ANSWERED: Understanding taxes, fees and other charges on your Comcast bill

We're committed to delivering the entertainment and services you rely on today and the new experiences you'll love down the road.

From time to time, we may adjust service prices and fees. These increases help us consistently improve our network, products and services, as well as cover the rising costs to our business.

You may not realize that we pay programmers like Fox, ESPN, HBO and others to be able to bring you their programming. Programming fees – what we pay to programmers – are one of our largest costs and increase regularly. Changes to the fees we charge ensure your access to top networks and the latest entertainment.

We're sharing this information to be more transparent about what drives changes in your bill. Below is a list of common taxes, fees and other charges, along with their explanations.

Note: Some fees imposed by state and/or local governments may not be refundable, even if a device is returned or refunded, based on the taxing authority’s regulations.

Other Charges

BROADCAST TV FEE

The Broadcast TV Fee is an itemized charge that you'll see on your bill. This charge is not a government-mandated fee and will increase from time to time. It is based on our costs of providing the local broadcast stations that we carry on our cable systems in each area. These costs include the fees that the broadcast stations charge us to carry them on our cable systems, which are among the fastest growing components of our programming costs. The Broadcast TV Fee is not included as a part of our promotional pricing or pricing under your minimum-term agreement and can increase during your promotion or minimum-term. You'll receive advance notice before an increase takes effect.

FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND (FUSF)

This charge is imposed by Comcast to recover its contribution to the FUSF, which is a federal fund that ensures the availability of affordable communications services to low-income and rural customers (as well as eligible schools, libraries and health care providers). It is neither government-mandated nor a tax. The Federal Communications Commission modifies the contribution rate on a quarterly basis; the rate is published at https://www.fcc.gov/general/contribution-factor-quarterly-filings-universal-service-fund-usf-management-support.

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC PURPOSE FUND

Effective April 1, 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission implemented a new line-based surcharge for all telephone providers to fund the state’s public purpose programs, such as the Deaf & Disabled Telecommunication Program (DDTP). For more information, visithttps://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/telecommunications-surcharges-and-user-fees.

FRANCHISE FEE

Franchise fees are paid to local governments as compensation for Comcast's use of the public rights-of-way and easements. The Federal Cable Act authorizes cable operators to collect from customers the full amount of franchise fees paid to local governments.

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Third-party companies that bill through your monthly Xfinity bill, such as Netflix, may increase their pricing from time to time. Each third-party company is responsible for notifying you of any price changes. Their adjusted pricing will be reflected on your monthly bill.

REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK FEE

The Regional Sports Network Fee is an itemized charge that you'll see on your bill. This charge is not a government-mandated fee and will increase from time to time. It's based on our costs of providing the regional sports networks that we carry on our cable systems in each area. These costs include the fees that regional sports networks charge us to carry them on our cable systems, which are among the fastest growing components of our programming costs. The Regional Sports Network Fee is not included as part of our promotional pricing or pricing under your minimum-term agreement and can increase during your promotion or minimum-term. You'll receive advance notice before an increase takes effect.

REGULATORY COST RECOVERY

This fee is assessed by Comcast to recover certain federal, state, and/or local regulatory costs related to voice and video service. It is neither government-mandated nor a tax.

RENTAL FEE

If you rent your TV Box, modem or voice equipment from Xfinity, you may see a separate line item on your monthly bill. Your equipment rental fee could be included in your service charge or be provided as part of a promotion, in which case you may not see a separate charge for that equipment. However, depending on your package, we may charge separately for the equipment. If you are receiving equipment under a promotion, you will be charged the rental fee for that equipment when your promotion ends. This rental fee may change from time to time, and you will receive advance notice before an increase takes effect.

STATE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND

This charge recovers Comcast’s contribution to your state’s Universal Service Fund, which is a state fund that ensures the availability of affordable communications services to certain types of customers. It is neither government-mandated nor a tax.

Taxes & Government Fees

911 FEE

This fee helps states and localities fund their 911 and E911 systems, along with other emergency services. The amount of this fee varies by state, and in some states, the fee may vary by locality.

988 FEE

In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission designated 988 as the 3-digit dialing number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Some states have implemented a 988 fee to fund crisis call centers and other services used to respond to 988 calls and text messages. The amount of this fee varies by state.

ATHLETIC FEE

This tax is imposed on charges for certain types of video content, such as live pay per view sports.

FEDERAL EXCISE TAX

The federal government requires this tax on some types of voice services.

LOCAL UTILITY USER TAX

Some local governments impose this tax on users of certain communications and/or video services.

PUBLIC, EDUC & GOVT FEE

Public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channel fees are assessed by cable franchising authorities for costs associated with those local channels.

STATE AND LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TAXES

These state or local taxes are imposed on communications services such as voice, data, audio or TV services.

GROSS RECEIPTS TAX

This tax is imposed by state and local governments on Comcast's gross revenues. We assess these taxes to recover the costs of certain state and local taxes that we're charged. These taxes vary by state and in some states, the tax may vary by locality. The fee we charge you is not government-mandated, but these costs are outside our control and so are passed through to our customers. This fee may change from time to time.

SALES TAX

Sales tax varies by state, and in some states, it may vary by locality.

STATE EXCISE TAX

Some state governments impose this tax on video or voice services.

State or Local Fees on Purchases

COLORADO RETAIL DELIVERY FEE

The Colorado Retail Delivery Fee is a one-time surcharge that Comcast and other retail companies that offer delivery are required to remit to the Colorado Department of Revenue. For more information, see the Colorado Department of Revenue’s website at tax.colorado.gov/retail-delivery-fee.