Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.
§ 4374. Liability for tax
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. § 4374
At a glance
Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.
- Status
- In force
- Enacted
- September 2, 1958 by Pub. L. 85–859
- Last amended
- October 4, 1976 by Pub. L. 94–455
- Amendments
- 2 dated changes in the source credit
- Length
- 111 words · about 1 min to read
- Cross-references
- cites 0; cited by 1 Code section and 0 other regulations
- Regulations
- 1 issued under this section
The tax imposed by this chapter shall be paid, on the basis of a return, by any person who makes, signs, issues, or sells any of the documents and instruments subject to the tax, or for whose use or benefit the same are made, signed, issued, or sold. The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof shall not be liable for the tax.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 522; Pub. L. 85–859, title I, § 141(a), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1301; Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 804(a)(1), (2), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 160; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1904(a)(12), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1813.)
Regulations under this section
Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 4374
Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.
Cited by 1 Code section
Amendment history
From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.
- Amended by Pub. L. 94–455
- Amended by Pub. L. 89–44
- Enacted by Pub. L. 85–859
Where it sits in the Code
- Subtitle D Miscellaneous Excise Taxes
- Chapter 34 TAXES ON CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES
- Subchapter A Policies Issued By Foreign Insurers
Nearby sections
- § 4371 Imposition of tax
- § 4372 Definitions
- § 4373 Exemptions
- § 4374 Liability for tax
Official notes
Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
For provisions of prior sections 4375, 4381 to 4384, see Prior Provisions note preceding section 4371 of this title.
Amendments
1976—Pub. L. 94–455 substituted in section catchline “Liability for tax” for “Payment of tax” and in text provisions relating to payment of tax on basis of a return and to tax-exempt status of United States and its agencies and instrumentalities for provisions relating to placing of stamps on any policy, indemnity bond, or annuity contract referred to in section 4371 and to regulation by Secretary that tax be paid on basis of a return.
1965—Pub. L. 89–44 substituted “Payment of tax” for “Affixing of stamps” in section catchline, and inserted sentence authorizing Secretary or his delegate to provide by regulation for payment on basis of a return of tax imposed by section 4371.
1958—Pub. L. 85–859 reenacted section without change.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 effective on first day of first month which begins more than 90 days after Oct. 4, 1976, see section 1904(d) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 804(c), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 160, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on July 1, 1965. The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending section 4371 of this title] shall apply with respect to policies, bonds, and contracts with respect to which the tax imposed by section 4371 of the Code is required to be paid on the basis of a return.”
Determination of Partnership as Continuing or Terminated Partnership
Pub. L. 85–859, title I, § 141(b), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1304, mandated that only changes in the partnership occurring on or after the effective date specified in section 1(c) of Pub. L. 85–859 shall be taken into account in the determination of whether a partnership is a continuing or terminated one.