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Frequently asked questions about taxes, surcharges, and regulatory fees on Plivo invoices.
Regional tax applicability:
  • United States: The taxes and fees described below (Sales Tax, Telecom Tax, CCRF, Carrier Surcharges) apply to businesses registered in the US, identified by billing address.
  • India: GST of 18% is applicable on all spends. See India taxes for details.

What additional charges may appear on my invoice?

Your invoice may include additional charges based on service type and location:
ChargeDescription
Sales TaxState and local taxes based on service address
Telecom TaxTelecommunications-specific taxes
CCRFCarrier Cost Recovery Fee — fixed percentage on US voice, numbers, and Zentrunk usage
Regulatory FeesFederal communications program contributions
Carrier SurchargesFees imposed by US/Canadian carriers on SMS/MMS traffic

What is the Carrier Cost Recovery Fee (CCRF)?

CCRF is a pass-through mechanism for recovering federal regulatory costs, including:
  • Universal Service Fund contributions
  • Other telecommunications fees
This charge applies exclusively to US-originating or US-terminating calls.

What are carrier surcharges on messaging?

US and Canadian carriers levy surcharges on SMS and MMS communications. These fees vary depending on:
  • Mobile carrier
  • Message type (SMS vs MMS)
  • Number type (long code, toll-free, or short code)

How are taxes calculated?

Plivo determines applicable taxes using your billing address, including:
  • State and local sales taxes
  • Telecom taxes
  • Jurisdiction-specific charges
Update your billing address in Account Settings for accurate assessment.

Why does Plivo charge taxes?

Where Plivo has sufficient presence in a state, locality, or jurisdiction, we are required to collect applicable taxes and remit them to appropriate authorities. Sales tax functions as an indirect tax at the point of transaction — although Plivo pays initially, customers ultimately bear the burden per applicable law.

What taxes apply for India-based accounts?

Tax TypeDetails
GST18% charged on all invoiced amounts
GSTINRequired in account profile
Supply your GST registration details through the Console for proper account configuration.