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I have been corresponding with Dish Network's sales tax department, via e-mail, since the beginning of April, 2011, regarding sales taxes on our account.

Prior to that I called several times - to no avail, and also PM'd one of the reps who responds on this site, all to no avail. Either I got no response or I was told by a CSR that this was not a problem that needed fixing.

We have seen sales taxes, in the amount of $0.48 per month, going back as far as I can find our bills.

We are an original DN customer from the early 90s who own all of our equipment. It is all self-installed.

We do not rent content or anything else.

Neither Chicago, Cook County, or the State of Illinois currently have any kind of tax on satellite television, services, or delivery charges.

Included below, with account information redacted, is my correspondence, along with the response I finally received, from the Dish Network sales tax department.

The Illinois Department of Revenue is actively monitoring this case as well.

Moral of the story: WATCH YOUR DISH NETWORK BILLS CAREFULLY AND MAKE CERTAIN YOU AUDIT EVERY ONE OF THEM BEFORE YOU PAY THEM! Not only does Dish Network throw legal increases into billing, but they are fully capable of sneaking other line items in which are not legitimate.

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ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE TO SALES TAX DEPARTMENT
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To: Tax Issues, Consumer
Subject: Sales Tax on Illinois Account with Owned Equipment and No Other Purchases
Importance: Normal

Dish Network
9601 S Meridian Blvd
Englewood CO 80112

1 April, 2011
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RE: Dish Network Account #8255-XX-XX-XXXXXXX
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To Whom It May Concern;

I am writing at the suggestion of the Illinois Department of Revenue who has
asked me to contact you to explain why I am being billed for SALES TAX on my
Dish Network Statement in the amount of $0.48 every month.

Illinois presently has no sales taxes on services.

Illinois presently has no sales taxes on satellite services.

The City of Chicago presently has no sales taxes on satellite services.

I own all of my receivers and my satellite dish. Everything was purchased over eBay and self installed.

I do not lease anything from Dish Network, therefore you cannot collect any leasing taxes for the City of Chicago.

Please either provide an explanation as to the reason for the collection of sales taxes on my account, 8255-XX-XX-XXXXXXX, or immediately discontinue the collection of those taxes and refund all such taxes collected on previous statements.

The Illinois Department of Revenue is also receiving a copy of this correspondence.

If you need to contact me, please respond to this e-mail. If you need a copy of my bill, I will be glad to fax it to you.

I look forward to seeing your response.

Thank you,
Bruce Barnes
Chicago IL 60651-2332

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FOLLOW-UP, WITH COPY TO CEO
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From: Bruce Barnes
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011
To: Tax Issues, Consumer
Cc: CEO
Subject: Sales Tax on Illinois Account with Owned Equipment and No Other Purchases
Importance: High
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This message was originally sent on Friday, 1 April, 2011.

I have not heard back from anyone in the consumer tax department at Dish
Network. This is NOT RESOLVED.

We are being charged SALES TAX in Illinois. We OWN the equipment. It is
NOT LEASED. There is NO SALES TAX on SERVICE in Illinois.

The Illinois Department Of Revenue is also interested in having your response forwarded
to them as they have stated you are not submitting sales tax to them.

Please respond within 72 hours or we will terminate our Dish Network account.

My cell phone, at 773.XXX.XXXX, is the best way to contact me.

Thank you,
Bruce Barnes
Chicago IL 606051-2332

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RESPONSE FINALLY RECEIVED THIS MORNING - 18 APRIL 2011
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From: Tax Issues, Consumer
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 08:32
To: Bruce Barnes
Cc: CEO

Subject: RE: Sales Tax on Illinois Account with Owned Equipment and No Other Purchases

Dear Mr. Barnes,

I apologize for the frustration; we have been researching your concerns. The tax is being charged on the DVR Fee and we are working with our IT department to fix this.

I will contact you as soon as I have an update.

Sincerely,
Amanda Shuck
Staff Accountant II
Dish Network L.L.C.

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END OF SALES TAX CORRESPONDENCE WITH DISH NETWORK
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If anyone has questions about the sales taxes on their Dish Network billing statement, the ONLY way to get the matter resolved is by sending an e-mail to

ConsumerTaxIssues@dishnetwork.com

Calling Dish Network or opening an online chat with a CSR will NOT resolve sales tax issues.

DN CSRs CANNOT change your tax rate or investigate sales tax issues.

Sales tax questions and issues MUST be handled by the Dish Network accounting department.