Tax refunds, yippee

Maybe, Rep. Gary G. Miller, R-Calif, is submitting a bill April 27.

First let me “school” you a little. Back in 1898 the government needed a little help paying for the war (yes even back then the government was finding creative was to obtain money.), and the solution was an excise tax on long distance telephone calls. Three percent to be exact, and it has been that since 1898. This tax has been collected for One hundred and eight years. I think it is safe to say that particular war is paid for. Here is where we get tax dollars back. Somewhere around 3 years ago, the phone companies started offering minutes in block plans, not based upon distance, as the prices had been calculated on up until the nineties. The tax is based upon distance, so when this changed, we have been unfairly taxed.

Now the government is going to refund the money, to the tune of 15 billion dollars over the span. How can the money be refunded without having our children pay? Here is the “plan” as I see it. Say you spend $100 a month on long distance fees. You would get $36 dollars back for that year, $108 for the last three years.

This will not benefit the average citizen as it would the big businesses, but it is a fair dismantling, jut not worth the hassle to get less than $30 bucks back for the 3-year span. I believe the average person will just let it go. As for businesses, they already have accountants that should be on top of this.

How to claim a refund of the telephone excise tax:
* Use IRS Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes.
* Include this information in Schedule 6 (Other Claims): The legal basis of the claim, noting that the distance charges don't apply.
* State what's paid each month in phone excise taxes.
* Include telephone bill copies or a note saying the bills are available upon request.
Source: Stephen D. Kirkland, accountant with Moore Kirkland & Beauston LLP in Columbia, S.C.