# 26 U.S.C. § 4081: Imposition of tax

Source: OLRC release point 119-134 <https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-134/t26/s4081>. Cite pinpoints as 26 U.S.C. § 4081(a)(1).

## § 4081(a) Tax imposed

**§ 4081(a)(1) Tax on removal, entry, or sale.**

**§ 4081(a)(1)(A) In general.** There is hereby imposed a tax at the rate specified in paragraph (2) on—

**§ 4081(a)(1)(A)(i)** the removal of a taxable fuel from any refinery,

**§ 4081(a)(1)(A)(ii)** the removal of a taxable fuel from any terminal,

**§ 4081(a)(1)(A)(iii)** the entry into the United States of any taxable fuel for consumption, use, or warehousing, and

**§ 4081(a)(1)(A)(iv)** the sale of a taxable fuel to any person who is not registered under section 4101 unless there was a prior taxable removal or entry of such fuel under clause (i), (ii), or (iii).

**§ 4081(a)(1)(B) Exemption for bulk transfers to registered terminals or refineries.**

**§ 4081(a)(1)(B)(i) In general.** The tax imposed by this paragraph shall not apply to any removal or entry of a taxable fuel transferred in bulk by pipeline or vessel to a terminal or refinery if the person removing or entering the taxable fuel, the operator of such pipeline or vessel (except as provided in clause (ii)), and the operator of such terminal or refinery are registered under section 4101.

**§ 4081(a)(1)(B)(ii) Nonapplication of registration to vessel operators entering by deep-draft vessel.** For purposes of clause (i), a vessel operator is not required to be registered with respect to the entry of a taxable fuel transferred in bulk by a vessel described in section 4042(c)(1).

**§ 4081(a)(2) Rates of tax.**

**§ 4081(a)(2)(A) In general.** The rate of the tax imposed by this section is—

**§ 4081(a)(2)(A)(i)** in the case of gasoline other than aviation gasoline, 18.3 cents per gallon,

**§ 4081(a)(2)(A)(ii)** in the case of aviation gasoline, 19.3 cents per gallon, and

**§ 4081(a)(2)(A)(iii)** in the case of diesel fuel or kerosene, 24.3 cents per gallon.

**§ 4081(a)(2)(B) Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund tax.** The rates of tax specified in subparagraph (A) shall each be increased by 0.1 cent per gallon. The increase in tax under this subparagraph shall in this title be referred to as the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate.

**§ 4081(a)(2)(C) Taxes imposed on fuel used in aviation.** In the case of kerosene which is removed from any refinery or terminal directly into the fuel tank of an aircraft for use in aviation, the rate of tax under subparagraph (A)(iii) shall be—

**§ 4081(a)(2)(C)(i)** in the case of use for commercial aviation by a person registered for such use under section 4101, 4.3 cents per gallon, and

**§ 4081(a)(2)(C)(ii)** in the case of use for aviation not described in clause (i), 21.8 cents per gallon.

**§ 4081(a)(2)(D) Diesel-water fuel emulsion.** In the case of diesel-water fuel emulsion at least 14 percent of which is water and with respect to which the emulsion additive is registered by a United States manufacturer with the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 211 of the Clean Air Act (as in effect on March 31, 2003), subparagraph (A)(iii) shall be applied by substituting “19.7 cents” for “24.3 cents”. The preceding sentence shall not apply to the removal, sale, or use of diesel-water fuel emulsion unless the person so removing, selling, or using such fuel is registered under section 4101.

**§ 4081(a)(3) Certain refueler trucks, tankers, and tank wagons treated as terminal.**

**§ 4081(a)(3)(A) In general.** For purposes of paragraph (2)(C), a refueler truck, tanker, or tank wagon shall be treated as part of a terminal if—

**§ 4081(a)(3)(A)(i)** such terminal is located within an airport,

**§ 4081(a)(3)(A)(ii)** any kerosene which is loaded in such truck, tanker, or wagon at such terminal is for delivery only into aircraft at the airport in which such terminal is located,

**§ 4081(a)(3)(A)(iii)** such truck, tanker, or wagon meets the requirements of subparagraph (B) with respect to such terminal, and

**§ 4081(a)(3)(A)(iv)** except in the case of exigent circumstances identified by the Secretary in regulations, no vehicle registered for highway use is loaded with kerosene at such terminal.

