I can confirm this info. The following is from the "News" section of my July 22 AT&T bill:
"EXCISE TAX MESSAGE
The U.S. Treasury Department has announced that it will no longer collect a 3% excise tax on long-distance plans and services. Eligible Customers will be able to file for refunds on their 2006 tax returns on taxes paid since March 2003. More details will be available from the IRS later this summer. Please check
www.irs.gov for more information."
Unfortunately, I didn't start paying for a phone until the house I bought was completed and moved into in February of 2005. I have all my old bills, and have only paid $1.72 in Federal taxes.
I use my cell phone is for long distance unless I'm faxing an order in to Bowen, which now has online ordering.