Don’t Forget Your Telephone Excise Tax Refund

In 1898, Congress imposed a “luxury tax” on long-distance phone calls in order to pay for the Spanish-American War. The war lasted 113 days, but the tax lasted 108 years (we won, btw).
The government finally decided to get rid of the tax. Or more precisely, the courts declared it illegal and after fighting it for years, the government, like the Spanish, conceded defeat.
The good news is that taxpayers can now get a refund. A very small refund, but a refund nonetheless
You can either dig up your old phone bill, or go for the automatic plan. That’s $30 for one dependent; $40 for two; $50 for three or $60 for four. Sixty bucks is the limit.
For the 411, check the IRS’ site.
What happened to the Battleship Maine? It was refloated in 1912 and sunk again in deeper water. The main mast is now part of the U.S.S. Maine Memorial in Arlington National Cemetary.
After the war, Cuba leased the U.S. Guantanamo Bay for $2,000 a year in gold (now about $4,000 in cash). Every year, we pay. Every year, Castro refuses.

Posted by on February 4th, 2007 at 7:19 am


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