**§ 4081(a)(3)(B) Requirements.** A refueler truck, tanker, or tank wagon meets the requirements of this subparagraph with respect to a terminal if such truck, tanker, or wagon—

**§ 4081(a)(3)(B)(i)** has storage tanks, hose, and coupling equipment designed and used for the purposes of fueling aircraft,

**§ 4081(a)(3)(B)(ii)** is not registered for highway use, and

**§ 4081(a)(3)(B)(iii)** is operated by—

**§ 4081(a)(3)(B)(iii)(I)** the terminal operator of such terminal, or

**§ 4081(a)(3)(B)(iii)(II)** a person that makes a daily accounting to such terminal operator of each delivery of fuel from such truck, tanker, or wagon.

**§ 4081(a)(3)(C) Reporting.** The Secretary shall require under section 4101(d) reporting by such terminal operator of—

**§ 4081(a)(3)(C)(i)** any information obtained under subparagraph (B)(iii)(II), and

**§ 4081(a)(3)(C)(ii)** any similar information maintained by such terminal operator with respect to deliveries of fuel made by trucks, tankers, or wagons operated by such terminal operator.

**§ 4081(a)(3)(D) Applicable rate.** For purposes of paragraph (2)(C), in the case of any kerosene treated as removed from a terminal by reason of this paragraph—

**§ 4081(a)(3)(D)(i)** the rate of tax specified in paragraph (2)(C)(i) in the case of use described in such paragraph shall apply if such terminal is located within a secured area of an airport, and

**§ 4081(a)(3)(D)(ii)** the rate of tax specified in paragraph (2)(C)(ii) shall apply in all other cases.

**§ 4081(a)(4) Liability for tax on kerosene used in commercial aviation.** For purposes of paragraph (2)(C)(i), the person who uses the fuel for commercial aviation shall pay the tax imposed under such paragraph. For purposes of the preceding sentence, fuel shall be treated as used when such fuel is removed into the fuel tank.

## § 4081(b) Treatment of removal or subsequent sale by blender

**§ 4081(b)(1) In general.** There is hereby imposed a tax at the rate determined under subsection (a) on taxable fuel removed or sold by the blender thereof.

**§ 4081(b)(2) Credit for tax previously paid.** If—

**§ 4081(b)(2)(A)** tax is imposed on the removal or sale of a taxable fuel by reason of paragraph (1), and

**§ 4081(b)(2)(B)** the blender establishes the amount of the tax paid with respect to such fuel by reason of subsection (a),

the amount of the tax so paid shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by reason of paragraph (1).

## § 4081(c) Later separation of fuel from diesel-water fuel emulsion

If any person separates the taxable fuel from a diesel-water fuel emulsion on which tax was imposed under subsection (a) at a rate determined under subsection (a)(2)(D) (or with respect to which a credit or payment was allowed or made by reason of section 6427), such person shall be treated as the refiner of such taxable fuel. The amount of tax imposed on any removal of such fuel by such person shall be reduced by the amount of tax imposed (and not credited or refunded) on any prior removal or entry of such fuel.

## § 4081(d) Termination

**§ 4081(d)(1) In general.** The rates of tax specified in clauses (i) and (iii) of subsection (a)(2)(A) shall be 4.3 cents per gallon after September 30, 2028.

**§ 4081(d)(2) Aviation fuels.** The rates of tax specified in subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii) and (a)(2)(C)(ii) shall be 4.3 cents per gallon—

**§ 4081(d)(2)(A)** after December 31, 1996, and before the date which is 7 days after the date of the enactment of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund Tax Reinstatement Act of 1997, and

**§ 4081(d)(2)(B)** after September 30, 2028.

**§ 4081(d)(3) Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate.** The Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate under subsection (a)(2) shall apply after September 30, 1997, and before October 1, 2028.

