FCC Annual Regulatory Fees Due by Sept. 25

posted on 9.08.2025

The FCC has set a deadline of 10:59PM CDT on Sept. 25 for the payment of broadcasters’ FCC annual regulatory fees.

Technically, the FY 2025 regulatory fees will not become effective until the FCC’s Report and Order is published in the Federal Register, but the FCC said broadcasters “at their own discretion, may submit payments at any time before the FY 2025 regulatory fees due date.” 

The FCC reminds stations that it has discontinued the use of the Fee Filer system and incorporated this payment system into the Commission Registration System (CORES). 

The commission also has instituted a mandatory electronic payment policy, which means that licensees will not be able to make regulatory fee payments by check, money order, or cashier’s check. 

Only credit card, ACH, and wire transfer payments will be accepted.

You must be registered with the FCC at https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/login.htm to use CORES.  

Once your FCC username is registered and verified, you can access CORES and select the option to associate your existing FRN with that username, if you have not already done so. 

To make a FY 2025 regulatory fee payment, login to the following website using your username and password: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do.  

Broadcasters should consult the FY 2025 Regulatory Fees Report and Order for specific information concerning regulatory fee payment obligations, the regulatory fee process, and regulatory fee requirements for payment. 

The FCC also publishes industry-specific guidance under the heading FY 2025 – Who Owes Fees and What Is My Fee, which can be found on the commission’s website at http://www.fcc.gov/regfees. 

Attorney David Oxenford of TAB Associate member law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer wrote this week about the regulatory fee report and order and addresses the payment process and other broadcaster considerations such as waivers, fee reductions, deferrals, and installment payment requests.

Broadcasters can find Oxenford’s BroadcastLawBlog piece here.

Oxenford noted earlier this summer that the full-power TV station annual regulatory fees represented “roughly a three percent decrease from the prior year,” and that radio fees would “change very little from those paid last year.”

Late Payment Penalties Can Be Substantial

The FCC is allowed under law to impose a late payment penalty of 25 percent of the unpaid amount to be assessed on the first day following the deadline for filing these fees, and thereafter, to assess interest on the unpaid fee and penalty until paid in full.

Two Texas stations found out earlier this year, at least temporarily, that the commission means business when it comes to on time payments. 

TAB implores broadcasters to make a timely payment of the stations’ FCC annual regulatory fees.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

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