Title 26 — Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73
§4481 Imposition of tax
Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle D— - Miscellaneous Excise Taxes › Chapter CHAPTER 36— - CERTAIN OTHER EXCISE TAXES › Subchapter Subchapter D— - Tax on Use of Certain Vehicles › § 4481
Summary
A tax must be paid when a highway vehicle and its usual trailers together weigh at least 55,000 pounds. If the total weight is between 55,000 and 75,000 pounds, the tax is $100 a year plus $22 for each 1,000 pounds (or part of 1,000) over 55,000. If the total weight is over 75,000 pounds, the tax is $550. The person whose name is on the vehicle’s registration in the state or neighboring foreign country must pay. A U.S. agency pays for government-owned vehicles. If the vehicle is first used partway through the taxable period, or is sold, destroyed, or stolen before the last month and not used again, the tax is prorated by months. “Destroyed” means it costs more to rebuild than it’s worth. You cannot be taxed twice for the same vehicle in the same period. If you file a return for 25 or more vehicles you must file it electronically. The tax only applies to use before October 1, 2029.
Full Legal Text
Title 26, §4481
Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)A tax is hereby imposed on the use of any highway motor vehicle which (together with the semitrailers and trailers customarily used in connection with highway motor vehicles of the same type as such highway motor vehicle) has a taxable gross weight of at least 55,000 pounds at the rate specified in the following table: Taxable gross weight:Rate of tax: At least 55,000 pounds, but not over 75,000 pounds$100 per year plus $22 for each 1,000 pounds (or fraction thereof) in excess of 55,000 pounds. Over 75,000 pounds$550.
(b)The tax imposed by this section shall be paid by the person in whose name the highway motor vehicle is, or is required to be, registered under the law of the State or contiguous foreign country in which such vehicle is, or is required to be, registered, or, in case the highway motor vehicle is owned by the United States, by the agency or instrumentality of the United States operating such vehicle.
(c)(1)If in any taxable period the first use of the highway motor vehicle is after the first month in such period, the tax shall be reckoned proportionately from the first day of the month in which such use occurs to and including the last day in such taxable period.
(2)(A)If in any taxable period a highway motor vehicle is sold, destroyed, or stolen before the first day of the last month in such period and not subsequently used during such taxable period, the tax shall be reckoned proportionately from the first day of the month in such period in which the first use of such highway motor vehicle occurs to and including the last day of the month in which such highway motor vehicle was sold, destroyed, or stolen.
(B)For purposes of subparagraph (A), a highway motor vehicle is destroyed if such vehicle is damaged by reason of an accident or other casualty to such an extent that it is not economic to rebuild.
(d)To the extent that the tax imposed by this section is paid with respect to any highway motor vehicle for any taxable period, no further tax shall be imposed by this section for such taxable period with respect to such vehicle.
(e)Any taxpayer who files a return under this section with respect to 25 or more vehicles for any taxable period shall file such return electronically.
(f)The tax imposed by this section shall apply only to use before October 1, 2029.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 117–58 substituted “2029” for “2023”. 2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–141 amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “(1) In general.—To the extent that the tax imposed by this section is paid with respect to any highway motor vehicle for any taxable period, no further tax shall be imposed by this section for such taxable period with respect to such vehicle. “(2) Cross reference.—For privilege of paying tax imposed by this section in installments, see section 6156.” 2015—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “2023” for “2017”. 2012—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “2017” for “2013”. Pub. L. 112–102 substituted “2013” for “2012”. 2011—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–30 substituted “2012” for “2011”. 2005—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “2011” for “2006”. Pub. L. 109–14 substituted “2006” for “2005”. 2004—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 108–357, § 867(a)(2), substituted “sold, destroyed, or stolen” for “destroyed or stolen” in heading. Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 108–357, § 867(a)(1), substituted “sold, destroyed, or stolen” for “destroyed or stolen” in two places. Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 108–357, § 867(c), added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f). 1998—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–178 substituted “2005” for “1999”. 1996—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–188 provided that section 8002(a)(5) of Pub. L. 102–240 shall be applied as if “4481(e)” appeared instead of “4481(c)”. See 1991 Amendment note below. 1991—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–240, which directed the substitution of “1999” for “1995” in subsec. (c), was executed by making the substitution in subsec. (e). See 1996 Amendment note above. 1990—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “1995” for “1993”. 