The Federal Universal Service Fund along with the Al Gore "I Invented the Internet - You Must Pay For It" slush fund extension is skyrocketing out of control. In January this year the tax was raised to 14.1%, and as of July 1, was raised again to 15%.
Now that cellphone companies such as TracFone can tap it to underwrite the cost of "free" cell phones for so-called disadvantaged users, expect the USF to quickly approach the taxation levels previously only seen in hospitality and rental car receipts.