Xfinity is 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, Xfinity may adjust service prices and fees. These increases help the company consistently improve its network, products and services, as well as cover the rising costs to the business. Similarly, taxes on your Xfinity billing statement may be impacted by regulatory changes or changes to the other charges on your account.
You may not realize that Xfinity pays programmers like Fox, ESPN, HBO, and others to be able to bring you their programming. Programming fees — what Xfinity pays to programmers — are one of the company's largest costs and increase regularly. Changes to the fees Xfinity charges ensure your access to top networks and the latest entertainment.
Xfinity is 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.
Other charges
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.
Broadcast TV Fee
The Broadcast TV Fee is an itemized charge. It isn’t a government-mandated fee and may change from time to time. It’s based on the costs Xfinity incurs to provide local broadcast stations to Xfinity TV customers. These costs include the fees broadcast stations charge Xfinity to carry them on its cable systems, which are among the fastest growing components of the company's programming costs. The Broadcast TV Fee isn’t included as a part of Xfinity's promotional pricing or pricing under your contract and can increase during your promotion or contract. You'll receive advance notice before an increase takes effect.
This fee appears in the My Xfinity services section of bills below your Xfinity TV tier information.
California Public Purpose Fund
The California Public Utilities Commission has a 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, visit the California Public Utilities Commissions page.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Fee
The fee is included in regulatory cost recovery everywhere except in New Jersey, where it shows separately on the bill.
It’s collected annually by the FCC from cable operators to reimburse the FCC for administering its regulatory responsibilities under the Communications Act of 1934. FCC rules permit recovery of this fee through surcharges on Xfinity billing statements.
Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF)
This charge is imposed by Xfinity 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 FCC modifies the contribution rate on a quarterly basis; you can view the rate here.
Franchise fee
Franchise fees are paid to local governments as compensation for Xfinity’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.
This fee is called the service provider fee in Ohio.
Late fee
If the due date listed on your Xfinity billing statement is missed and a payment for the full statement balance isn’t resolved by the end of your next billing cycle, you may be charged a late fee.
Other service providers
Third-party companies billing through your monthly Xfinity bill, like 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 is reflected on your Xfinity monthly bill.
Regional Sports Network Fee
The Regional Sports Network Fee is an itemized charge. It isn’t a government-mandated fee and may change from time to time. It's based on the costs Xfinity incurs to provide regional sports networks to our Xfinity TV customers. These costs include the fees regional sports networks charge Xfinity to carry them on its cable systems, which are among the fastest growing components of the company's programming costs. The Regional Sports Network Fee isn’t included as part of Xfinity's promotional pricing or pricing under your contract and can increase during your promotion or contract. You'll receive advance notice before an increase takes effect.
This fee appears in the My Xfinity services section of bills below your Xfinity TV tier information.
Regulatory cost recovery
This fee is assessed by Xfinity to recover certain federal, state, and/or local regulatory costs related to Xfinity Voice and TV service. It is neither government-mandated nor a tax.
Rental fee
If you rent your TV Box, wireless gateway or voice equipment from Xfinity, you may see a separate line item on your monthly Xfinity bill. Depending on your package, Xfinity may charge separately for the equipment or the fee could be included in your service charge or provided as part of a promotion, in which case you may not see a separate charge for that equipment.
If you’re receiving equipment under a promotion, you’re charged the rental fee for that equipment when your promotion ends. This rental fee may change from time to time, and you’ll receive advance notice before an increase takes effect. It isn’t government-mandated nor a tax.
State Universal Service Fund
This charge recovers Xfinity’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 and 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
The FCC designated 988 as the three-digit dialing number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Some states have 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, like 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, educational and governmental (PEG) fee
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, like voice, data, audio, or TV services.
Gross receipts tax
This tax is imposed by state and local governments on Xfinity's gross revenues. Xfinity assesses these taxes to recover the costs of certain state and local taxes that the company is charged. These taxes vary by state and in some states, the tax may vary by locality. The fee Xfinity charges you isn't government-mandated, but these costs are outside our control and so are passed through to customers. This fee may change from time to time.
State and local 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 or taxes
City amusement tax
The Chicago, Illinois, municipal code requires Xfinity to collect and remit an amusement tax. The city amusement tax is only applicable to customers in the city of Chicago. This tax is 4% and is only collected on Xfinity TV services.
The line item appears on your billing statement as "Amusement Tax," or "Impuesto Sobre Entretenimiento" on Spanish bills.
