I need to find a web site where I can view commercial customer's
utility bills (#1 priority is electric bills). I am looking
specifically to see if manufacturers and non-profit organizations are
paying sales tax on their utility bills- especially in Pennsylvania. I
would like to view the electric bills of First Energy and Duquesne
Light customers to start with. Can you help? |
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
25 Feb 2005 13:57 PST
kwking-ga,
As the comment below notes, it doesn't seem very likely that you'll
find an actual copy of company's utility bill online.
However, I have found the details of what should be included on such a
bill in Pennsylvania.
The utility bill sent to commercial operations, in addition to
including the charge for the utility itself (electricity, etc), also
should include:
--any fees imposed by the utilities commission in Pennsylvania
--a special gross receipts tax imposed on utilities
--state sales tax
Would you like me to provide more details about this as an answer to
your question, or are you absolutely in need of a copy of a bill.
Let me know.
pafalafa-ga
P.S. The above pertains to commercial operations...I haven't seen
anything (yet) that specifically addresses non-profits.
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Clarification of Question by
kwking-ga
on
25 Feb 2005 15:36 PST
If I can view the Electric Company charges and the sales tax amount
...that would be exactly what I need. For example: if XYZ Company has
a $10,000 electric bill for January and there is $600 of PA sales tax
(6%) - that's all I need to know.
Not sure what you meant by "the utility bill sent to commercial operations"?
Are ALL of the Electric Companies electric bills available at this
site - non-profits may be part of commercial bills.
No need to see an actual bill if the cridical information is available.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS....If you knock my socks off - are tips allowed??
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
25 Feb 2005 16:58 PST
kwking-ga,
First things first....SURE! Tips are allowed. Hope I can get you an
answer that warrants one.
But I'm still a mite confused about what you're after. Do you just
want to know the general sales tax charges that are charged on
electric bills, and other utilities?
Or are you looking for specific examples from an actual company that got billed.
I can get you the general answer. I doubt that the specific amounts
paid by any particular company are going to be out there in the public
domain.
To use an analogy...I can tell you how much sales tax a Wal Mart in
Pennsylvania would charge its customers, but I can't tell you how much
John Doe spent on his last shopping trip, or how much tax he paid.
Similarly, I can tell you what Duquesne Light charges for sales tax,
but not the amount billed to -- or paid by -- a specific company or
non-profit.
Would that meet your needs?
paf
|
Clarification of Question by
kwking-ga
on
25 Feb 2005 21:41 PST
I need specific electric bill information on commercial electric
customers. For example: the ultimate would be to log on to First
Energy and be able to look at every commercial electric bill in their
system. I specifically need to know if the customer pays sales tax.
You may be confused because there is a PA law that gives manufacturers
an exemption from paying sales tax on their utility bills. It is a
little complicated and the company must file the proper paperwork. If
they don't...they will be charged sales tax. It can amount to alot of
money and we try to help the customer get that money back from the
State and file the proper paperwork to stop the sales tax going
forward. Non-profits are the same...they are exempt but sometimes
mistakenly pay the sales tax because they fail to file the proper
paperwork with their utility company. We can get them a refund and
stop the tax going forward.I have been told that the info I need is on
the internet...I just can't find it. Keep trying...it is worth a BIG
tip!! THANKS
|
Clarification of Question by
kwking-ga
on
25 Feb 2005 21:50 PST
Just re-read your prior response and I'm not sure that I properly
answered your question. I do need specific information on a customer's
electric bill. I need to know what the customers total bill is and how
much sales tax is on the bill.For example: I know that the PA sales
tax is 6% or 7% depending on the city. However, a manufacturer who's
electric cost $10,000 could have sales tax on their bill of $600 (the
full 6%); $0 of sales tax if they are 100% exempt; or any amount in
between if they are a certain percentage exempt. They could be 80%
sales tax exempt if they use 80% of their electricity in their
manufacturing operation. I need to find the manufacturing customer
who is paying the full 6% sales tax on their utility bill and get them
a refund for what they overpaid and stop the sales tax going forward.
Hope that helps.
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
26 Feb 2005 15:15 PST
kwking-ga,
Thanks for clarifying what you need. I don't know of any source of
information that will publicly identify who's paying what in terms of
sales tax in PA, and without that, I don't see quite how to answer
your question.
However, have you considered getting hold of a mailing (or telephone
contact) list for all PA manufacturers and/or non-profits?
These can generally be ranked by size, so that if you were only
interested in, say, companies over the $10 million revenue mark, such
a list can usually be created.
Beyond that, I'm not sure what other options you may have. Best of luck, though.
pafalafa-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
kwking-ga
on
28 Feb 2005 20:17 PST
I already have a complete list of manufacturers and non-profits.Need
to know if they are paying sales tax on their specific utility bills.
I would be very suprised if that information is NOT available
somehow.I have never used this service before and don't know if you
have given up or if there is any chance of finding the info. that I
need. I appreciate your efforts!
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
28 Feb 2005 20:30 PST
kwking,
Thanks for trying Google Answers.
I must admit, I don't know where to turn at this point. I've never
seen anything to suggest that sales tax paid by individual companies
is publicly-available information (if you have reason to suppose
otherwise, please let me know!).
Your question remains open to all my fellow researchers, and if any of
them have something to add -- or can provide you with an answer -- I'm
sure they will come forward.
And if your question goes unanswered, you are only charged a 50 cents
listing fee, nothing more.
But let's hope an answer is forthcoming...
paf
|
Clarification of Question by
kwking-ga
on
01 Mar 2005 05:24 PST
It is not necessary to see the "actual" utility bills....but the
specific information on the bills is what I need.
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