Title 26Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73

§4082 Exemptions for diesel fuel and kerosene

Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle D— - Miscellaneous Excise Taxes › Chapter CHAPTER 32— - MANUFACTURERS EXCISE TAXES › Subchapter Subchapter A— - Automotive and Related Items › Part PART III— - PETROLEUM PRODUCTS › Subpart Subpart A— - Motor and Aviation Fuels › § 4082

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Diesel and kerosene are not taxed under section 4081 if the Treasury Secretary finds they will be used in ways that are already tax-exempt, if they are permanently dyed by a mechanical dye-injection system under Treasury rules, and if they meet any marking rules the Secretary sets. "Nontaxable use" means uses listed as exempt in section 4041(a)(1) (except when tax was already paid), use in a train, or the particular use named in section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii)(II). The dye rule has some exceptions. It does not apply in places that the EPA has exempted from dyeing under Clean Air Act section 211(i) when the use is certified. Kerosene used as a raw material to make other products (not gasoline, diesel, or certain special fuels), kerosene received by pipeline or vessel, and kerosene sold by certain registered wholesale distributors to certain vendors can be exempt from the dye requirement under regulations. Kerosene put directly into an aircraft fuel tank and already exempt under section 4041(c) has a zero tax rate under 4081(a)(2)(A)(iii), and flights in foreign trade also avoid the increase under 4081(a)(2)(B). The small extra tax that funds the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund is normally not covered by the exemption, but the Secretary can allow the exemption for fuel destined for export or for vessel supplies in foreign trade. The Secretary must make rules, including clear labels on retail pumps and delivery points to show which fuel is only for tax-free uses. For train and certain bus tax-free fuel rules, see parts of section 4041.

Full Legal Text

Title 26, §4082

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The tax imposed by section 4081 shall not apply to diesel fuel and kerosene—
(1)which the Secretary determines is destined for a nontaxable use,
(2)which is indelibly dyed by mechanical injection in accordance with regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, and
(3)which meets such marking requirements (if any) as may be prescribed by the Secretary in regulations.
(b)For purposes of this section, the term “nontaxable use” means—
(1)any use which is exempt from the tax imposed by section 4041(a)(1) other than by reason of a prior imposition of tax,
(2)any use in a train, and
(3)any use described in section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii)(II).
(c)Paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to any diesel fuel and kerosene—
(1)removed, entered, or sold in a State for ultimate sale or use in an area of such State during the period such area is exempted from the fuel dyeing requirements under subsection (i) of section 211 of the Clean Air Act (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this subsection) by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under paragraph (4) of such subsection (i) (as so in effect), and
(2)the use of which is certified pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary.
(d)(1)Subsection (a)(2) shall not apply to kerosene—
(A)received by pipeline or vessel for use by the person receiving the kerosene in the manufacture or production of any substance (other than gasoline, diesel fuel, or special fuels referred to in section 4041), or
(B)to the extent provided in regulations, removed or entered—
(i)for such a use by the person removing or entering the kerosene, or
(ii)for resale by such person for such a use by the purchaser,
(2)To the extent provided in regulations, subsection (a)(2) shall not apply to kerosene received by a wholesale distributor of kerosene if such distributor—
(A)is registered under section 4101 with respect to the tax imposed by section 4081 on kerosene, and
(B)sells kerosene exclusively to ultimate vendors described in section 6427(l)(5)(B) with respect to kerosene.
(e)In the case of kerosene (other than kerosene with respect to which tax is imposed under section 4043) which is exempt from the tax imposed by section 4041(c) (other than by reason of a prior imposition of tax) and which is removed from any refinery or terminal directly into the fuel tank of an aircraft—
(1)the rate of tax under section 4081(a)(2)(A)(iii) shall be zero, and
(2)if such aircraft is employed in foreign trade or trade between the United States and any of its possessions, the increase in such rate under section 4081(a)(2)(B) shall be zero.
(f)(1)Subsection (a) shall not apply to the tax imposed under section 4081 at the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate.
(2)Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any fuel if the Secretary determines that such fuel is destined for export or for use by the purchaser as supplies for vessels (within the meaning of section 4221(d)(3)) employed in foreign trade or trade between the United States and any of its possessions.
(g)The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section, including regulations requiring the conspicuous labeling of retail diesel fuel and kerosene pumps and other delivery facilities to assure that persons are aware of which fuel is available only for nontaxable uses.
(h)For tax on train and certain bus uses of fuel purchased tax-free, see subsections (a)(1) and (d)(3) of section 4041.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Subsection (i) of section 211 of the Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is classified to section 7545(i) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–188, which was approved Aug. 20, 1996.