1987—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–17, § 507(a), inserted “or contiguous foreign country” after “State”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–17, § 502(a)(5), substituted “1993” for “1988”. 1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–369, § 901(a), in amending subsec. (a) generally, substituted “55,000” for “33,000” in provisions preceding table, struck out heading “(1) In general”, substituted table provisions for former table which provided: Taxable gross weightRate of tax At leastBut less than 33,000 pounds55,000$50 a year, plus $25 for each 1,000 pounds or fraction thereof in excess of 33,000 pounds. 55,000 pounds80,000$600 a year, plus the applicable rate for each 1,000 pounds or fraction thereof in excess of 55,000 pounds 80,000 pounds or more The maximum tax a year. and struck out par. (2) which provided applicable rates and maximum taxes for taxable periods beginning July 1, 1984 through 1988 or thereafter. Pub. L. 98–369, § 734(f), struck out from subsec. (a), as subsec. (a) was in effect before the
Amendments
made by section 513(a) of Pub. L. 97–424: “In case of the taxable period beginning on
July 1, 1984, and ending on
September 30, 1984, the tax shall be at the rate of 75 cents for such period for each 1,000 pounds of taxable gross weight or fraction thereof.” See 1983 Amendment note below. 1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–424, § 513(a), substituted “at least 33,000 pounds at the rate specified in the following table:” for “more than 26,000 pounds, at the rate of $3.00 a year for each 1,000 pounds of taxable gross weight or fraction thereof.”, and added pars. (1) and (2). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–424, § 513(d), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2). Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–424, § 516(a)(4), substituted “1988” for “1984” after “October 1,”. 1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–599, § 502(a)(6), substituted “1984” for “1979” in two places. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95–599, § 502(a)(7), substituted “1984” for “1979”. 1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–280, § 303(a)(7), substituted “1979” for “1977” in two places. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94–280, § 303(a)(8), substituted “1979” for “1977”. 1970—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 91–605, § 303(a)(7), substituted “1977” for “1972” in two places. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 91–605, § 303(a)(8), substituted “1977” for “1972”. 1961—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–61, § 203(a), (b)(2)(A), increased rate of tax from $1.50 to $3.00 a year, and provided for a tax at the rate of 75 cents for each 1,000 pounds during the period beginning on
July 1, 1972, and ending on
September 30, 1972. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 87–61, § 203(b)(2)(B), substituted “any taxable period” for “any year”, “after the first month in such period” for “after July 31”, and “the last day in such taxable period” for “the last day of June following”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–61, § 203(b)(2)(B), made conforming changes to refer to payment of tax for a taxable period instead of payment for a year, and inserted cross reference to section 6156. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 87–61, § 203(b)(1), substituted “before
October 1, 1972” for “after
June 30, 1956, and before
July 1, 1972”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2021 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 80102(f) of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2015 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2016, see section 31102(f) of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2012 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective July 1, 2012, see section 40102(f) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 112–102 effective Apr. 1, 2012, see section 402(f) of Pub. L. 112–102, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 4041 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2011 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 112–30 effective Oct. 1, 2011, see section 142(f) of Pub. L. 112–30, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2005 Amendment Pub. L. 109–14, § 9(d), May 31, 2005, 119 Stat. 336, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 4482, 4483, 9503, and 9504 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [May 31, 2005].”
Effective Date
of 2004 Amendment Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 867(e), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1622, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 4483 of this title and repealing section 6156 of this title] shall apply to taxable periods beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004].”
Effective Date
of 1987 Amendment Pub. L. 100–17, title V, § 507(d), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 260, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and section 4483 of this title] shall take effect on July 1, 1987.”
Effective Date
of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by section 734(f) of Pub. L. 98–369 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Highway Revenue Act of 1982, title V of Pub. L. 97–424, to which such amendment relates, see section 736 of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 4051 of this title. Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IX, § 901(c),
July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1004, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] (and the provisions of subsection (b) [set out below]) shall take effect on
July 1, 1984.”