## § 4081(e) Refunds in certain cases

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, if any person who paid the tax imposed by this section with respect to any taxable fuel establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a prior tax was paid (and not credited or refunded) with respect to such taxable fuel, then an amount equal to the tax paid by such person shall be allowed as a refund (without interest) to such person in the same manner as if it were an overpayment of tax imposed by this section.

## Regulations

- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-1](/26/reg/48.4081-1.md): Taxable fuel; definitions. (interprets § 4081)
- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-2](/26/reg/48.4081-2.md): Taxable fuel; tax on removal at a terminal rack. (interprets § 4081)
- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-3](/26/reg/48.4081-3.md): Taxable fuel; taxable events other than removal at the terminal rack. (interprets § 4081)
- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-4](/26/reg/48.4081-4.md): Gasoline; special rules for gasoline blendstocks. (interprets § 4081)
- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-5](/26/reg/48.4081-5.md): Taxable fuel; notification certificate of taxable fuel registrant. (interprets § 4081)
- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-6](/26/reg/48.4081-6.md): Gasoline; gasohol. (interprets § 4081)
- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-7](/26/reg/48.4081-7.md): Taxable fuel; conditions for refunds of taxable fuel tax under section 4081(e). (interprets § 4081)
- [Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-8](/26/reg/48.4081-8.md): Taxable fuel; measurement. (interprets § 4081)

## Forms named in the regulations

- [Form 637](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f637.pdf)
- [Form 8849](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8849.pdf)

## Final rules

- [72 FR 41222](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/07/27/E7-14491/entry-of-taxable-fuel) (2007): Entry of Taxable Fuel
- [69 FR 45587](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/07/30/04-17449/entry-of-taxable-fuel) (2004): Entry of Taxable Fuel
- [68 FR 15940](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/04/02/03-7812/diesel-fuel-blended-taxable-fuel) (2003): Diesel Fuel; Blended Taxable Fuel
- [66 FR 27597](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/05/18/01-12600/taxable-fuel-measurement) (2001): Taxable Fuel Measurement
- [65 FR 17149](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2000/03/31/00-7351/kerosene-tax-aviation-fuel-tax-taxable-fuel-measurement-and-reporting-tax-on-heavy-trucks-and) (2000): Kerosene Tax; Aviation Fuel Tax; Taxable Fuel Measurement and Reporting; Tax on Heavy Trucks and Trailers; Highway Vehicle Use Tax
- [63 FR 24](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1998/01/02/97-33988/gasoline-and-diesel-fuel-excise-tax-special-rules-for-alaska-definitions) (1998): Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Excise Tax; Special Rules for Alaska; Definitions

## Leading cases

- [Gurley v. Rhoden, 421 U.S. 200 (1975)](https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/109244/gurley-v-rhoden/)

## Proposed regulations (not in force)

- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-0](/26/prop/48.4081-0_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-1](/26/prop/48.4081-1_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-2](/26/prop/48.4081-2_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-3](/26/prop/48.4081-3_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-4](/26/prop/48.4081-4_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-5](/26/prop/48.4081-5_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-6](/26/prop/48.4081-6_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-7](/26/prop/48.4081-7_94-25763.md):  (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-8](/26/prop/48.4081-8_94-25763.md): Taxable fuel; measurement. (PS-66-93, proposed 1994-10-19)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-8](/26/prop/48.4081-8_96-31856.md):  (REG-247678-96, proposed 1996-12-17)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-1](/26/prop/48.4081-1_E8-17270.md):  (REG-155087-05, proposed 2008-07-29)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-2](/26/prop/48.4081-2_E8-17270.md): [Amended] (REG-155087-05, proposed 2008-07-29)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-3](/26/prop/48.4081-3_E8-17270.md): [Amended] (REG-155087-05, proposed 2008-07-29)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-6](/26/prop/48.4081-6_E8-17270.md): [Removed and Reserved] (REG-155087-05, proposed 2008-07-29)
- [Prop. Treas. Reg. § 48.4081-1](/26/prop/48.4081-1_2016-06881.md): [Amended] (REG-103380-05, proposed 2016-03-31)

