Federal Excise Tax: The Federal (U.S. Government) Excise Tax is a tax imposed directly on the customer by the Federal Government for certain communications services. Congress determines the tax rate and the services to which it applies. The Federal Excise Tax is intended to tax services that allow the customer the ability to communicate with virtually all subscribers of the telecommunications network.

Federal Universal Service Fund: The Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) supports consumers living in high-cost areas, low-income households, schools, libraries and rural healthcare provider. Each telecommunication company may implement the Federal USF differently.

Federal Charge – Service Provider Number Portability: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires that the local exchange carrier provide number portability in accordance with requirements prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In the FCC Docket 95-116, RM 8535, In the Matter of Telephone Number Portability, the regulatory decision was to allow the local exchange carriers to recover a portion of the costs.

State or County Tax – State, County and "Program" Cities: A transaction Privilege Tax (commonly known as sales tax) is imposed upon the sale, lease or rental of products and services defined as taxable by the state. The State collects the majority of all sales taxes, including taxes on behalf of counties and some cities (called "program cities"). The rates for counties and "program cities" vary, but the taxable base is the same as the state.

However, there are numerous "self-collected" cities that require separate licensing and directly collect their own portion of the sales tax on all sales made within their jurisdiction.

State Universal Service Fund: Federal law requires State Universal Fund mechanisms in all states. The fees collected are remitted to the Public Utility Commission (PUC). They are used to subsidize smaller Local Exchange Companies in an effort to keep their basic exchange rates affordable to their customers. Each state is allowed flexibility in how they want these fees/funds administered and monies collected.

Corporation Commission Fee: The Corporation Commission levies upon public service companies an assessment which funds the commission in its regulatory capacity. The commission performs lawful duties relating to the classifications and rate regulations to be used in telecommunications services.

Tariffs allow Qwest to pass this assessment on to our customers in the form of a surcharge. This assessment is separately stated on the bill. It is combined with the state sales tax and is shown as one entry.

Telecom Services Excise Tax: The Telecom Services Excise Tax funds a statewide program to provide telecommunication services to residents who have communications disabilities, i.e., hearing or speech. Fund remitted to the State Commission and used to establish and administer a statewide Telephone Dual Relay System that will permit full and simultaneous communication between communications disabled persons and persons with conventional telephone equipment.

This surcharge is mandated by state legislatures to make telephone service as accessible to communications persons as it is for persons without such disabilities. Since it is governed by the state legislature, it applies to customers physically located in the state.

Each year the commission holds a public hearing to determine the amount of surcharge necessary for the coming year. Rates may change as decided by the commissions(s).