2009 Registration Fee Increase?!?!

[intechpc]

Is this old news that I just missed (and couldn't find in a search of this forum)? I just got an email from our SDI telling us that USSF is raising the registration fees for referees. According to his email, this is the first time in 22 years they've done so. The timing sucks. At a time when gas prices are already killing our ability to do as many games as we'd like and our referee fees are barely covering our costs to get to some games, now the USSF is hitting us up for more money too. From the chart they sent, looks like the fees are about double what they were for 2008. Here's the breakdown we got:

Category/Type
Fee

Referee


Grade 1
$100

Grade 2
$100

Grade 3
$100

Grade 4
$100

Grade 5
$75

Grade 6
$75

Grade 7
$45

Grade 8
$40

Grade 9
$40

Grade 12
$40

Grade 13
$75

Grade 15
$75

Grade 16
$75

Indoor/Futsal - Grade 8
$45

Beach Soccer - Grade 8
$45

[ref47]

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8) cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-70.

In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2008. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.

"Rising gas prices are having a major impact on individual Americans. Given the increase in prices, the IRS is adjusting the standard mileage rates to better reflect the real cost of operating an automobile," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. "We want the reimbursement rate to be fair to taxpayers."



The recert cost in va/dc adds additional cost for the "clinic". add $25 more to the chart costs.

[intechpc]

Yeah, here too the organization, district, etc that sponsors the clinic charges a clinic fee, usually $20-25 as well. So for a new level 8 that's $65 just to get started before you've gotten a penny in game fees. It sure would be nice if they could come up with a way to help offset that for new referees.

[vabeacher]

I think it will cause a lot of casual referees to let their certications lapse. We have quite a few players/coaches who like to keep up to date with the LOTG, they may only referee a few weeks each season.

A lot of grade 8 kids will have to work lines for a full day just to pay back the cost of the recert. Individual associations need to come up with some ways to take the stink out of the recert cost. What about withholding $10 or $20 from each paycheck, until the fees are paid?

[refereejoe]

Evidently USSF is attempting to solve the problem with retaining referees by ensuring we won't have any to begin with.

[IASocFan]

Also assignor: $100

I've been an unpaid high school crew chief, for the last two years. For $30, it seemed reasonable to take the assigning course and pay the dues.

I'm definitely considering NOT paying for next year.

[gosellit]

Also assignor: $100

I've been an unpaid high school crew chief, for the last two years. For $30, it seemed reasonable to take the assigning course and pay the dues.

I'm definitely considering NOT paying for next year.

USSF reconsidered the assignor fee. It will stay the same for 2009.

[IASocFan]

USSF reconsidered the assignor fee. It will stay the same for 2009.

You made my day! :D

It's disappointing, that I heard it here instead of from USSF!

[Ref Flunkie]

Uh didn't grade 8 and 7 maybe go up by $5-10? Whoopdy do. We never pay anything else for our clinics over the standard registration fee. I have no problem with USSF increasing their fees occasionally (I believe we call it inflation), but they SHOULD then pressure local leagues to also raise their fees for referees, as most of us I'm sure havent seen a raise in 5+ years.

[Gary V]

Uh didn't grade 8 and 7 maybe go up by $5-10? Whoopdy do. We never pay anything else for our clinics over the standard registration fee. I have no problem with USSF increasing their fees occasionally (I believe we call it inflation), but they SHOULD then pressure local leagues to also raise their fees for referees, as most of us I'm sure havent seen a raise in 5+ years.

I don't know where you took your class, Chris. Michigan Ref Committee charged $50 for original cert and $40 for recert last year.

And some leagues have been increasing the referee fees. MSPSP went up quite significantly a year or two ago.

I agree though, with the higher fees and higher gas costs, we're all due for an increase. The clubs can afford it - referee fees make up such a small percentage of their costs it's ridiculous. Kinda like couples who spend multi-thousands on their wedding, and then object to paying the minister $100 or $200.

[Ref Flunkie]

I don't know where you took your class, Chris. Michigan Ref Committee charged $50 for original cert and $40 for recert last year.

And some leagues have been increasing the referee fees. MSPSP went up quite significantly a year or two ago.

