose and where you live, due to the types and amounts of fees your state or local governments may charge.  The chart below provides an estimate of what the surcharges may look like on your bill if you select a Tax Exclusive plan.  It is important to note that these fees are periodically updated by federal, state, and local governments.  

For many customers, the only surcharge they will see is the “Federal Universal Fund Assessment (FUSF).” This surcharge subsidizes telecommunications services in rural and high-cost areas, services for low-income customers, and services for schools, libraries, and rural health care providers.  This charge applies as a percentage of the cost of your voice service and may be updated quarterly based on the rates established by the Federal Communications Commission.  

You may also pay additional state and local surcharges based on fees set by the government(s) in your area, such as charges for 911, excise taxes, and State USF program charges.  For customers in those states, the chart identifies what surcharges may be due in the locality with the state’s highest surcharge rate(s).  These may vary by city and zip code, and your local government may charge lower fees than the charge that is listed.

For additional information on your bill and what’s impacting it, please visit our support page.