Title 26 — Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73
§5615 Property subject to forfeiture
Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle E— - Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Other Excise Taxes › Chapter CHAPTER 51— - DISTILLED SPIRITS, WINES, AND BEER › Subchapter Subchapter J— - Penalties, Seizures, and Forfeitures Relating to Liquors › Part PART I— - PENALTY, SEIZURE, AND FORFEITURE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO DISTILLING, RECTIFYING, AND DISTILLED AND RECTIFIED PRODUCTS › § 5615
Summary
The United States can take certain property when people break the rules about making or handling distilled spirits. If a still or other distilling gear is not properly registered, the still and personal items of the person who should have registered it found in the building or connected yard can be taken. Any still, boiler, or vessel moved or set up without required notice can also be seized. If someone runs a distillery without the required bond, gives a false bond, tries to cheat the tax, or keeps working after filing a notice to stop (while having mash, wort, or beer with intent to distill), many things can be taken: their spirits and wines and distilling equipment (wherever found); spirits, wines, raw materials and personal property on the distillery premises; their ownership interest in the land; and similar rights or property of anyone who knowingly let the distillery operate or let access be used. Spirits made at a vinegar plant over 15% alcohol by volume, or any vinegar or fluid removed from a vinegar plant that contains more than 2% proof spirits, can be seized. Property may also be taken when required records are falsified, destroyed, hidden, refused for inspection, or when spirits are removed without tax paid or have ingredients added to fake their proof.
Full Legal Text
Title 26, §5615
Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The following property shall be forfeited to the United States:
(1)Every still or distilling apparatus not registered as required by section 5179, together with all personal property in the possession or custody or under the control of the person required by section 5179 to register the still or distilling apparatus, and found in the building or in any yard or inclosure connected with the building in which such still or distilling apparatus is set up; and
(2)Any still, boiler, or other vessel to be used for the purpose of distilling—
(A)which is removed without notice having been given when required by section 5101(a)(1), or
(B)which is set up without notice having been given when required by section 5101(a)(2); and
(3)Whenever any person carries on the business of a distiller without having given bond as required by law or gives any false, forged, or fraudulent bond; or engages in or carries on the business of a distiller with intent to defraud the United States of the tax on the distilled spirits distilled by him, or any part thereof; or after the time fixed in the notice declaring his intention to suspend work, filed under section 5221(a), carries on the business of a distiller on the premises covered by such notice, or has mash, wort, or beer on such premises, or on any premises connected therewith, or has in his possession or under his control any mash, wort, or beer, with intent to distill the same on such premises—
(A)all distilled spirits or wines, and all stills or other apparatus fit or intended to be used for the distillation or rectification of spirits, or for the compounding of liquors, owned by such person, wherever found; and
(B)all distilled spirits, wines, raw materials for the production of distilled spirits, and personal property found in the distillery or in any building, room, yard, or inclosure connected therewith and used with or constituting a part of the premises; and
(C)all the right, title, and interest of such person in the lot or tract of land on which the distillery is situated; and
(D)all the right, title, and interest in the lot or tract of land on which the distillery is located of every person who knowingly has suffered or permitted the business of a distiller to be there carried on, or has connived at the same; and
(E)all personal property owned by or in possession of any person who has permitted or suffered any building, yard, or inclosure, or any part thereof, to be used for purposes of ingress or egress to or from the distillery, which shall be found in any such building, yard, or inclosure; and
(F)all the right, title, and interest of every person in any premises used for ingress or egress to or from the distillery who knowingly has suffered or permitted such premises to be used for such ingress or egress; and
(4)(A)all distilled spirits in excess of 15 percent of alcohol by volume produced on the premises of a vinegar plant; and
(B)all vinegar or other fluid or other material containing a greater proportion than 2 percent of proof spirits removed from any vinegar plant; and
(5)Whenever any person required by section 5207 to keep or file any record, return, report, summary, transcript, or other document, shall, with intent to defraud the United States—
(A)fail to keep any such document or to make required entries therein; or
(B)make any false entry in such document; or
(C)cancel, alter, or obliterate any part of such document, or any entry therein, or destroy any part of such document, or entry therein; or
(D)hinder or obstruct any internal revenue officer from inspecting any such document or taking any abstracts therefrom; or
(E)fail or refuse to preserve or produce any such document, as required by this chapter or regulations issued pursuant thereto; or
(F)permit any of the acts described in the preceding subparagraphs to be performed;
(6)All distilled spirits on which the tax has not been paid or determined which have been removed, other than as authorized by law, from the place of manufacture, storage, or instrument of transportation; and
(7)All distilled spirits on which the tax has not been paid or determined as provided by law to which any ingredient or substance has been added for the purpose of creating fictitious proof.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 5615, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 686, related to penalty for refusal or neglect of distillers and rectifiers to give assistance to officers, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5203(e) and 5687 of this title. Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior sections of act Aug. 16, 1954, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859, as follows: Present subds.:Prior sections (1)5601 (2)5602 (3)5604, 5606, 5626, 5650. (4)5608(b). (5)5620 (6)5631, 5632, 5643, 5647. (7)5634 The prior sections, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, are set out in 68A Stat. 683 to 690, 692, 693, 695. A prior section 5616, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 686, related to penalty for obstructing or refusing to admit officer to distillery premises, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5687 of this title. A prior section 5617, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 686, related to penalty for failure to keep distillery accessible, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5687 of this title. A prior section 5618, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 686, related to penalty for failure of distiller to identify fixed pipes, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5687 of this title. A prior section 5619, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 686, related to penalty for refusal or neglect to draw off water and clean condensers or worm tanks, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5687 of this title. A prior section 5620, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 686, related to penalty and forfeiture for false or omitted entries in distiller’s books and records, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5603 and 5615(5) of this title. A prior section 5621, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 687, related to penalty concerning