I agree though, with the higher fees and higher gas costs, we're all due for an increase. The clubs can afford it - referee fees make up such a small percentage of their costs it's ridiculous. Kinda like couples who spend multi-thousands on their wedding, and then object to paying the minister $100 or $200.

Yeah, but others were saying (I think) they were charging ON TOP OF recert fees. When I go to recerts, I only pay for the registration fee, not an additional one just to have them host the darn thing!

I know MSPSP went up, but I think that was 2+ years ago and I know MUSL/MPSL have not gone up since I started doing them at least 5+ years ago. At this point, I wait to see if I can get MSPSP youth matches before accepting mens amateur because you can get up to 25% more money for 100% less grief. As you said, all of these increases went into effect before travel costs went up so dramatically.

[intechpc]

Uh didn't grade 8 and 7 maybe go up by $5-10? Whoopdy do. We never pay anything else for our clinics over the standard registration fee. I have no problem with USSF increasing their fees occasionally (I believe we call it inflation), but they SHOULD then pressure local leagues to also raise their fees for referees, as most of us I'm sure havent seen a raise in 5+ years.


I believe 9&8's were $20 or $25 last year, meaning they've about doubled. To be fair I don't mind them increasing fees. Where I have the issue is the proportion of increase and the timing in relation to referees already feeling a financial pinch and considering not reffing as much.

[ref47]

it cost me $65 to recert as a 6 for 2008. it will cost me $100 for 2009. (dcv)
i work a lot of games so this is a minor cost for me. but, those who work few games may feel the pinch. i use to travel to tournaments around the state. at 58 cents per mi to drive, i stay as local as possible these days.

[Ref Flunkie]

I believe 9&8's were $20 or $25 last year, meaning they've about doubled. To be fair I don't mind them increasing fees. Where I have the issue is the proportion of increase and the timing in relation to referees already feeling a financial pinch and considering not reffing as much.

Hmm, maybe I'm wrong then. I thought I paid like $35-40 last year (online renewal) and was just for the registration. Well shoot, if they are doubling it, then that is a bit silly. I can see a 10-20% increase, but what exactly do they need all this extra money for, and will we actually see anything out of it? Yet another reason not to upgrade any farther.

[intechpc]

Yet another reason not to upgrade any farther.

After I passed my 7 assessment, my SDA was already talking to me about going for my 6. Couple the new higher fees with the extra amounts of gas I need to spend to get to games that are farter away in order to maintain my level and I'm seriously thinking maybe going for the 6 just isn't worth it.

[Gary V]

I thought I paid like $35-40 last year (online renewal)You did - that included the cost of the recert class. Only $25 of that was for your registration, $12.50 of which went to USSF. The rest stayed in Michigan.

[Ref Flunkie]

After I passed my 7 assessment, my SDA was already talking to me about going for my 6. Couple the new higher fees with the extra amounts of gas I need to spend to get to games that are farter away in order to maintain my level and I'm seriously thinking maybe going for the 6 just isn't worth it.

Yeah I've been asked a couple times by some folks (more in passing I think then seriously trying to push me), and I'm with you on this. I do this because it is basically a fun hobby that I get paid to do. For someone that gets more then enough work doing premier youth matches with the occasional adult games tossed in, where is the incentive to upgrade (especially when the youth matches pay better then the adult ones)? I'd like to do it just to say I did it, but is it really worth the extra costs and hassle? Those are the questions that I need to answer I guess.

[GKbenji]

Couple the new higher fees with the extra amounts of gas I need to spend to get to games that are farter away in order to maintain my level and I'm seriously thinking maybe going for the 6 just isn't worth it.

Just took care of your "gas" problem right there! :)

[andymoss]

Got my 2009 registration paperwork in the mail today and logged on to register for '09.

USSF Referee Registration is $75 for grade 6.
State fee is $30.

Making annual fee $105.

Will we get extra match $$ to offset some of this AND the increase in petrol prices?

Rhetorical question BTW....

[OldAndNew]

Maybe they'll then have enough money to make the ATR available in printable pdf version - instead of forcing us to buy it in printed form from them.