26 U.S.C. § 4083 (INTERNAL REVENUE CODE)
§ 4083. Definitions; special rule; administrative authority
(a) Taxable fuel
For purposes of this subpart—
(1) In general
The term “taxable fuel” means—
(A) gasoline,
(B) diesel fuel, and
(C) kerosene.
(2) Gasoline
The term “gasoline”—
(A) includes any gasoline blend, other than qualified methanol or ethanol fuel (as defined in section 4041(b)(2)(B)), partially exempt methanol or ethanol fuel (as defined in section 4041(m)(2)), or a denatured alcohol, and
(B) includes, to the extent prescribed in regulations—
(i) any gasoline blend stock, and
(ii) any product commonly used as an additive in gasoline (other than alcohol).
For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i), the term “gasoline blend stock” means any petroleum product component of gasoline.
(3) Diesel fuel
(A) In general
The term “diesel fuel” means—
(i) any liquid (other than gasoline) which is suitable for use as a fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle, or a diesel-powered train,
(ii) transmix, and
(iii) diesel fuel blend stocks identified by the Secretary.
(B) Transmix
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “transmix” means a byproduct of refined products pipeline operations created by the mixing of different specification products during pipeline transportation.
(b) Commercial aviation
For purposes of this subpart, the term “commercial aviation” means any use of an aircraft in a business of transporting persons or property for compensation or hire by air, unless properly allocable to any transportation exempt from the taxes imposed by sections 4261 and 4271 by reason of section 4281 or 4282 or by reason of subsection (h) or (i) of section 4261. Such term shall not include the use of any aircraft before October 1, 2028, if tax is imposed under section 4043 with respect to the fuel consumed in such use or if no tax is imposed on such use under section 4043 by reason of subsection (c)(5) thereof.
(c) Certain uses defined as removal
If any person uses taxable fuel (other than in the production of taxable fuels or special fuels referred to in section 4041), such use shall for the purposes of this chapter be considered a removal.
(d) Administrative authority
(1) In general
In addition to the authority otherwise granted by this title, the Secretary may in administering compliance with this subpart, section 4041, and penalties and other administrative provisions related thereto—
(A) enter any place at which taxable fuel is produced or is stored (or may be stored) for purposes of—
(i) examining the equipment used to determine the amount or composition of such fuel and the equipment used to store such fuel,
(ii) taking and removing samples of such fuel, and
(iii) inspecting any books and records and any shipping papers pertaining to such fuel, and
(B) detain, for the purposes referred in subparagraph (A), any container which contains or may contain any taxable fuel.
(2) Inspection sites
The Secretary may establish inspection sites for purposes of carrying out the Secretary’s authority under paragraph (1)(B).
(3) Penalty for refusal of entry
(A) Forfeiture
The penalty provided by section 7342 shall apply to any refusal to admit entry or other refusal to permit an action by the Secretary authorized by paragraph (1), except that section 7342 shall be applied by substituting “$1,000” for “$500” for each such refusal.
(B) Assessable penalty
For additional assessable penalty for the refusal to admit entry or other refusal to permit an action by the Secretary authorized by paragraph (1), see section 6717.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 483; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVII, § 1703(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2776; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13242(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 517; Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 902(b)(3), title X, § 1032(a), (e)(4), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 873, 933, 935; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6010(h)(1), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 815; Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 301(c)(8), title VIII, §§ 853(b), 858(a), 859(b)(1), 870(a), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1461, 1611, 1617, 1618, 1623; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11123(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1952; Pub. L. 112–95, title XI, § 1103(b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 151; Pub. L. 114–55, title II, § 202(c)(1), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 525; Pub. L. 114–141, title II, § 202(c)(1), Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 324; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1202(c)(1), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 619; Pub. L. 115–63, title II, § 202(c)(1), Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1171; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 202(c)(1), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1048; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VIII, § 802(c)(2), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3429; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2212(c)(2), Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 118–34, title II, § 202(c)(2), Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1116; Pub. L. 118–41, title II, § 202(c)(2), Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 24; Pub. L. 118–63, title XIII, § 1302(c)(2), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1433.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2024—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–63 substituted “October 1, 2028” for “May 11, 2024”.
