HighLevel has removed the 5% Stripe processing markup from all Phone System usage charges. This update delivers clearer billing, true passthrough pricing, and improved compliance. This article explains what changed, which services are affected, and how to verify the updated usage billing inside your account.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Changed
- Key Benefits
- Messaging Charges Now at Passthrough Cost
- Voice Charges Now at Passthrough Cost
- How Billing Statements Look Now
- Tax Compliance Improvements
- How to Verify the Updated Billing in Your Account
- Go to Agency View
- Select Wallet & Transactions
- Use Advanced Filters to Confirm Passthrough Pricing
- Export Usage as CSV
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
- SEO Metadata
What Changed
HighLevel previously added a 5% markup to certain Phone System fees to offset Stripe processing costs.
As of October 1, 2025, this markup has been permanently removed.
HighLevel now covers Stripe’s processing fee internally, allowing all Phone System usage charges to appear at exact carrier passthrough cost.
Key Benefits
Transparent Billing — No more confusing markup or uplifted fees.
Lower Usage Costs — You pay only what the carrier charges.
Improved Compliance — Passthrough telecom fees remain non-taxable.
Consistency Across Phone System Features — SMS, MMS, A2P, Voice Intelligence, and Polly all follow the same passthrough billing model.
Messaging Charges Now at Passthrough Cost
The following messaging items now reflect true carrier pricing:
SMS carrier fees
MMS carrier fees
A2P 10DLC brand registration
A2P 10DLC campaign registration
Group messaging user fees
Voice Charges Now at Passthrough Cost
The following voice-related services now bill at exact passthrough cost:
Verified Caller ID
Voice Intelligence
Call transcription
Amazon Polly (text-to-speech)
How Billing Statements Look Now
Billing statements no longer include:
A 5% uplift
“Processing fees”
“×1.05” multipliers
You will now see only the raw carrier rate.
Tax Compliance Improvements
Passthrough telecommunications fees are typically non-taxable. Removing the markup ensures all Phone System usage remains categorized correctly and avoids tax-related inconsistencies across jurisdictions.
How to Verify the Updated Billing in Your Account
Follow these steps to confirm the 5% markup has been removed using the updated Wallet & Transactions page.
Step 1: Go to Agency View → Settings → Billing
Step 2: Select Wallet & Transactions → Detailed Transactions
This area displays all recent Phone System usage charges.
Step 3: Use Advanced Filters to Confirm Passthrough Pricing
Filter for Phone System usage.
Verify that the Total Amount for each entry equals the carrier rate with no markup applied.
Step 4: Export Usage as CSV
If you want to confirm accuracy, you can export your usage and compare it with Twilio’s public carrier pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to modify SaaS reselling prices?
No. Your custom SaaS markups remain unchanged.
Will my wallet last longer now?
Yes. Because charges are lower, your credits deplete more slowly.
Did HighLevel update past invoices?
No. Past invoices remain unchanged. The update applies only to usage on or after October 1, 2025.
Does this affect messaging discounts?
No. Discounts continue to apply, now calculated against true passthrough cost.
Does Auto-Recharge behavior change?
No. Auto-Recharge continues to work the same way as before.
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