Thursday Deadline for FCC Annual Regulatory Fees

Broadcasters have until 10:59 PM CDT Thursday night, Sept. 25, for the payment of broadcasters' FCC annual regulatory fees.

Stations should note that the FCC has discontinued the use of the Fee Filer system and incorporated this payment system into the Commission Registration System (CORES).

Only credit card, ACH, and wire transfer payments will be accepted - the FCC no longer accepts payments by check, money order, or cashier's check.

You must be registered with the FCC at https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/login.html to use CORES. Once your FCC username is registered and verified, you can access CORES and select the option to associate your existing FRN with that username, if you have not already done so.

To make a FY 2025 regulatory fee payment, login to the following website using your username and password: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do.

Broadcasters should consult the FY 2025 Regulatory Fees Report and Order for specific information concerning regulatory fee payment obligations, the regulatory fee process, and regulatory fee requirements for payment.

The FCC also publishes industry-specific guidance under the heading FY 2025 - Who Owes Fees and What Is My Fee, which can be found on the commission's website at http://www.fcc.gov/regfees.

Attorney David Oxenford of TAB Associate member law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer wrote recently week about the regulatory fee report and order and addresses the payment process and other broadcaster considerations such as waivers, fee reductions, deferrals, and installment payment requests.

Broadcasters can find Oxenford's BroadcastLawBlog piece here.

Late Payment Penalties Can Be Substantial

The FCC is allowed under law to impose a late payment penalty of 25 percent of the unpaid amount to be assessed on the first day following the deadline for filing these fees, and thereafter, to assess interest on the unpaid fee and penalty until paid in full.

Two Texas stations found out earlier this year, at least temporarily, that the commission means business when it comes to on time payments.

TAB implores broadcasters to make timely payments of the stations' FCC annual regulatory fees.

Questions? Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.