Telephone Tax Rebate Credit?

Question

Can I claim this rebate if all I had was a cell phone?

Answer 1

Yes, cell phones are included.

Answer 2

The Telephone Excise Tax Refund (TETR) is a one-time payment available on your 2006 federal income tax return. It is designed to refund previously collected long distance telephone taxes. Individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations are eligible to request it.

Questions? We've got answers.

This refund will be the most wide-reaching in IRS history — more than 160 million filers may request it. That's a lot of questions.

Qs and As for Individuals
Qs and As for Businesses and Tax-Exempt Organizations
If you don't find your answer, follow the instructions at the bottom of the Qs and As for contacting the IRS for assistance.

Take Note

Check here for the latest updates on refund requests.

Early tax returns show some people are making basic mistakes when requesting the refunds, others are requesting excessive amounts and many are missing out altogether. Get tips for requesting the telephone excise tax refund. See news release IR-2007-21.
Some taxpayers have requested large and apparently improper amounts for the telephone tax refund. Use caution when figuring your actual amount of tax paid. See news release IR-2007-16.
Individuals

Taxpayers have a choice: a standard refund amount between $30 and $60, based on the total number of exemptions claimed on their 2006 tax return, to eliminate the need to locate old phone bills; or they can locate those bills and use the actual amount.

Choosing the standard refund amount? You’ll find an extra line on your tax returns for the refund.
Find those old phone bills? You can figure the refund using the actual amount of tax paid. Fill out Form 8913, Credit for Federal Telephone Excise Tax Paid, and attach it to your return.
Don't need to file a return? You can still request the refund. Use the new Form 1040EZ-T, Request for Refund of Federal Telephone Excise Tax, to choose the standard amount. Attach Form 8913 to Form 1040EZ-T if you use the actual amount. Also, some companies offer free e-filing of Form 1040EZ-T.
Filing Schedule C, E or F? You may be eligible to use the special formula for businesses if you have more than $25,000 in gross receipts.

Answer 3

Yes, if you paid a Telephone Excise Tax for Long Distance service.The standard credit is $30 if you claim only yourself as an exemption on your tax return, $40 for 2, $50 for 3 and $60 for 4 exemptions.

Answer 4

my tax preparer gave it to me and I didn't have a phone in my name either. It was like 40 dollars. I went to h&r block.