Taxes, Fees & Surcharges

1.1 Applicability. BlueStream is required by law to collect and remit sales and use taxes in jurisdictions where its services are taxable. The applicable rate depends on the type of service and the location where the service is delivered or used.

1.2 Client Responsibility. If Client holds a valid tax-exempt certificate, Client must provide a copy to BlueStream prior to invoicing. BlueStream cannot retroactively remove taxes from previously issued invoices without written authorization from the applicable taxing authority.

1.3 Changes in Law. BlueStream reserves the right to begin collecting sales or use tax in any jurisdiction upon receiving guidance from applicable tax authorities, without prior notice to Client.

2.1 Federal USF Contribution. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires providers of interstate telecommunications services to contribute to the Universal Service Fund. BlueStream passes through this contribution as a percentage of applicable interstate and international charges. The USF contribution factor is set quarterly by the FCC and is subject to change.

2.2 State USF. Certain states impose their own universal service fund surcharges. Where applicable, these are assessed separately and itemized on the invoice.

3.1 E911 Surcharge. VoIP and hosted telephony services are subject to federal and state E911 surcharges. These fees fund the maintenance and operation of emergency dispatch infrastructure. The per-line or per-seat rate varies by state and is subject to change by the applicable regulatory authority.

3.2 Client Obligations. Client is responsible for ensuring that accurate physical location information is registered for each VoIP endpoint. BlueStream is not liable for emergency service failures resulting from inaccurate or missing location data provided by Client.

4.1 TRS Assessment. Federal and state TRS fees fund relay services for individuals with hearing or speech disabilities. These fees are assessed on applicable telecommunications services and passed through to Client at cost.

5.1 Description. BlueStream may assess a Regulatory Recovery Fee to recover costs associated with compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, including but not limited to FCC filing fees, CPNI compliance, CALEA obligations, and number portability administration. This fee is not a tax or government-mandated charge; it is a BlueStream-assessed fee to offset regulatory compliance costs.

6.1 Pass-Through Carrier Fees. Certain services rely on underlying carrier networks. Fees imposed by those carriers — including access charges, interconnection fees, and network surcharges — may be passed through to Client as separate line items on the invoice.

6.2 International Surcharges. International calling, data roaming, and cross-border circuit services may be subject to additional surcharges imposed by foreign carriers or regulatory bodies. These are billed at cost.

7.1 Line-Item Disclosure. All applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges will be itemized as separate line items on each invoice. The total amount due reflects the sum of base service fees plus all applicable charges described in this document.

7.2 Rate Changes. Regulatory fees and surcharges are subject to change without notice as required by applicable law or regulatory authority. BlueStream will update invoice line items to reflect current rates as they change.

8.1 Inquiries. Questions regarding specific charges on your invoice should be directed to BlueStream's billing department at [email protected] or 352-432-4200. Disputed charges are subject to the dispute resolution procedures set forth in your Master Service Agreement.