Bandwidth taxation describes a form of institutional burden that consumes the time, attention, and emotional energy of families navigating complex systems. Rather than denying services outright, institutions impose layers of administrative work—forms to complete, meetings to attend, emails to follow up on, and documentation to repeatedly provide. Each demand draws from the limited “bandwidth” families have to advocate for their children. For families of disabled or marginalised students, this tax can become constant. Parents must learn specialised language, track shifting policies, and repair gaps in communication or documentation that should be handled by the system itself. While these processes are often described as collaborative, the practical responsibility for keeping them functioning frequently falls on families. Over time, this administrative burden can discourage complaints, delay supports, and shift accountability away from institutions and onto those already carrying the heaviest load.