2006-11-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless have been paying the 9% telephone license tax in Municipal Code Section 5.84.010 under protest since 2002, except that AT&T Wireless stopped around August 2005 when HB 209 took effect and then resumed around August 2006 after the Missouri Supreme Court found HB 209 unconstitutional. Now I have received calls that AT&T is increasing charges on hard line phones as well. Both companies passed the tax through to their customers, so the charge appeared on their monthly bills. As clarification we have received some funds as T-Mobile has not filed any tax refund actions against University City, so 90 days after each tax protest payment University City has been able to transfer the money to its General Fund as provided in Section 139.031 RSMo. T-Mobile has paid University City approximately $280,000 to date. AT&T Wireless paid approximately $300,000 prior to the passage of HB 209 and timely filed tax refund actions in St. Louis County Circuit Court, so we have held that money in a separate account pending a decision in the tax protest litigation. The tentative trial date in the AT&T Wireless tax protest litigation is June 2007. If AT&T Wireless wins, we will have to refund the money. What happens after that is between AT&T Wireless and its customers. Neither T- Mobile nor its customers will get a refund because T-Mobile did not file tax refund actions as required under Section 139.031 RSMo. Due to the increased number of calls I have received, I believe the other wireless carriers are finally paying the telephone license tax under protest because they realize they might not get constitutional legislative relief or a favorable court decision on whether the telephone tax ordinance applies to wireless service, and they want to create a settlement or judgment fund with their customers' money. The companies will blame the cities and instruct their customers to complain to their elected officials. The reality is that for years wireless telephone companies have refused to pay the tax because they contended they were radio companies instead of telephone companies, but they have been unsuccessful so far in court, so they are finally paying the tax (in some cases asking for more than the City’s required tax). All other businesses have faithfully paid their taxes, and everybody suffers when taxes are not paid by such an important industry. Parent University The School District of University City's upcoming , which will be held this Saturday, November 18 from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at University City High School, is a great opportunity to learn about the school district and obtain invaluable information that can be used to help our children succeed in school. The day begins with a continental breakfast and participants will be eligible to win attendance prizes. Parent University will feature five 30-minute sessions that will run concurrently throughout the event. Topics will focus on health and nutrition strategies parents can use in the fight against childhood obesity, identifying and managing student and parent stress, parental advocacy, making the grade on standardized tests from the MAP to the ACT and college prep strategies for K-12 students. Parent University is free and open to all however, pre-registration is encouraged. Childcare will be provided for children who are 3-11 years old. For more information call 290-4016.