Amendments

2012—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–95 inserted “(other than kerosene with respect to which tax is imposed under section 4043)” after “In the case of kerosene” in introductory provisions. 2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–172, § 6(d)(2)(B)(i), struck out “(other than such tax at the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate imposed in all cases other than for export)” after “section 4081” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(a)(28), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of this section, the term ‘nontaxable use’ means— “(1) any use which is exempt from the tax imposed by section 4041(a)(1) other than by reason of a prior imposition of tax, “(2) any use in a train, and “(3) any use described in section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii)(II). The term ‘nontaxable use’ does not include the use of kerosene in an aircraft and such term shall not include any use described in section 6421(e)(2)(C).” See 2004 Amendment notes below. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–172, § 6(d)(2)(C)(ii), designated last sentence as concluding provisions. Pub. L. 110–172, § 6(d)(2)(C)(i), substituted “an aircraft—” and pars. (1) and (2) for “an aircraft, the rate of tax under section 4081(a)(2)(A)(iii) shall be zero.” Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 110–172, § 6(d)(2)(B)(ii), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsecs. (f) and (g) as (g) and (h), respectively. 2006—Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–432 substituted “6427(l)(5)(B)” for “6427(l)(6)(B)”. 2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–58 inserted “(other than such tax at the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate imposed in all cases other than for export)” after “section 4081” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11161(a)(4)(A), struck out “aviation-grade” before “kerosene” in concluding provisions. Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11161(b)(3)(C), substituted “section 6427(l)(6)(B)” for “section 6427(l)(5)(B)”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11161(a)(4)(E), in heading substituted “Kerosene removed into an aircraft” for “Aviation-grade kerosene” and in text struck out “aviation-grade” before “kerosene”, substituted “section 4081(a)(2)(A)(iii)” for “section 4081(a)(2)(A)(iv)”, and inserted at end “For purposes of this subsection, any removal described in section 4081(a)(3)(A) shall be treated as a removal from a terminal but only if such terminal is located within a secure area of an airport.” 2004—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–357, § 854(a), inserted “by mechanical injection” after “indelibly dyed”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(a)(5)(B)(i), inserted at end “The term ‘nontaxable use’ does not include the use of aviation-grade kerosene in an aircraft.” Pub. L. 108–357, § 851(d)(2), which directed amendment of subsec. (b) by inserting “and such term shall not include any use described in section 6421(e)(2)(C)” before period at end, was executed by making the insertion after amendment by Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(a)(5)(B)(i), to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See above. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 108–357, § 857(a), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “any use described in section 6427(b)(1) (after the application of section 6427(b)(3)).” Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(a)(5)(B)(ii), redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (1) and (2), respectively, and struck out heading and text of former par. (1). Text read as follows: “Subsection (a)(2) shall not apply to aviation-grade kerosene (as determined under

Regulations

prescribed by the Secretary) which the Secretary determines is destined for use as a fuel in an aircraft.” Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(a)(5)(A), added subsec. (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(a)(5)(A), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(a)(5)(A), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g). Pub. L. 108–357, § 241(a)(2)(B), which directed substitution of “subsections (a)(1) and (d)(3) of section 4041” for “section 4041(a)(1)” in subsec. (f), was executed by making the substitution in subsec. (g) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the amendment by Pub. L. 108–357, § 853(a)(5)(A). See Amendment note above and

Effective Date

of 2004 Amendment notes below. 1998—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 105–206, § 6010(h)(3), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Subsection (a)(2) shall not apply to a removal, entry, or sale of aviation-grade kerosene (as determined under

Regulations

prescribed by the Secretary) if the person receiving the kerosene is registered under section 4101 with respect to the tax imposed by section 4091.” Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–206, § 6010(h)(4), substituted “kerosene received by” for “a removal, entry, or sale of kerosene to” in introductory provisions. 1997—Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(e)(3)(A), inserted “and kerosene” after “diesel fuel” in section catchline. Subsecs. (a), (c). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(c)(1), substituted “diesel fuel and kerosene” for “diesel fuel” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(c)(2), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(c)(1), substituted “diesel fuel and kerosene” for “diesel fuel”. Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1032(c)(2), redesignated subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively. 1996—Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 104–188 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively. 1993—Pub. L. 103–66 amended heading and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “(a) Gasoline.—For purposes of this subpart, the term ‘gasoline’ includes, to the extent prescribed in

