Refund - Long-Distance Phone Tax

I noted in a recent Kip mag that we may claim (on our 2006 taxes) a refund for the now defunct long-distance Fed. phone tax. No justification needed up to $60.
My question is: Is this a schedule A deduction or is it a pure credit applied to the 'bottom line'? Anybody know?

Luckyduck,

No, this is not a Schedule A deduction.

In fact it is a REBATE of your Federal Telephone Excise Tax paid after February 28, 2003 and before August 1,2006. This is a tax we paid on our long distance phone bill.

The rebate is a refundable credit appering on line 71 of form 1040. The IRS has prepared a table that says if you have 1 exemption you can claim a Standard Credit amount of $30. This increases by $10 for each exemption up to a maximum of 4 exemptions that gives you $60. Of course you can claim your actual excise taxes paid during that period referenced above. To request the actual amount, you need to complete form 8913.

You can CLAIM THIS TAX REBATE EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FILE A TAX RETURN. You use the form 1040-EZ-T to claim your standard rebate abmount.
Let your Parents and Grandparents know about this.

You must have paid the Federal Excise Tax and have not had it refunded by the IRS or any telephone provider.

This is not income to you and does not need to be reported on any future tax return.

Here is more at the IRS: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161506,00.html

Where would I find this in the walk through for tax programs such as Tax Cut.

Another Question, if I have had the same account with Bellsouth for 6 years shouldn't I be able to request how much I pad in taxes on those LD calls.

Faspina,

This will probably be in the interview part of the program, you will answer a question something like, "Does the taxpayer qualify for the Telephone Excise Tax Credit?

You would have to ask Bellsouth your other question.
But before you do, if you have a phone bill(s) from earlier this year lying around, check to see how much you were billed for the long distance excise tax. Then use that as an average and multiply that average by the 41 months covered. I suspect the standard credit will be generous for most of us.

i hope i can help..

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=134768,00.html

just search in that site..