Access Line Tax (ALT)

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(Formerly 911 Emergency Response Fee)

The City of Palm Springs imposes an Access Line Tax on every person who subscribes to telephone communication services within the City of Palm Springs, to the extent permitted by Federal and State law. On November 3, 2009, voters approved an amendment to the Emergency Response Fee ordinance, originally adopted in July 2004, and adopted Ordinance 1765 to improve and maintain the City's Emergency Communication System, improving our ability to respond to life-threatening events, public safety emergencies, and natural disasters.

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Pursuant to Palm Springs Municipal Code §3.39.050, voters approved an annual adjustment in the Access Line Tax in accordance with the increase of the Consumer Price Index. On February 8, 202 4, the Palm Springs City Council approved an increase in the ALT of 4.7% to the current rates (as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period of January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023). Based on the CPI, the annual adjustment is eight (8) cents per month per access line, and fifty-eight (58) cents per month per trunk line. Providers should begin collecting this adjusted tax by no later than May 1, 2024. The adjusted rates are as follows:

Access Line $1.70 per month per access line
Trunk Line $12.85 per month per trunk line

Telecommunication providers are required to collect and remit the Access Line Tax to the City on a monthly basis, by the twentieth (20th) day of the following month. For more information concerning the City's Access Line Tax, please contact the Finance Department at (760) 323-8299 or via email.