Effective Date
of 1983 Amendment Pub. L. 97–424, title V, § 513(f), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2179, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “(1) In general.—Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 4482 and 4483 of this title and enacting provisions set out below] shall take effect on July 1, 1984. “(2) Special rule in the case of certain owner-operators.—“(A) In general.—In the case of a small owner-operator, paragraph (1) of this subsection and paragraph (2) of section 4481(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as added by this section) shall be applied by substituting for each date contained in such paragraphs a date which is 1 year after the date so contained. “(B) Small owner-operator.—For purposes of this paragraph, the term “small owner-operator” means any person who owns and operates at any time during the taxable period no more than 5 highway motor vehicles with respect to which a tax is imposed by section 4481 of such Code for such taxable period.“[No subpar. (C) has been enacted.] “(D) Aggregation of vehicle ownerships.—For purposes of subparagraph (B), all highway motor vehicles with respect to which a tax is imposed by section 4481 of such Code which are owned by—“(i) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control with the taxpayer (within the meaning of section 52(b)), or “(ii) any member of any controlled groups of corporations of which the taxpayer is a member, for any taxable period shall be treated as being owned by the taxpayer during such period. The Secretary shall prescribe
Regulations
which provide attribution rules that take into account, in addition to the persons and entities described in the preceding sentence, taxpayers who own highway motor vehicles through partnerships, joint ventures, and corporations. “(E) Controlled groups of corporations.—For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘controlled group of corporations’ has the meaning given to such term by section 1563(a), except that—“(i) ‘more than 50 percent’ shall be substituted for ‘at least 80 percent’ each place it appears in section 1563(a)(1), and “(ii) the determination shall be made without regard to subsections (a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) of section 1563. “(F) Highway motor vehicles.—For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘highway motor vehicle’ has the meaning given to such term by section 4482(a) of such Code.”
Effective Date
of 1961 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 87–61 effective July 1, 1961, see section 208 of Pub. L. 87–61, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
Effective Date
Effective Date
of 1956 Amendment note under section 4041 of this title.
Regulations
Pub. L. 100–17, title V, § 507(c), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 260, provided that: “The Secretary of the Treasury or the delegate of the Secretary shall within 120 days after the date of the enactment of this section [Apr. 2, 1987] prescribe
Regulations
governing payment of the tax imposed by section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on any highway motor vehicle operated by a motor carrier domiciled in any contiguous foreign country or owned or controlled by persons of any contiguous foreign country. Such
Regulations
shall include a procedure by which the operator of such motor vehicle shall evidence that such operator has paid such tax at the time such motor vehicle enters the United States. In the event of the failure to provide evidence of payment, such
Regulations
may provide for denial of entry of such motor vehicle into the United States.”
Savings Provision
For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 115–141 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Mar. 23, 2018, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Mar. 23, 2018, see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 23 of this title. Special Rules in the Case of Certain Owner-Operators Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IX, § 901(b),
July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1003, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “(1) Special rule for taxable period beginning on july 1, 1984.—In the case of a small owner-operator, the amount of the tax imposed by section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] on the use of any highway motor vehicle subject to tax under section 4481(a) of such Code (as amended by subsection (a)) for the taxable period which begins on
July 1, 1984, shall be the lesser of—“(A) $3 for each 1,000 pounds of taxable gross weight (or fraction thereof), or “(B) the amount of the tax which would be imposed under such section 4481(a) without regard to this paragraph. “(2) Exemption for vehicles used for less than 5,000 miles (and certain other
Amendments
) to take effect on july 1, 1984.—In the case of a small owner-operator, notwithstanding subsection (f)(2) of section 513 of the Highway Revenue Act of 1982 [section 513(f)(2) of Pub. L. 97–424, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1983 Amendment note above], the
Amendments
made by subsections (b), (c), and (d) of such section [amending sections 4481 to 4483 of this title] shall take effect on
July 1, 1984. “(3) Small owner-operator defined.—For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘small owner-operator’ has the meaning given such term by section 513(f)(2) of the Highway Revenue Act of 1982. “(4) Taxable gross weight.—For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘taxable gross weight’ has the same meaning as when used in section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.” Studies Relating to Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IX, subtitle D, part I,
July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1010, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, would conduct a study of whether highway motor vehicles with taxable gross weights of 80,000 pounds or more bear their fair share of the costs of the highway system, a study to determine the significance of the tax imposed by this section (relating to tax on use of certain vehicles) on trans-border trucking operations, and a study to evaluate the feasibility and ability of weight-distance truck taxes to provide the greatest degree of equity among highway users, to ease the costs of compliance of such taxes, and to improve the efficiency by which such taxes might be administered, and submit to Congress a report of each study, together with any recommendations, by Oct. 1, 1987. Study of Alternatives to Tax on Use of Heavy Trucks Pub. L. 97–424, title V, § 513(g), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2180, provided that the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, conduct a study of alternatives to the tax on heavy vehicles imposed by section 4481(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and plans for improving the collecting and
Enforcement
of such tax and alternatives to such tax, such alternatives to include taxes based either singly or in suitable combinations on vehicle size or configuration; vehicle weight, both registered and actual operating weight; and distance traveled, and such plans for improving tax collection and
Enforcement
to provide for Federal and State co-operation in such activities. The study was to be conducted in consultation with State officials, motor carriers, and other affected parties, and the Secretary of Transportation was to submit a report and recommendations to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate not later than Jan. 1, 1985.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
26 U.S.C. § 4481
Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73