Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 4082. Exemptions for diesel fuel and kerosene
Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).
Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 4082
At a glance
Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.
- Status
- In force
- Enacted
- September 21, 1959 by Pub. L. 86–342
- Last amended
- February 14, 2012 by Pub. L. 112–95
- Amendments
- 14 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 8 subsections · 1,018 words · about 4 min to read
- Defines
- 2 terms
- Cross-references
- cites 7; cited by 5 Code sections and 6 other regulations
- Regulations
- 7 issued under this section
Subsection (a) shall not apply to the tax imposed under section 4081 at the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate.
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.
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.
For tax on train and certain bus uses of fuel purchased tax-free, see subsections (a)(1) and (d)(3) of section 4041.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 483; Pub. L. 86–342, title II, § 201(e)(1), (2), Sept. 21, 1959, 73 Stat. 615; Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 802(a)(1), (b)(1), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 159; Pub. L. 91–258, title II, § 205(c)(6), May 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 242; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, §§ 733(a), 734(c)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 977, 979; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVII, § 1703(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2775; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13242(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 517; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1801(a), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1891; Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1032(c)(1), (2), (e)(3)(A), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 933, 935; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6010(h)(3), (4), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 815; Pub. L. 108–357, title II, § 241(a)(2)(B), title VIII, §§ 851(d)(2), 853(a)(5), 854(a), 857(a), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1438, 1608, 1611, 1615, 1617; Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1362(b)(1), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 1059; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11161(a)(4)(A), (E), (b)(3)(C), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1970, 1971; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 420(b)(2), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2969; Pub. L. 110–172, §§ 6(d)(2)(B), (C), 11(a)(28), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2480, 2481, 2487; Pub. L. 112–95, title XI, § 1103(a)(2), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 150.)
Terms defined here
Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.
Regulations under this section
Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 4082
- § 48.4082-1 Diesel fuel and kerosene; exemption for dyed fuel.
- § 48.4082-1T Diesel fuel and kerosene; exemption for dyed fuel (temporary).
- § 48.4082-2 Diesel fuel and kerosene; notice required for dyed fuel.
- § 48.4082-4 Diesel fuel and kerosene; back-up tax.
- § 48.4082-5 Diesel fuel and kerosene; Alaska.
- § 48.4082-6 Kerosene; exemption for aviation-grade kerosene.
- § 48.4082-7 Kerosene; exemption for feedstock purposes.
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
This section cites 7 other sections
- § 4081 Imposition of tax
- § 4041(a)(1) Imposition of tax
- § 6421(e)(2)(C) Gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes, used by local transit systems, or sold for certain exempt purposes
- § 4101 Registration and bond
- § 6427 Fuels not used for taxable purposes
- § 4043 Surtax on fuel used in aircraft part of a fractional ownership program
- § 4221(d)(3) Certain tax-free sales
Cited by 5 Code sections
- § 6430(1) Treatment of tax imposed at Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate
- § 6435(b)(2)(B) Dyed fuel
- § 6715(a)(3) Dyed fuel sold for use or used in taxable use, etc.
- § 6715A(a)(1) Tampering with or failing to maintain security requirements for mechanical dye injection systems
- § 7851(a)(4) Applicability of revenue laws
Cited in 6 regulations not issued under it
- § 48.4081-3 Taxable fuel; taxable events other than removal at the terminal rack.
- § 48.4218-1 Tax on use by manufacturer, producer, or importer.
- § 48.6420-4 Meaning of terms.
- § 48.6421-4 Meaning of terms.
- § 48.6427-1 Credit or payments to purchaser of special fuels resold or used for nontaxable, farming, or other purposes.
- § 48.6435-1T Dyed fuel refund.
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 112–95Parts changed in 2012: (e)
- Amended by Pub. L. 110–172Parts changed in 2007: (a) (b) (e) (f)
- Amended by Pub. L. 109–432Parts changed in 2006: (d)(2)(B)
- Amended by Pub. L. 109–59Parts changed in 2005: (a) (b) (d)(2)(B) (e)
- Amended by Pub. L. 109–58
- Amended by Pub. L. 108–357Parts changed in 2004: (a)(2) (b) (b)(3) (d) (e) (f) (g)
- Amended by Pub. L. 105–206Parts changed in 1998: (d)(1) (d)(3)
- Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (a) (d) (e)
- Amended by Pub. L. 104–188Parts changed in 1996: (c)
- Amended by Pub. L. 103–66
- Amended by Pub. L. 99–514Parts changed in 1986: (a) (b) (c)
- Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (d) (e)
- Amended by Pub. L. 91–258Parts changed in 1970: (c)
- Amended by Pub. L. 89–44Parts changed in 1965: (b) (d)(2)
- Enacted by Pub. L. 86–342Parts changed in 1959: (a) (d)
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle D Miscellaneous Excise Taxes
- Chapter 32 MANUFACTURERS EXCISE TAXES
- Subchapter A Automotive and Related Items
- Part III PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
- Subpart A Motor and Aviation Fuels
Nearby sections
- § 4081 Imposition of tax
- § 4082 Exemptions for diesel fuel and kerosene
- § 4083 Definitions; special rule; administrative authority
- § 4084 Cross references
Official notes
Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)
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 Amendment
Amendment 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 Amendment
Amendment 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 Amendment
Amendment 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 sections 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 Amendment
Amendment 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 Amendment
Amendment 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 Amendment
Amendment 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 Amendment
Amendment 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 Amendment
Amendment 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 sections 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.”