Pay Your FCC Regulatory Fees or Lose Your License

The FCC has proposed to revoke the licenses of several Georgia stations for failing to pay their FCC regulatory Fees.  The stations involved had a long history of not paying the fees.  For example, according to the FCC, one station:

"The Commission’s records show that Licensee currently has unpaid regulatory fee debt of $2,604.15 for FY 2015; $2,625.20 for FY 2016; $2,078.14 for FY 2017; $1,916.40 for FY 2018; $2,130.22 for FY 2019; $2,061.98 for FY 2020; $2,253.11 for FY 2021; $2,260.70 for FY 2022; $2,025.25 for FY 2024; and $1,875.00 for FY 2025 for a total of $21,830.15. Additional interest and other charges will continue to accrue on these debts until they are paid in full."

After notifying the Treasury and without any action, the FCC has commenced the process of revoking the station’s license.  

"The Commission has authority under section 9a(c)(4) of the Act and section 1.1164(f) of the Rules to revoke licenses and authorizations for failure to pay regulatory fees (or related interest or penalties) in a timely fashion."

In this case, the FCC gave the station 60 days to provide evidence that the fees were paid.

Licensee is hereby notified that failure to provide such evidence of payment or to show cause within the time specified may result in revocation of Licensee’s license for the Station.

Bottom line – the FCC will not forget if you fail to pay your regulatory fees.  It may take some time, but it will revoke your license.

You can see the FCC’s decision here.