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.

History of surcharge rates from inception of program

CPUC Mandated Telecommunications All-End-User Surcharges

Starting January 1, 2019, the rates illustrated below applies 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 26, 2019

Surcharge Rates
Effective	ULTS	DDTP*	CHCF-A	CHCF-B	CTF	CASF	TOTAL

09/01/2018	4.750%	0.500%	0.350%	0.000%	0.78%	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% 0.14%	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%	0.14%	2.269%
11/01/2011	1.150%	0.200%	0.000%	0.300%	0.079%	0.14%	1.869%
05/01/2011	1.150%	0.200%	0.000%	0.300%	0.079%	0.00%	1.729%
12/01/2010	1.150%	0.200%	0.000%	0.450%	0.079%	0.00%	1.879%
05/01/2010	1.150%	0.200%	0.110%	0.450%	0.079%	0.00%	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:

Universal Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS);
Charges to other certificated carriers for services that are to be resold;
Coin sent paid telephone calls (coin in box) and debit card calls;
Customer-specific contracts effective before 9/15/94;
Usage charges for coin-operated pay telephones;
Directory advertising; and
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.