Understanding the surcharges, taxes, fees and other charges on your bill
In addition to the monthly service charges billed for Sprint's Services, surcharges, taxes, fees and other charges may be applied at the point of purchase or to your monthly invoice based on the type of wireless service you have, your device purchase method, and your geographical location. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Administrative Charge
The Administrative Charge helps defray costs and charges imposed on us by other carriers for delivery of calls from our customers to theirs and for certain network facilities (e.g. leases), operations, and services we obtain to provide you service.
Regulatory Charge
The Administrative Charge helps defray costs and charges imposed on us by other carriers for delivery of calls from our customers to theirs and for certain network facilities (e.g. leases), operations, and services we obtain to provide you service.
The Regulatory & Administrative Charges appear in the Surcharges section of your bill. The costs associated with the Administrative and Regulatory Charges can change over time. These costs are consistent with similar charges that our competitors place on their bills to help defray similar costs across the industry.
Gross Receipts Recovery
Some states, counties, and cities impose gross receipts taxes and excise taxes on telecommunications providers, which may cover wireless communications services, sales and rentals of wireless devices, and other services Sprint provides. Sprint may choose to recover the costs associated with these gross receipts taxes by charging customers a monthly recovery fee on each line of service. Gross Receipts Fees appear as a separate line item in the surcharges or Surcharges and Fees section of your invoice. These charges are not taxes and are not an amount we are required to collect from you by law.
State & Local Taxes
States, counties, cities, and special taxing districts may assess various taxes on wireless communication services, sales and rentals of wireless phones, and other services Sprint provides. Applicable taxes are collected by Sprint and remitted to the jurisdiction that is assessing the tax.
State & Local Required 911 Charges
Some states and localities require wireless carriers to collect a fee for 911 funds. These fees vary by state and locality. Applicable taxes are collected by Sprint and remitted to the jurisdiction that is assessing the tax.
Federal & State Universal Service Fund Assessment
Federal: All interstate telecommunications service providers are required to contribute to the Federal Universal Service Fund (USF). The Federal USF subsidizes telecommunications services in rural and high-cost areas, services for low-income consumers, and services for schools, libraries, and rural health care providers. Sprint charges a monthly fee per line to recover the cost of these contributions and may include other charges also related to this governmental program. There are different assessment rates applicable to long distance and international charges, and to non-long distance charges, creating two line items on the invoice. This charge is not a tax or a government-imposed fee. The rate of this monthly charge can vary quarterly based on the USF contribution factor established by the Federal Communications Commission. As of July 1, 2020, the Federal USF contribution rate is 26.5%.
State: Telecommunication service providers may also be required to contribute to a State Universal Service Fund (USF). The funds collected may be used to assist in providing universal service and to a variety of other programs at the state level. This charge is not a tax or government-imposed fee.
State-specific Information
Electronic Waste Recycling Fee: Some states require Sprint to collect an E-Waste Recycling Fee on certain electronic devices.
California State Customers: The State of California requires retailers to collect an Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (or E-Waste Recycling Fee) on certain “Covered Electronic Devices” sold in California.
Last updated July 01, 2020