## Connections

Cites: § 4042 Tax on fuel used in commercial transportation on inland waterways; § 4101 Registration and bond; § 6427 Fuels not used for taxable purposes

Cited by: § 40 Alcohol, etc., used as fuel; § 40A Biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel; § 4041 Imposition of tax; § 4042 Tax on fuel used in commercial transportation on inland waterways; § 4082 Exemptions for diesel fuel and kerosene; § 4105 Two-party exchanges; § 4221 Certain tax-free sales; § 6206 Special rules applicable to excessive claims under certain sections; § 6416 Certain taxes on sales and services; § 6420 Gasoline used on farms; § 6421 Gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes, used by local transit systems, or sold for certain exempt purposes; § 6426 Credit for alcohol fuel, biodiesel, and alternative fuel mixtures; § 6427 Fuels not used for taxable purposes; § 6430 Treatment of tax imposed at Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate; § 6435 Dyed fuel; § 9502 Airport and Airway Trust Fund; § 9503 Highway Trust Fund; § 9508 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund

Derived from: 1939 § 3412(a)-(f)

## Amendments

- 1954-08-16: [Act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736](/26/act/1954-ch736.md), 68A Stat. 483
- 1955-03-30: [Act Mar. 30, 1955, ch. 18](/26/act/1955-ch18.md), 69 Stat. 14
- 1956-03-29: [Act Mar. 29, 1956, ch. 115](/26/act/1956-ch115.md), 70 Stat. 66
- 1956-06-29: [Act June 29, 1956, ch. 462](/26/act/1956-ch462.md), 70 Stat. 389
- 1959-09-21: [Pub. L. 86-342](/26/act/86-342.md), 73 Stat. 613
- 1961-06-29: [Pub. L. 87-61](/26/act/87-61.md), 75 Stat. 123
- 1970-12-31: [Pub. L. 91-605](/26/act/91-605.md), 84 Stat. 1744
- 1976-05-05: [Pub. L. 94-280](/26/act/94-280.md), 90 Stat. 456
- 1978-11-06: [Pub. L. 95-599](/26/act/95-599.md), 92 Stat. 2756
- 1978-11-09: [Pub. L. 95-618](/26/act/95-618.md), 92 Stat. 3185
- 1980-04-02: [Pub. L. 96-223](/26/act/96-223.md), 94 Stat. 273
- 1983-01-06: [Pub. L. 97-424](/26/act/97-424.md), 96 Stat. 2169
- 1984-07-18: [Pub. L. 98-369](/26/act/98-369.md), 98 Stat. 976
- 1986-10-17: [Pub. L. 99-499](/26/act/99-499.md), 100 Stat. 1774
- 1986-10-22: [Pub. L. 99-514](/26/act/99-514.md), 100 Stat. 2774
- 1987-04-02: [Pub. L. 100-17](/26/act/100-17.md), 101 Stat. 256
- 1987-12-22: [Pub. L. 100-203](/26/act/100-203.md), 101 Stat. 1330
- 1988-11-10: [Pub. L. 100-647](/26/act/100-647.md), 102 Stat. 3575
- 1990-11-05: [Pub. L. 101-508](/26/act/101-508.md), 104 Stat. 1388
- 1991-12-18: [Pub. L. 102-240](/26/act/102-240.md), 105 Stat. 2203
- 1992-10-24: [Pub. L. 102-486](/26/act/102-486.md), 106 Stat. 3026
- 1993-08-10: [Pub. L. 103-66](/26/act/103-66.md), 107 Stat. 510
- 1996-08-20: [Pub. L. 104-188](/26/act/104-188.md), 110 Stat. 1841
