Floridians Pay 4th Highest Cell Phone Tax Rate, Study Says

Florida cell phone users wondering why their bills are so high might want to take a look at the fine print in regard to taxes.

The Tax Foundation just released a study that shows Floridians pay the fourth highest rate in the country when average state and local cell phone taxes and fees are considered. That amounts to about a 16.55 percent rate, the study found. When federal taxes are included, the rate jumps to 22.38 percent. The average combined rate – local, state and federal taxes – across the country is 17.05 percent.

Founded in 1937, the Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan research think tank based in Washington, D.C., according to its website. Through its independent research, the organization strives to promote “smart tax policy” at all levels of government.

The top five states with the highest state and local rates combined are:

• Washington, 18.6 percent
• Nebraska, 18.48 percent
• New York, 17.74 percent
• Florida, 16.55 percent
• Illinois, 15.81 percent

States with the lowest rates included Nevada, Idaho and West Virginia. Oregon is the lowest in the country with a combined state and local tax rate of 1.76 percent.

Check out the full study by visiting the Tax Foundation online.

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