Learn about fees and taxes you will find on your T-Mobile bill.
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Most-recent customer update: January 2, 2016–Changes to Regulatory Programs Fee
We occasionally adjust the way we assess fees and taxes as part of regular government program compliance and third-party service and facilities reviews. This helps to ensure that our customers are accurately assessed fees and taxes based on the type of plan they purchase and so that we can continue to provide you with the best value in wireless.
On January 2, 2016, the "Regulatory Programs Fee" changed to the "Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee", as applicable; however, there was no change to the total amount charged to existing customers. New Mobile Internet (MI) lines are subject to a $0.98 Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee per line. See Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee below.
911 Surcharge
T-Mobile collects a monthly 911 surcharge on behalf of your state and local governments. State legislation imposes the amount, and T-Mobile's compliance with these charges is a legal requirement. Depending on your local government, the surcharge is either a flat rate or a percentage of your transaction, and it's subject to change at any time.
You can find more information on your bill or receipt. You can also check your state's government websites to learn more about your local communication service taxes.
Account Restoration Fee
The account restoration fee is charged to your account if you restored your service after a non-payment service interruption. The fee is $20 per line. The restore fee is automatically charged to your account at the point of restore and will appear on your next month's bill. To avoid this fee, we recommend you sign up for AutoPay so you don't miss any payments.
Activation Fee
Activation fees are a thing of the past. Any new Simple Choice™ Plan activation will be free of an activation fee. You'll be charged an activation fee if you activate a classic plan or if you activate a line in Puerto Rico.
Early Termination Fee (ETF)
An Early Termination Fee (ETF) is charged to your account when you cancel service and end your service agreement with T-Mobile early. This fee is intended to provide reasonable compensation to T-Mobile for the losses it suffers when you do not remain a customer for the full term of your service agreement.
The Early Termination Fee is charged for each line canceled on the account. Taxes may apply, based on state and local laws. These taxes are correct and not a result of a billing issue.
The ETF amount can vary based on your service agreement type and the length of time left until your expiration date:
| Days remaining on contract | Fee |
| 181 days or more | $200 |
| 91 to 180 days | $100 |
| 31 to 90 days | $50 |
| 30 or fewer days | $50 or the amount of your monthly recurring charges—whichever is less |
How to avoid an Early Termination Fee (ETF)
If you regret the decision to cancel service with T-Mobile, we understand, and we’d love to have you back. Resume service with T-Mobile within 90 days of canceling, and we'll automatically credit the ETF back to your account. If it doesn't appear on your first bill, don’t fret. It may take up to two billing cycles to appear.
You can do a change of responsibility to avoid the ETF. There are also special circumstances where T-Mobile will waive the ETF, so please contact T-Mobile Customer Service to learn more about ETF waivers.
Late Fee
Late fees are $5 or more (up to 1.5% of the balance) if the balance is not paid by the due date shown on your statement. You automatically receive a grace period (depending on which state you live in) after your due date before a late fee is determined.
The late fee grace period does not apply to partial account suspensions. Anytime your account is past due, suspension is a possibility. The balance that remains unpaid when the grace period ends is charged the late fee.
Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee
This isn't a government tax, rather a fee collected and retained to help recover certain costs we've already incurred and continue to incur, including:
- Funding and complying with government mandates, programs and obligations, like E911 or local number portability ($0.60 of the total charge for voice lines and $0.15 for data only lines), and
- Charges imposed on T-Mobile by other carriers for the delivery of calls from our customers to theirs, and by third parties for certain network facilities and services ($2.11 of the total charge for voice lines or $0.98 for data only lines). See T-Mobile Terms & Conditions to learn more.
Universal Service Fund Fee
The Universal Service Fund is a fee applied to all accounts. This fee increases access to advanced telecommunications services to all consumers in rural areas at reasonable rates, and provides funding for federal programs. Like some other fees, the rate of the fee changes on a regular basis as determined by the Federal Communications Commission.
Utility User Tax
A Utility User Tax is charged by your city for the use of certain utilities, such as electricity, cable, and others. This tax is required by your local law, and is not imposed by T-Mobile. The rate of the tax and the use of its revenues are determined by your local agency.