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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 4482. Definitions

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

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. § 4482

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Added
June 29, 1961 by Pub. L. 87–61
Last amended
November 15, 2021 by Pub. L. 117–58
Amendments
17 dated changes in the source credit
Length
4 subsections · 590 words · about 3 min to read
Defines
5 terms
Cross-references
cites 1; cited by 0 Code sections and 1 other regulation
Regulations
3 issued under this section
(a) Highway motor vehicle

For purposes of this subchapter, the term “highway motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle which is a highway vehicle.

(b) Taxable gross weight For purposes of this subchapter, the term “taxable gross weight”, when used with respect to any highway motor vehicle, means the sum of—
(1) the actual unloaded weight of—
(A) such highway motor vehicle fully equipped for service, and
(B) the semitrailers and trailers (fully equipped for service) customarily used in connection with highway motor vehicles of the same type as such highway motor vehicle, and
(2) the weight of the maximum load customarily carried on highway motor vehicles of the same type as such highway motor vehicle and on the semitrailers and trailers referred to in paragraph (1)(B).
Taxable gross weight shall be determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary (which regulations may include formulas or other methods for determining the taxable gross weight of vehicles by classes, specifications, or otherwise).
(c) Other definitions and special rule For purposes of this subchapter—
(1) State

The term “State” means a State and the District of Columbia.

(2) Year

The term “year” means the one-year period beginning on July 1.

(3) Use

The term “use” means use in the United States on the public highways.

(4) Taxable period

The term “taxable period” means any year beginning before July 1, 2029, and the period which begins on July 1, 2029, and ends at the close of September 30, 2029.

(5) Customary use

A semitrailer or trailer shall be treated as customarily used in connection with a highway motor vehicle if such vehicle is equipped to tow such semitrailer or trailer.

(d) Special rule for taxable period in which termination date occurs

In the case of the taxable period which ends on September 30, 2029, the amount of the tax imposed by section 4481 with respect to any highway motor vehicle shall be determined by reducing each dollar amount in the table contained in section 4481(a) by 75 percent.

(Added June 29, 1956, ch. 462, title II, § 206(a), 70 Stat. 390; amended Pub. L. 87–61, title II, § 203(b)(2)(C), June 29, 1961, 75 Stat. 125; Pub. L. 91–605, title III, § 303(a)(9), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1744; Pub. L. 94–280, title III, § 303(a)(9), May 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 456; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §§ 1904(c), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1818, 1834; Pub. L. 95–599, title V, § 502(a)(8), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2756; Pub. L. 97–424, title V, §§ 513(c), (e), 516(a)(4), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2179, 2182; Pub. L. 100–17, title V, § 502(a)(5), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 256; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11211(c)(5), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–426; Pub. L. 102–240, title VIII, § 8002(a)(5), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2203; Pub. L. 105–178, title IX, § 9002(a)(1)(H), (I), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 499; Pub. L. 109–14, § 9(c)(2), (3), May 31, 2005, 119 Stat. 336; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11101(a)(2)(B), (C), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1944; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, § 142(b)(2), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 356; Pub. L. 112–102, title IV, § 402(b)(2), Mar. 30, 2012, 126 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 112–140, title IV, § 402(e), June 29, 2012, 126 Stat. 403; Pub. L. 112–141, div. D, title I, § 40102(b)(1)(B), (2)(A), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 114–94, div. C, title XXXI, § 31102(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1727; Pub. L. 117–58, div. H, title I, § 80102(b)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1327.)