- 1997-02-28: [Pub. L. 105-2](/26/act/105-2.md), 111 Stat. 4
- 1997-08-05: [Pub. L. 105-34](/26/act/105-34.md), 111 Stat. 929
- 1998-06-09: [Pub. L. 105-178](/26/act/105-178.md), 112 Stat. 499
- 2004-10-22: [Pub. L. 108-357](/26/act/108-357.md), 118 Stat. 1461
- 2005-03-31: [Pub. L. 109-6](/26/act/109-6.md), 119 Stat. 20
- 2005-08-08: [Pub. L. 109-58](/26/act/109-58.md), 119 Stat. 1051
- 2005-08-10: [Pub. L. 109-59](/26/act/109-59.md), 119 Stat. 1944
- 2007-12-26: [Pub. L. 110-161](/26/act/110-161.md), 121 Stat. 2381
- 2008-02-28: [Pub. L. 110-190](/26/act/110-190.md), 122 Stat. 643
- 2008-06-30: [Pub. L. 110-253](/26/act/110-253.md), 122 Stat. 2417
- 2008-09-30: [Pub. L. 110-330](/26/act/110-330.md), 122 Stat. 3717
- 2009-03-30: [Pub. L. 111-12](/26/act/111-12.md), 123 Stat. 1457
- 2009-10-01: [Pub. L. 111-69](/26/act/111-69.md), 123 Stat. 2054
- 2009-12-16: [Pub. L. 111-116](/26/act/111-116.md), 123 Stat. 3031
- 2010-03-31: [Pub. L. 111-153](/26/act/111-153.md), 124 Stat. 1084
- 2010-04-30: [Pub. L. 111-161](/26/act/111-161.md), 124 Stat. 1126
- 2010-07-02: [Pub. L. 111-197](/26/act/111-197.md), 124 Stat. 1353
- 2010-08-01: [Pub. L. 111-216](/26/act/111-216.md), 124 Stat. 2349
- 2010-09-30: [Pub. L. 111-249](/26/act/111-249.md), 124 Stat. 2627
- 2010-12-22: [Pub. L. 111-329](/26/act/111-329.md), 124 Stat. 3566
- 2011-03-31: [Pub. L. 112-7](/26/act/112-7.md), 125 Stat. 31
- 2011-05-31: [Pub. L. 112-16](/26/act/112-16.md), 125 Stat. 218
- 2011-06-29: [Pub. L. 112-21](/26/act/112-21.md), 125 Stat. 233
- 2011-08-05: [Pub. L. 112-27](/26/act/112-27.md), 125 Stat. 270
- 2011-09-16: [Pub. L. 112-30](/26/act/112-30.md), 125 Stat. 356
- 2012-01-31: [Pub. L. 112-91](/26/act/112-91.md), 126 Stat. 3
- 2012-02-14: [Pub. L. 112-95](/26/act/112-95.md), 126 Stat. 148
- 2012-03-30: [Pub. L. 112-102](/26/act/112-102.md), 126 Stat. 282
- 2012-06-29: [Pub. L. 112-140](/26/act/112-140.md), 126 Stat. 402
- 2012-07-06: [Pub. L. 112-141](/26/act/112-141.md), 126 Stat. 844
- 2015-09-30: [Pub. L. 114-55](/26/act/114-55.md), 129 Stat. 525
- 2015-12-04: [Pub. L. 114-94](/26/act/114-94.md), 129 Stat. 1727
- 2016-03-30: [Pub. L. 114-141](/26/act/114-141.md), 130 Stat. 324
- 2016-07-15: [Pub. L. 114-190](/26/act/114-190.md), 130 Stat. 619
- 2017-09-29: [Pub. L. 115-63](/26/act/115-63.md), 131 Stat. 1171
- 2018-03-23: [Pub. L. 115-141](/26/act/115-141.md), 132 Stat. 1048
- 2018-10-05: [Pub. L. 115-254](/26/act/115-254.md), 132 Stat. 3428
- 2021-11-15: [Pub. L. 117-58](/26/act/117-58.md), 135 Stat. 1327
- 2023-09-30: [Pub. L. 118-15](/26/act/118-15.md), 137 Stat. 85
- 2023-12-26: [Pub. L. 118-34](/26/act/118-34.md), 137 Stat. 1115
- 2024-03-08: [Pub. L. 118-41](/26/act/118-41.md), 138 Stat. 23
- 2024-05-16: [Pub. L. 118-63](/26/act/118-63.md), 138 Stat. 1433