2021 Regulatory Fees Due in September

The FCC has adopted its final report and order for 2021 Annual Regulatory Fees, and in a break for commercial broadcasters, agreed to avoid substantial increases in regulatory fees (especially for radio).  The Media Bureau will issue a public notice in coming days announcing when the Fee Filer system will be opened for fees to be paid, and the deadline for making the payments.

Regulatory fees apply to commercial broadcast stations, unless exempt.  Stations can be exempt if the licensee is non-profit and has submitted its proof of non-profit status to the FCC, or if the licensee is a governmental entity.  A licensee with total regulatory fees less than $1,000 is also exempt from paying regulatory fees. Stations that are still being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can still opt to pay fees in portions under an installment plan.

As a reminder, regulatory fees must be paid for all broadcast facility licenses granted on or before October 1, 2020, and for initial construction permits that were granted on or before October 1, 2020 for AM/FM radio stations, VHF/UHF broadcast television stations, and satellite television stations.

Fees paid later than the required deadline will incur an automatic 25% penalty.  We will be in touch with clients that owe fees within a few days after fee and deadline information becomes available.  Use this link to log in and pay regulatory fees.  The FCC usually activates a regulatory fee “look up” function that was last available at this link.