Filing & Managing My 499s

Obtain a Filer ID

A new company can obtain a Filer ID only after submitting the FCC Form 499-A.

Why get a Filer ID?

The FCC’s rules require that upon entry or anticipated entry into telecommunications markets, a telecommunications provider must register by submitting information on the FCC Form 499-A and receiving a Filer ID for future filings.

It is not sufficient to file only the current period FCC Form 499-A and 499-Q if a telecommunications provider generated telecommunications revenue prior to the current reporting period. Telecommunications carriers must file an FCC Form 499-A for all prior periods of telecommunications revenue that have not yet been reported. When USAC notifies your company of its new Filer ID, the email will include instructions on any prior period forms that must be filed.

How do I get one?

You can get your Filer ID online using the E-File system. New filers should select the “New Contributor” link on the E-File login page and follow the instructions for filing for the first time.

Once you have filed and received a Filer ID and E-File user accounts, see the “Filing and Managing My 499” page for information about annual and quarterly filing.

What You Need to Know to File

• Give yourself a few hours to fill out the form. You must fill out the FCC Form 499-A in one sitting, as you will not be able to save your work as you complete the form.
• Before you start, you should have the following items ready:
• FCC registration number that can be obtained through the FCC CORES database,
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID Number,
• Contact information for your company and company officers,
• Contact information for the person you want to designate as the agent for service of process, and
• Revenue data, if any. This is not required if you are only registering your company.
• When you are ready to submit, click the “Click here to Preview and Submit the form” button and then print the form. Note: this will be your only chance to print.
• Have your Company Officer sign the last page of the form.
• Mail the form to:

USAC
Customer Operations
2000 L Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036

For questions about the online system, refer to the E-File User Guide or call Customer Operations at (888) 641-8722.

After Filing

USAC will certify the form using the signed copy, issue your company a Filer ID, and email the assigned user IDs and passwords to the Preparer and Certifying Officer listed on the FCC Form 499-A.

Once you complete the first certification process by mailing a signed copy of the form, you will then be able to certify future forms online without mailing a signed copy. In addition, you will be able to quickly revise your FCC Forms 499-A/Q by accessing your historical forms, editing and submitting your changes, and certifying them online.

A signed copy will be required again if your company changes officers. Once USAC certifies the form using the signed copy, the new officer will be issued a User ID and password for future use of the online system.