Hello all,
I recently signed up for Comcast Xfinity Internet service here in Chicago (proper) because of an awesome new customer promo in the area. I recevied my first bill a couple days ago.
I subscribe to Internet service ONLY. I do not have nor do i want TV, Phone, or any other service.
I have always understood that there are no taxes on Internet service allowed in the United States thanks to the Internet Tax Freedom Act. This, as per my understanding, includes local franchise taxes on Internet service.
I was quite surprised to find that Comcast was charging me a TV franchise tax as well as a local public television tax on my Internet-only service. I thought it was a misunderstanding so I called in. The lady I talked to said she would not remove it and that it was a legitimate tax. When I pressed her on the legality of the tax she consulted with a supervisor and continued to state the tax would not be removed and that I was wrong about it being illegal.
I just wanted to ask here if someone could verify my understanding that taxes on Internet service are in-fact illegal. I'm not looking to waste my time if this is legal, but if it is not legal and Comcast is doing it to me, I'm sure they are doing it to others and that's not right. I just want to make sure I'm not being ripped off.
A copy of my bill (with personal info redacted) is available here for your review:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/tomsonlinestorage/comcastbill.png
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