Cut Your Phone and Internet Bill in Half!
The California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) Program was established by Decision 96-10-066 on October 25, 1996. In this decision, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to universal service, and in accordance with state and federal directives, created the CTF program to provide 50% discount on selected telecommunications services to qualifying schools, libraries, government-owned and operated hospitals and health clinics, and community based organizations.
The program is funded through a surcharge on all end-users of intrastate telecommunications services. Please refer to the CTF website for instructions on how to apply for the program.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
CTF customers must qualify under one of the following categories:
Public or Nonprofit Schools: Public schools, nonprofit schools, and schools run by a religious order that are incorporated as a nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation or as a nonprofit Religious Corporation providing elementary or secondary education (grades K-12). Qualified schools may not have endowments of more than $50 million.
Libraries: Libraries that are eligible for participation in state-based funding under the Library Services and Technology Act (“LSTA”). Eligibility for libraries is defined in Act 20 USCA Sec. 9122 (2 and 3), but need not be certified under LSTA for purposes of CTF.
Municipal, County Government or Hospital District Owned and Operated Hospital and Health Clinic: All hospitals and health clinics owned and operated by county, municipal government or hospital districts.
Community Based Organizations (CBOs): Tax exempt organizations offering health care, job training, job placement, educational instruction, or a non-profit CBO operating a community technology center engaged in diffusing technology into a local community, and training a local community that has limited or no access to the Internet and other technologies shall qualify for the discount rate for CBOs or a non profit CBO providing 2-1-1 information and referral services. A “tax exempt organization” shall refer to an organization described in Section 501 (c)(3) or 501 (d) of the Internal Revenue Code, Title 26 of the United States Code.
California Community Colleges: California community colleges and/or districts.
NOTE: These discounted services may not be resold to, or shared with, any other non-qualifying organization or person.
Red Cup IT can provide your organization with the forms and information.
The best call you’ll receive from the… IRS
Below is a brief overview of the Disabled Access Credit from the ADA (American Disabilities Act). Keep in mind that no person at the company has to have a hearing impairment in order to qualify, and always check with your CPA regarding these tax situations.
American Disability Act of 1990
Red Cup IT can provide your organization with the forms and information required to possibly receive up to a $5,000 tax credit from the IRS on your phone system. Call an Red Cup IT for more information today!
Eligible small business with prior year gross receipts< $1 million OR no more than 30 full time employees are allowed 50% credit for disabled access expenditures exceeding $250 up to $10,000 maximum. Disabled Access Credit is included as a General Business Credit, and as such is subject to the limitations on the amount that can be utilized in any given year.
Disabled access expenditures include amounts paid or incurred:
- removing architectural, communication, physical or transportation barriers
- provide qualified interpreters or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments
- provide qualified readers, taped texts, and other effective methods of making visually delivered materials available to individuals with visual impairments
- acquire or modify equipment or devices for individuals with disabilities) Provide other similar services, modifications, materials or equipment. The disabled access expenditures must be for the purpose of enabling such small business to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). As discussed on Oct 21, 1997, since the telephone system includes all components necessary to utilize the TDD function, the equipment is eligible for the Disabled Access Credit under point 2(b) above.