Regulations

— “(1) gasoline blend stocks, and “(2) products commonly used as additives in gasoline. For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ‘gasoline blend stocks’ means any petroleum product component of gasoline. “(b) Certain Uses Defined as Removal.—If a refiner, importer, terminal operator, blender, or compounder uses (other than in the production of gasoline or special fuels referred to in section 4041) gasoline refined, imported, blended, or compounded by him, such use shall for the purposes of this chapter be considered a removal.” 1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–514 amended subsec. (a) generally, substituting definitions of “gasoline” and “gasoline blended stocks” for definition of “producer”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–514 amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions that certain use of gasoline be considered removal for provisions defining “gasoline”. Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 99–514, in amending section generally, struck out subsecs. (c) to (e) which defined “sales”, “wholesale distributor”, and “producer”, respectively. 1984—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–369, § 733(a), in amending subsec. (d) generally, redesignated existing provisions of par. (1) as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B), and in par. (2) inserted “but only if such person” before “elects”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–369, § 734(c)(1), added subpar. (e). 1970—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–258 substituted “special fuels referred to in section 4041” for “special motor fuels referred to in section 4041(b)”. 1965—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–44, § 802(a)(1), substituted “gasoline which are suitable for use as a motor fuel” for “gasoline (including casinghead and natural gasoline”. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 89–44, § 802(b)(1), struck out “and give a bond” after “elects to register”. 1959—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 86–342, § 201(e)(1), inserted reference to wholesale distributor. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 86–342, § 201(e)(2), added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2012 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 112–95 applicable to fuel used after Mar. 31, 2012, see section 1103(d)(1) of Pub. L. 112–95, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 4043 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2007 Amendment

Amendments

by section 6(d)(2)(B), (C)(i) of Pub. L. 110–172 effective as if included in the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109–58, to which such

Amendments

relate, and amendment by section 6(d)(2)(C)(ii) of Pub. L. 110–172 effective as if included in section 11161 of the SAFETEA–LU, Pub. L. 109–59, see section 6(e) of Pub. L. 110–172, set out as a note under section 30C of this title.

Effective Date

of 2006 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 109–432 applicable to kerosene sold after Sept. 30, 2005, with special rule for pending claims, see section 420(c) of Pub. L. 109–432, set out as a note under section 6427 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2005

Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–59 applicable to fuels or liquids removed, entered, or sold after Sept. 30, 2005, see section 11161(e) of Pub. L. 109–59, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 109–58 effective Oct. 1, 2005, and applicable to fuel entered, removed, or sold after Sept. 30, 2005, see section 1362(d) of Pub. L. 109–58, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date

of 2004 AmendmentAmendment by section 241(a)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 108–357 effective Jan. 1, 2005, see section 241(c) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title. Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 851(d)(4), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1609, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this subsection [amending this section and section 6421 and 6427 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004].” Amendment by section 853(a)(5) 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, § 854(d), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1616, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by subsections (a) and (c) [enacting section 6715A of this title and amending this section] shall take effect on the 180th day after the date on which the Secretary issues the

Regulations

described in subsection (b) [set out as a note below] [Such

Regulations

were issued effective Oct. 24, 2005. See 70 F.R. 21332.].” Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 857(d), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1617, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section and section 6427 of this title] shall apply to fuel sold after December 31, 2004.”

Effective Date

of 1998 AmendmentAmendment 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.

Effective Date

of 1997 AmendmentAmendment by 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.

Effective Date

of 1996 Amendment Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1801(b), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1892, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to fuel removed, entered, or sold on or after the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 20, 1996].”

Effective Date

of 1993 AmendmentAmendment 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.

Effective Date

of 1986 AmendmentAmendment 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.

Effective Date

of 1984 Amendment Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 733(b),
July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 977, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [
July 18, 1984].” Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 734(c)(3),
July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 979, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this subsection [amending this section and section 6427 of this title] shall take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984].”

Effective Date

of 1970 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 91–258 effective July 1, 1970, see section 211(a) of Pub. L. 91–258, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1965 Amendment Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 802(d)(1), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 159, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by subsections (a)(1), (b), and (c) [amending this section and section 4101, 4222, 7103, and 7232 of this title] shall apply with respect to articles sold on or after July 1, 1965.”

Effective Date

of 1959 Amendment Pub. L. 86–342, title II, § 201(e)(3), Sept. 21, 1959, 73 Stat. 615, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by paragraphs (1) and (2) [amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 1960.”

Regulations

Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 854(b), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1615, provided that: “Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004], the Secretary of the Treasury shall issue

Regulations

regarding mechanical dye injection systems described in the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section], and such

Regulations

shall include standards for making such systems tamper resistant.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

26 U.S.C. § 4082

Title 26Internal Revenue Code

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73