Tax refund on Federal Excise Tax question

I don't keep our old phone bills; but the way I read this it looks like pretty much anyone who paid for long distance phone calls during the time period mentioned in the 1040 instructions can take the standard refund. What do you think?

if you have a phone, i'd take it. there's no way they'd check to see if you made long distance calls. ken

The answer is "yes".

The instructions for line 71 are clear. You can claim the standard amount whether or not you actually paid that much. The only requirement is a good faith belief that you were billed for some federal telephone excise tax on long distance or bundled service between March 1, 2003 and July 31, 2006. As stated in the instructions,

You can request the standard amount or the actual amount you paid.

Click to expand...

It's your choice as to which method you use.

Thank you both !!