The FCC has released its Report and Order showing the annual regulatory fees due for the 2012 fiscal year. Although the due date has not yet been announced, it will likely be in September. The fees are intended to recover the Commission’s cost of operations, reported to be nearly $340 million. 

Fees must be paid by all commercial FCC licensees and permittees as of October 1, 2011 (the first day of the 2012 fiscal year).  In the event of an assignment or transfer of control after that date, fees are to be paid by the current permittees and licensees as of the payment due date in September.  Noncommercial stations and all nonprofit entities are exempt from paying regulatory fees.

Although a summary of fees is shown below, each licensee or permittee will have to check the FCC website to determine the exact amount of fees owed, since the FCC will not be mailing out any notices of fees due.  Fees paid even one day late will be subject to a 25% penalty plus administrative processing charges, so timely payment is critical.  Unlike the IRS which uses the mailing date to determine timeliness, the FCC requires regulatory fees to be received by the due date to avoid late payment penalties.  Licensees or permittees that fail to pay their regulatory fees in full will not be able to get FCC action on any subsequently filed applications pursuant to the Commission’s "red light" policy until all fees and penalties are paid.

Licensees and permittees will be able to pay by wire, credit card, check, money order or debit card, although all payers will need a an FCC Registration Number (FRN) and completed "Fee Filer Form" 159-E prior to filing.

Below is a chart showing final 2012 FCC regulatory fees, which differ slightly from those proposed by the Commission in May.  Radio station fees based on population use 2010 Census data.  Do not forget to include all broadcast auxiliary licenses at $10 each when computing fees due. 

Although not shown below, cable television operators will be required to pay 95 cents per subscriber as of December 31, 2011 plus $475 for any CARS licenses held.

 

AM Radio Construction Permits

550

FM Radio Construction Permits

700

VHF Commercial TV

 

                Markets 1-10       

80,075

                Markets 11-25

73,475

                Markets 26-50

39,800

                Markets 51-100  

20,925

                Remaining Markets

5,825

                Construction Permits

5,825

UHF Commercial TV

 

                Markets 1-10

35,350

                Markets 11-25

32,625

                Markets 26-50

21,925

                Markets 51-100

12,750

                Remaining Markets

3,425

                Construction Permits         

3,425

Licensed Satellite TV Stations (All Markets)  

1,425

Construction Permits – Satellite Television Stations

895

LPTV, Class A TV, TV/FM Translators & Boosters (analog or digital)

385

Broadcast Auxiliaries         

10

 

 

FY 2012 RADIO STATION REGULATORY FEES

Population

Served

AM Class A

AM Class B

AM Class C

AM Class D

FM Classes

A, B1 & C3

FM Classes

B, C, C0, C1 & C2

<=25,000

$725

$600

$550

$625

$700

$875

25,001 – 75,000

$1,475

$1,225

$850

$950

$1,425

$1,550

75,001 – 150,000

$2,200

$1,525

$1,125

$1,600

$1,950

$2,875

150,001 – 500,000

$3,300

$2,600

$1,675

$1,900

$3,025

$3,750

500,001 – 1,200,000

$4,775

$3,975

$2,800

$3,175

$4,800

$5,525

1,200,001 – 3,000,00

$7,350

$6,100

$4,200

$5,075

$7,800

$8,850

>3,000,000

$8,825

$7,325

$5,325

$6,350

$9,950

$11,500

 

Of course, we will keep you advised of the due date when it is announced, but feel free to contact us with any questions about the amount of fees due or payment methods.