Title 26, Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-102

§5822 Making

Title 26 › Subtitle E — Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Other Excise Taxes › CHAPTER 53 — MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS › Subchapter A — Taxes › PART III — TAX ON MAKING FIREARMS › § 5822

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

You may not make a firearm unless you file a written application with the Secretary (in two copies) on the Secretary’s form, pay the tax and show the proper stamp on the original, identify the gun and yourself as the Secretary requires (if you are an individual you must include fingerprints and a photo), and get the Secretary’s approval on the form. An application will be denied if making or having the gun would break the law.

Full Legal Text

Title 26, §5822

Internal Revenue Code, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

No person shall make a firearm unless he has (a) filed with the Secretary a written application, in duplicate, to make and register the firearm on the form prescribed by the Secretary; (b) paid any tax payable on the making and such payment is evidenced by the proper stamp affixed to the original application form; (c) identified the firearm to be made in the application form in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe; (d) identified himself in the application form in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe, except that, if such person is an individual, the identification must include his fingerprints and his photograph; and (e) obtained the approval of the Secretary to make and register the firearm and the application form shows such approval. Applications shall be denied if the making or possession of the firearm would place the person making the firearm in violation of law.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5831, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 724, made a cross reference to section 4181 of this title relating to an excise tax on pistols, revolvers, and firearms, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 90–618, title II, § 201, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1227.

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

26 U.S.C. § 5822

Title 26, Internal Revenue Code

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102