records and returns of distiller as wholesale dealers, rectifiers, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5603 of this title. A prior section 5622, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 687, related to disposal of forfeited equipment and material for distilling, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5610 of this title. A prior section 5623, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 687, related to destruction of distilling apparatus, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5609 of this title. A prior section 5624, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 688, related to release of distillery before judgment, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5611 of this title. A prior section 5625, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 688, related to forfeiture of tax-paid distilled spirits remaining on distillery premises, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5612(a) of this title. A prior section 5626, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 688, related to penalty and forfeiture for tax fraud by distiller, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5602 and 5615(3) of this title. A prior section 5627, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 689, related to penalty for unlawful use of rectifying premises, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5687 of this title. A prior section 5628, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 689, related to penalty for rectification without payment of tax, increasing volume, etc., prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601(a)(10) and 5687 of this title. A prior section 5629, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 689, related to penalty for unlawful rectifying, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601(a)(10), (11) of this title. A prior section 5630, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 689, related to penalty for noncompliance by rectifiers with provisions relating to rectifying, gauging, branding, and stamping, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5687 of this title. A prior section 5631, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 689, related to penalty and forfeiture for failure to comply with warehousing and removal requirements, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601(a)(12), 5615(6), and 5687 of this title. A prior section 5632, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 690, related to penalty or forfeiture for unlawful removal or concealment of spirits, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601 and 5615 of this title. A prior section 5633, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 690, related to penalty of officer in charge of warehouse for unlawful removal of spirits, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 7214 of this title. A prior section 5634, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 690, related to penalty and forfeiture for creation of fictitious proof, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601 and 5615 of this title. A prior section 5635, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 690, related to penalty for buying or selling used casks bearing inspection marks, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5604 of this title. A prior section 5636, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 690, related to penalty and forfeiture for failure to efface, etc., stamps and brands on emptied packages, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5604 and 7301 of this title. A prior section 5637, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 691, related to penalty for changing stamps or shifting spirits, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5604 of this title. A prior section 5638, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 691, related to penalty and forfeiture for affixing imitation stamps on packages of distilled spirits, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5604, 5613, 7301, and 7302 of this title. A prior section 5639, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 691, related to forfeiture of distilled spirits in unstamped casks or packages, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5613 of this title. A prior section 5640, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 691, related to forfeiture of spirits in unstamped containers, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5613 of this title. A prior section 5641, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 692, related to penalty and forfeiture relating to containers of distilled spirits, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5606, 5613, 7301, 7302, and 7321 to 7323 of this title. A prior section 5642, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 692, related to penalties for transporting, possessing, etc., distilled spirits in unstamped containers or counterfeiting of stamps, etc., prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5604 of this title. A prior section 5643, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 692, related to penalty and forfeiture for reuse of stamps or bottles, tampering and unlawful removal, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601, 5604, 5613, 5615, 5687, 7301 and 7302 of this title. A prior section 5644, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 693, related to penalty for counterfeiting bottled in bond stamps, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5604 of this title. A prior section 5645, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 693, related to penalty for unlawful affixing, canceling, or issue of stamps by officer, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 7214 of this title. A prior section 5646, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 693, related to penalty for evasion of distilled spirits tax, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. A prior section 5647, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 693, related to penalty and forfeiture for unlawful use or concealment of denatured alcohol, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5273, 5601, 5607, and 5615 of this title. A prior section 5648, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 694, related to penalty and forfeiture for fraudulent claims for export drawback or unlawful relanding, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5608 of this title. A prior section 5649, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 694, related to burden of proof in cases of seizure of spirits, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5614 of this title. A prior section 5650, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 695, related to penalty and forfeiture for operating distillery after giving notice of suspension, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5601 and 5615 of this title.
Amendments
1984—Par. (2). Pub. L. 98–369 amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “Any still, boiler, or other vessel to be used for the purpose of distilling which is removed without notice having been given as required by section 5105(a) or which is set up without permit first having been obtained as required by such section; and”. 1979—Par. (5). Pub. L. 96–39 substituted “distilled spirits plant” for “distillery, bonded warehouse, or rectifying or bottling establishment” in three places.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1984 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–369 effective on first day of first calendar month which begins more than 90 days after July 18, 1984, see section 456(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 5101 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1979 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–39 effective Jan. 1, 1980, see section 810 of Pub. L. 96–39, set out as a note under section 5001 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
26 U.S.C. § 5615
Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73