Pub. L. 118–41 substituted “May 11, 2024” for “March 9, 2024”.
2023—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–34 substituted “March 9, 2024” for “January 1, 2024”.
Pub. L. 118–15 substituted “January 1, 2024” for “October 1, 2023”.
2018—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–254 substituted “October 1, 2023” for “October 1, 2018”.
Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “October 1, 2018” for “April 1, 2018”.
2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–63 substituted “April 1, 2018” for “October 1, 2017”.
2016—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–190 substituted “October 1, 2017” for “July 16, 2016”.
Pub. L. 114–141 substituted “July 16, 2016” for “April 1, 2016”.
2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–55 substituted “April 1, 2016” for “October 1, 2015”.
2012—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–95 inserted at end “Such term shall not include the use of any aircraft before October 1, 2015, if tax is imposed under section 4043 with respect to the fuel consumed in such use or if no tax is imposed on such use under section 4043 by reason of subsection (c)(5) thereof.”
2005—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “subsection (h) or (i) of section 4261” for “section 4261(h)”.
2004—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–357, § 301(c)(8), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) defined the term “gasoline”, to the extent prescribed in regulations, as including gasoline blend stocks and products commonly used as additives in gasoline, and defined the term “gasoline blend stock” as meaning any petroleum product component of gasoline.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 108–357, § 870(a), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) defined the term “diesel fuel” as meaning any liquid (other than gasoline) which is suitable for use as a fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle or a diesel-powered train.
Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(b), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(b), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d).
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 108–357, § 858(a), added cl. (iii).
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 108–357, § 859(b)(1), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted heading, and added subpar. (B).
1998—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–206 made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(a). See 1997 Amendment note below.
1997—Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(a), as amended by Pub. L. 105–206, § 6010(h)(1), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105–34, § 902(b)(3), substituted “or a diesel-powered train” for “, a diesel-powered train, or a diesel-powered boat”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(e)(4), substituted “taxable fuels” for “gasoline, diesel fuel,”.
1993—Pub. L. 103–66 amended heading and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
“(1) For provisions to relieve farmers from excise tax in the case of gasoline used on the farm for farming purposes, see section 6420.
“(2) For provisions to relieve purchasers of gasoline from excise tax in the case of gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes, used by local transit systems, or sold for certain exempt purposes, see section 6421.
“(3) For provisions to relieve purchasers of gasoline from excise tax in the case of gasoline not used for taxable purposes, see section 6427.”
1986—Pub. L. 99–514 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section 4083 “Exemption of sales to producer”, read as follows: “Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary the tax imposed by section 4081 shall not apply in the case of sales of gasoline to a producer of gasoline.”
1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 112–95, title XI, § 1103(d)(2), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 151, provided that: The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to uses of aircraft after March 31, 2012.”
heading: Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11123(c), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1952, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 4261 of this title] shall apply to transportation beginning after September 30, 2005.”
heading: Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 301(c)(8) of Pub. L. 108–357 applicable to fuel sold or used after Dec. 31, 2004, see section 301(d)(1) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out as a note under section 40 of this title.
Amendment by section 853(b) of Pub. L. 108–357 applicable to aviation-grade kerosene removed, entered, or sold after Dec. 31, 2004, see section 853(e) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 858(b), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1617, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004].”
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 859(c), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1618, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting section 6717 of this title and amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 2005.”
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 870(c), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1624, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section and section 6427 of this title] shall apply to fuel removed, sold, or used after December 31, 2004.”
heading: Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 105–206 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 6024 of Pub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 902(b)(3) of Pub. L. 105–34 effective Jan. 1, 1998, see section 902(c) of Pub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
Amendment by section 1032(a), (e)(4) of Pub. L. 105–34 effective July 1, 1998, see section 1032(f)(1) of Pub. L. 105–34, as amended, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 103–66 effective Jan. 1, 1994, see section 13242(e) of Pub. L. 103–66, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 99–514 applicable to gasoline removed (as defined in section 4082 of this title as amended by section 1703 of Pub. L. 99–514) after Dec. 31, 1987, see section 1703(h) of Pub. L. 99–514 set out as a note under section 4081 of this title.