Surcharge Rates

There are a number of surcharges and taxes assessed on telecommunications services by the State of California, city and county governments, and federal agencies. These taxes and surcharges are collected by telecommunications carriers which then remit these funds as directed by the appropriate authorities.

CPUC Mandated Telecommunications All-End-User Surcharges

Starting January 1, 2019, the rates illustrated below apply to ALL telecommunications services – including intrastate prepaid wireless services which was previously subject to the Prepaid MTS Act. Click on the Surcharge to access the Adopting Resolution. 

  Revised February 1, 2022

 Effective

ULTS

DDTP*

CHCF-A

CHCF-B

CTF

CASF

 TOTAL
02/02/2022 4.750% 1.11% 0.700% 0.000% 0.780% 1.019% 8.359%
12/01/2020 4.750% 0.500% 0.700% 0.000% 0.780% 1.019% 7.749%
09/01/2018 4.750% 0.500% 0.350% 0.000% 0.780% 0.560% 6.94%
03/01/2018 4.750%   0.500% 0.350% 0.000% 1.080% 0.560% 7.240%

12/01/2016

11/01/2016

10/01/2015

08/01/2015

06/01/2015

02/01/2015

01/01/2015

10/01/2014

04/01/2014

02/01/2014

10/01/2013

04/01/2013

12/01/2012

4.750%

4.750%

5.500%

3.800%

2.400%

2.400%

2.400%

1.150%

1.150%

1.150%

1.150%

1.150%

1.150%

0.500%

0.500%

0.500%

0.500%

0.500%

0.500%

0.200%

0.200%

0.200%

0.200%

0.200%

0.200%

0.200%

0.350%

0.350%

0.350%

0.350%

0.350%

0.350%

0.350%

0.180%

0.180%

0.180%

0.180%

0.400%

0.400%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.000%

0.300%

0.300%

0.300%

1.080%

1.080%

1.080%

1.080%

1.080%

0.930%

0.930%

0.930%

0.590%

0.590%

0.590%

0.590%

0.590%

0.000%

0.464%

0.464%

0.464%

0.464%

0.464%

0.464%

0.464%

0.464%

0.164%

0.164%

0.164%

0.140%

6.680%

7.144%

7.894%

6.194%

4.794%

4.644%

4.344%

2.924%

2.584%

2.284%

2.584%

2.804%

2.780%

07/01/2012

1.150%

0.200%

0.400%

0.300%

0.079%

0.140%

 2.269%

11/01/2011

1.150%

0.200%

0.000%

0.300%

0.079%

0.140%

 1.869%

05/01/2011

1.150%

0.200%

0.000%

0.300%

0.079%

0.000%

 1.729%

12/01/2010

1.150%

0.200%

0.000%

0.450%

0.079%

0.000%

 1.879%

05/01/2010

1.150%

0.200%

0.110%

0.450%

0.079%

0.000%

 1.989%

01/01/2010

1.150%

0.200%

0.130%

0.450%

0.079%

0.250%

 2.009%

 * DDTP: This surcharge is designated "CA Relay Service and Communications Devices Fund."

The all-end-user surcharges are assessed on consumers' intrastate telecommunications services except for the following:

  1. Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS);

  2. Charges to other certificated carriers for services that are to be resold;

  3. Coin sent paid telephone calls (coin in box) and debit card calls;

  4. Customer-specific contracts effective before 9/15/94;

  5. Usage charges for coin-operated pay telephones;

  6. Directory advertising; and

  7. One-way radio paging.

The all-end-user surcharges are collected by the telecommunications carriers. They, in turn, remit the surcharges as directed by the Commission.