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 § 4482

Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 1 other section

Cited in 1 regulation not issued under it

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 117–58Parts changed in 2021: (c)(4)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 114–94Parts changed in 2015: (c)(4)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 112–141Parts changed in 2012: (c)(4) (d)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 112–140
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 112–102
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 112–30Parts changed in 2011: (c)(4)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 109–59Parts changed in 2005: (c)(4)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 109–14
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 105–178Parts changed in 1998: (c)(4)
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 102–240Parts changed in 1991: (c)(4)
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (c)(4)
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 100–17Parts changed in 1987: (c)(4)
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 97–424Parts changed in 1983: (c) (c)(4) (c)(5) (d)
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 95–599Parts changed in 1978: (c)(4)
  15. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (b) (c)(1) (c)(4)
  16. Amended by Pub. L. 94–280
  17. Amended by Pub. L. 91–605Parts changed in 1970: (c)(4)
  18. Added by Pub. L. 87–61Parts changed in 1961: (c)(4)

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle D Miscellaneous Excise Taxes
  2. Chapter 36 CERTAIN OTHER EXCISE TAXES
  3. Subchapter D Tax on Use of Certain Vehicles

Nearby sections

Official notes

Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 117–58 substituted “2029” for “2023” wherever appearing.

2015—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “2023” for “2017” wherever appearing.

2012—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 112–141, § 40102(b)(2)(A), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘taxable period’ means any year beginning before July 1, 2013, and the period which begins on July 1, 2013, and ends at the close of September 30, 2013.”

Pub. L. 112–140, §§ 1(c), 402(e), temporarily amended par. (4) generally, resulting in text identical to that after amendment by Pub. L. 112–102. See Amendment and Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes below.

Pub. L. 112–102 substituted “2013” for “2012” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–141, § 40102(b)(1)(B), substituted “2017” for “2013”.

Pub. L. 112–102 substituted “2013” for “2012”.

2011—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 112–30 substituted “2012” for “2011” wherever appearing.

2005—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “2011” for “2006” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 109–14 substituted “2006” for “2005” wherever appearing.

1998—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 105–178 substituted “2005” for “1999” wherever appearing.

1991—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 102–240 substituted “1999” for “1995” wherever appearing.

1990—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “1995” for “1993” wherever appearing.

1987—Subsecs. (c)(4), (d). Pub. L. 100–17 substituted “1993” for “1988” wherever appearing.

1983—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–424, § 513(c)(2), inserted “and special rule” in heading.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 97–424, § 516(a)(4), substituted “1988” for “1984” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 97–424, § 513(c)(1), added par. (5).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–424, § 513(e), added subsec. (d).

1978—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 95–599 substituted “1984” for “1979” wherever appearing.

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1904(c), substituted “State and the District of Columbia” for “State, a Territory of the United States, and the District of Columbia”.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 94–280 substituted “1979” for “1977” wherever appearing.

1970—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 91–605 substituted “1977” for “1972” wherever appearing.

1961—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 87–61 added par. (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–58 effective Oct. 1, 2021, see section 80102(f) of Pub. L. 117–58, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2016, see section 31102(f) of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–141, div. D, title I, § 40102(b)(2)(B), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 845, provided that: “The amendment made by this paragraph [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 142 of the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, Part II [Pub. L. 112–30].”

Amendment by section 40102(b)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 112–141 effective July 1, 2012, see section 40102(f) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–140 to cease to be effective on July 6, 2012, with text as amended by Pub. L. 112–140 to revert back to read as it did on the day before June 29, 2012, and amendments by Pub. L. 112–141 to be executed as if Pub. L. 112–140 had not been enacted, see section 1(c) of Pub. L. 112–140, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–140 effective as if included in section 402 of Pub. L. 112–102, see section 402(f)(2) of Pub. L. 112–140, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–102 effective Apr. 1, 2012, see section 402(f) of Pub. L. 112–102, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–30 effective Oct. 1, 2011, see section 142(f) of Pub. L. 112–30, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by section 513(c), (e) of Pub. L. 97–424 effective July 1, 1984, see section 513(f) of Pub. L. 97–424, set out as a note under section 4481 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 1904(c) of 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 1961 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–61 effective July 1, 1961, see section 208 of Pub. L. 87–61, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Special Rules in the Case of Small Owner-Operators

Amendment by section 513(c) of Pub. L. 97–424 effective July 1, 1984, in the case of a small owner-operator, notwithstanding section 513(f)(2) of Pub. L. 97–424, see section 901(b)(2) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 4481 of this title.