Colorado retail delivery fee
The Colorado retail delivery fee is a one-time surcharge that Xfinity and other retail companies that offer delivery are required to remit to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
This fee is billed to Colorado customers when purchasing or renting a physical item where sales tax is applicable. The purchased item must be delivered by motor vehicle for the fee to apply. If you update your Xfinity equipment, either by having a technician swap existing equipment, or by using a Getting Started kit to replace existing equipment, this fee won’t apply. The fee also won’t apply if you pick up equipment from an Xfinity Retail store, or if you are exempt from paying sales tax.
If multiple orders are submitted separately, even if on the same day, each individual order requiring mailing, shipment, and/or delivery will be charged the fee. This fee isn’t refunded if the purchased item is returned or refunded.
For more information, see the Colorado Department of Revenue’s website at tax.colorado.gov/retail-delivery-fee.
Communications sales tax
The Communications Sales and Use Tax is imposed by Virginia on both cable television and voice service. The tax doesn’t apply to equipment. Only Xfinity TV and Voice services are taxed. Once collected, these fees are deposited into the Communications Sales and Use Tax Trust Fund and distributed to local communities.
Community TV of Knoxville access fee
The community TV of Knoxville access fee recovers amounts Xfinity is required to pay to subsidize Knoxville, Tennessee’s, community TV operations. This fee isn’t government-mandated or a tax.
Connect ME Fund
This fund supports the expanding of advanced internet access to underserved areas of Maine. This includes two fees on customer bills: a percentage-based fee assessed on Xfinity TV and Voice charges, and a flat surcharge on all voice lines.
Massachusetts license fee
Under Massachusetts law, cable operators are required to pay a set of annual fees to offset the cost of local regulation. In addition, the Department of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC) issues an assessment to each cable operator based on its share of cable subscribers in the state. These fees apply to all Xfinity TV services and may change from time to time.
In some Massachusetts’ locations, this fee or a portion of this fee may be collected as part of the franchise fee percentage and the MA license fee may not be on Xfinity billing statements or may reflect a reduced amount.
Maine Telecommunications Education Access Fund
This fund assists the Maine School and Library Network (MSLN). The MSLN offers discounted internet and telecommunications access to schools and libraries across Maine. This rate is a flat fee per line or phone number every month. The rate may change on an annual basis and is determined by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) tax
This tax applies to the 12 counties surrounding New York City, comprising the MCTD. It recovers telephone company expenses for mandated New York state metropolitan transportation business tax surcharges. It’s generally applied to all Xfinity Voice services except the E911 surcharge, equipment leasing and/or purchases, or battery backup purchases.
Municipal right-of-way fee
The municipal right-of-way fee is imposed on telecommunications providers in Texas and distributed to local communities for roadway maintenance. This charge is allowed to be recovered through surcharges on Xfinity billing statements.
Rights-of-way use fee
Like the communications sales tax, this fee is imposed on cable providers in Virginia and applies to Xfinity billing statements including Xfinity Voice services. Once collected, these fees are deposited into the Communications Sales and Use Tax Trust Fund and distributed to local communities for roadway maintenance.
State assessment fee
The state assessment directly funds the operation of New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and under federal law, is allowed to be recovered through surcharges on Xfinity billing statements.
State communications services taxes
This state tax is imposed on Xfinity Voice services in New Hampshire.
State cost recovery charge
This Texas-imposed charge is allowed to be recovered through surcharges on Xfinity billing statements.
State provider tax
Maine imposes a tax on companies delivering telecommunications and associated services in the state. Law permits this tax to be recouped on Xfinity billing statements for Xfinity Voice customers. Most Voice services are taxed except interstate calling, intrastate access charges, equipment leasing, debit calling cards, additional listings, and battery backup purchases.
State public service reg fee
The Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) is authorized to grant cable television franchises to cable system operators who service the unincorporated areas of Delaware, like Newcastle, Kent, Sussex counties, as well as the southern portion of Newcastle County.
While the Commission no longer regulates cable TV rates, it does oversee the franchising agreements and the provisions for public access channels. The PSC bills cable operators, as a franchise fee, the cost of regulating the franchising process. cable system operators are allowed to pass this cost through to subscribers. The fee is then passed down to Xfinity TV service costs on billing statements.
State Treasury Fee
New Jersey’s State Treasury Fee goes to a fund established on behalf of those eligible for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program. This fund provides financial assistance for basic cable television service.
State Universal Service Fund
This charge recovers Xfinity’s required contribution to your state’s Universal Service Fund, which is a state 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).