Have you ever moved to another state and kept the same mobile provider?

[ducatiz]

Then you better check your tax rate!

I moved from NYC to the DC area and I've been shopping phone plans.

Got a quote from another provider and thought it was too good to be true -- then noticed the tax amount was MUCH lower than I expected.

Looked at my current bill, did some digging and found the state/local tax rate for NYC is over 16% but where I am now is just over 7%

I called up Tmobile and sure enough, they were still charging me for NYC's taxes!  AFTER 3.5 years!!

After much pregnant doging and going up the totem pole, I am getting an estimated refund for the last 3.5 years.   It works out to about $500

If you moved and kept your phone service, better check (unless you moved from a low-tax state to a high one!)

[He Man]

I did not know that, i thought you had to pay the tax for the area code your fone number is located in.

[IZ]

I have an Austin, TX number and been living in PHX for over a year.  I'll have to check as well.  Thanks for heads up.

[ducatiz]

I did not know that, i thought you had to pay the tax for the area code your fone number is located in.

The law says they have to charge you the tax for your location of residence.

Some providers have been defaulting on this and using the area code, but with LPN that is irrelevant.  They are supposed to go by your address on the account.

I have an Austin, TX number and been living in PHX for over a year.  I'll have to check as well.  Thanks for heads up.

Check to see what the taxes in both places are first!  You might not want the switch if they are using the old one!

[hbliam]

Check to see what the taxes in both places are first!  You might not want the switch if they are using the old one!

Yeah, you don't want to be honest unless it benefits you.   

[ducatiz]

Its a good point.  It is the provider's obligation to update the rate and they are in a better position to know than a customer.

there is no legal issue though, only a moral one of whether its ok to let them undercharge you the tax.  This would not qualify as a theft of services since you would be paying the bill they've sent you.. 

it is a moral issue though..

[akmnstr]

Thanks for the tip.  I moved 1.5 years ago and never checked. 

[Veloce-Fino]

You're getting the cell company to pay YOU!! That's almost too good to be true.

Same thing happened to me with comcast cable.

I moved my service across the state to a "low rate" zone and they didn't notify me. Was paying almost $25/month more for service.

I however, received no refund 

[derby]

I however, received no refund 

if you'd gone to law school and used your lawyer words when you called them it might've turned out differently. 

[Veloce-Fino]

if you'd gone to law school and used your lawyer words when you called them it might've turned out differently. 

I'm a finance guy, not a law guy. I'll leave the law to the lawyers and the tax accountants. 

Plus I dislike lawyers. You don't know any do you? 

[cokey]

What's the tax rate in Austin?  Hopefully its lower then nyc...

[ducatiz]

What's the tax rate in Austin?  Hopefully its lower then nyc...

check this

http://www.forbes.com/static_html/misc/wirelesstaxes.shtml

[cokey]

Not working

[ducatiz]

Not working

works fine for me, try again.

[Punx Clever]

Them nevada guys seem to have it right!