Title 26Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73not60

§7209 Unauthorized Use or Sale of Stamps

Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle F— Procedure and Administration › Chapter 75— CRIMES, OTHER OFFENSES, AND FORFEITURES › Subchapter A— Crimes › Part I— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 7209

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

It is illegal to buy, sell, use, trade, or pledge tax stamps or similar items the Secretary issues unless the tax law or its rules allow it. Penalty: up to $1,000 fine, 6 months in jail, or both.

Full Legal Text

Title 26, §7209

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Any person who buys, sells, offers for sale, uses, transfers, takes or gives in exchange, or pledges or gives in pledge, except as authorized in this title or in regulations made pursuant thereto, any stamp, coupon, ticket, book, or other device prescribed by the Secretary under this title for the collection or payment of any tax imposed by this title, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

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

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

26 U.S.C. § 7209

Title 26Internal Revenue Code

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60