Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 4483. Exemptions

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. § 4483

At a glance

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

Status: In force
Added: October 4, 1976 by Pub. L. 94–455
Last amended: November 15, 2021 by Pub. L. 117–58
Amendments: 17 dated changes in the source credit
Length: 9 subsections · 1,405 words · about 6 min to read
Defines: 6 terms
Cross-references: cites 4; cited by 0 Code sections and 1 other regulation
Regulations: 5 issued under this section

¶(a) State and local governmental exemption

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, no tax shall be imposed by section 4481 on the use of any highway motor vehicle by any State or any political subdivision of a State.

¶(b) Exemption for United States

The Secretary of the Treasury may authorize exemption from the tax imposed by section 4481 as to the use by the United States of any particular highway motor vehicle, or class of highway motor vehicles, if he determines that the imposition of such tax with respect to such use will cause substantial burden or expense which can be avoided by granting tax exemption and that full benefit of such exemption, if granted, will accrue to the United States.

¶(c) Certain transit-type buses

Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, no tax shall be imposed by section 4481 on the use of any bus which is of the transit type (rather than of the intercity type) by a person who, for the last 3 months of the preceding year (or for such other period as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe for purposes of this subsection), met the 60-percent passenger fare revenue test set forth in section 6421(b)(2) (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Energy Tax Act of 1978) as applied to the period prescribed for purposes of this subsection.

¶(d) Exemption for trucks used for less than 5,000 miles on public highways

¶(1) Suspension of tax

¶(A) In general If—

¶(i) it is reasonable to expect that the use of any highway motor vehicle on public highways during any taxable period will be less than 5,000 miles, and

¶(ii) the owner of such vehicle furnishes such information as the Secretary may by forms or regulations require with respect to the expected use of such vehicle,

then the collection of the tax imposed by section 4481 with respect to the use of such vehicle shall be suspended during the taxable period.

¶(B) Suspension ceases to apply where use exceeds 5,000 miles

Subparagraph (A) shall cease to apply with respect to any highway motor vehicle whenever the use of such vehicle on public highways during the taxable period exceeds 5,000 miles.

¶(2) Exemption If—

¶(A) the collection of the tax imposed by section 4481 with respect to any highway motor vehicle is suspended under paragraph (1),

¶(B) such vehicle is not used during the taxable period on public highways for more than 5,000 miles, and

¶(C) except as otherwise provided in regulations, the owner of such vehicle furnishes such information as the Secretary may require with respect to the use of such vehicle during the taxable period,

then no tax shall be imposed by section 4481 on the use of such vehicle for the taxable period.

¶(3) Refund where tax paid and vehicle not used for more than 5,000 miles If—

¶(A) the tax imposed by section 4481 is paid with respect to any highway motor vehicle for any taxable period, and

¶(B) the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) are met with respect to such taxable period,

the amount of such tax shall be credited or refunded (without interest) to the person who paid such tax.

¶(4) Relief from liability for tax under certain circumstances where truck is transferred Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the owner of a highway motor vehicle with respect to which the collection of the tax imposed by section 4481 is suspended under paragraph (1) shall not be liable for the tax imposed by section 4481 (and the new owner shall be liable for such tax) with respect to such vehicle if—

¶(A) such vehicle is transferred to a new owner,

¶(B) such suspension is in effect at the time of such transfer, and

¶(C) the old owner furnishes such information as the Secretary by forms and regulations requires with respect to the transfer of such vehicle.

¶(5) 7,500-miles exemption for agricultural vehicles

¶(A) In general

In the case of an agricultural vehicle, paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be applied by substituting “7,500” for “5,000” each place it appears.

¶(B) Definitions For purposes of this paragraph—

¶(i) Agricultural vehicle The term “agricultural vehicle” means any highway motor vehicle—

¶(I) used primarily for farming purposes, and

¶(II) registered (under the laws of the State in which such vehicle is required to be registered) as a highway motor vehicle used for farming purposes.

¶(ii) Farming purposes

The term “farming purposes” means the transporting of any farm commodity to or from a farm or the use directly in agricultural production.

¶(iii) Farm commodity

The term “farm commodity” means any agricultural or horticultural commodity, feed, seed, fertilizer, livestock, bees, poultry, fur-bearing animals, or wildlife.

¶(6) Owner defined

For purposes of this subsection, the term “owner” means, with respect to any highway motor vehicle, the person described in section 4481(b).

¶(e) Reduction in tax for trucks used in logging The tax imposed by section 4481 shall be reduced by 25 percent with respect to any highway motor vehicle if—

¶(1) the exclusive use of such vehicle during any taxable period is the transportation, to and from a point located on a forested site, of products harvested from such forested site, and

¶(2) such vehicle is registered (under the laws of the State in which such vehicle is required to be registered) as a highway motor vehicle used in the transportation of harvested forest products.

¶[(f) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 867(d), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1622]

¶(g) Exemption for mobile machinery

No tax shall be imposed by section 4481 on the use of any vehicle described in section 4053(8).

¶(h) Exemption for vehicles used in blood collection

¶(1) In general

No tax shall be imposed by section 4481 on the use of any qualified blood collector vehicle by a qualified blood collector organization.

¶(2) Qualified blood collector vehicle

For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified blood collector vehicle” means a vehicle at least 80 percent of the use of which during the prior taxable period was by a qualified blood collector organization in the collection, storage, or transportation of blood.

¶(3) Special rule for vehicles first placed in service in a taxable period

In the case of a vehicle first placed in service in a taxable period, a vehicle shall be treated as a qualified blood collector vehicle for such taxable period if such qualified blood collector organization certifies to the Secretary that the organization reasonably expects at least 80 percent of the use of such vehicle by the organization during such taxable period will be in the collection, storage, or transportation of blood.

¶(4) Qualified blood collector organization

The term “qualified blood collector organization” has the meaning given such term by section 7701(a)(49).

¶(i) Termination of exemptions

Subsections (a) and (c) shall not apply on and after October 1, 2029.

(Added June 29, 1956, ch. 462, title II, § 206(a), 70 Stat. 391; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), (B), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 95–618, title II, § 233(a)(3)(C), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3191; Pub. L. 97–424, title V, §§ 513(b), 516(b)(3), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2177, 2183; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IX, §§ 902(a), 903(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1004; Pub. L. 100–17, title V, §§ 502(b)(5), 507(b), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 257, 260; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11211(d)(4), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–427; Pub. L. 102–240, title VIII, § 8002(b)(4), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2203; Pub. L. 105–178, title IX, § 9002(b)(2), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 500; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, §§ 851(b)(1), 867(d), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1607, 1622; Pub. L. 109–14, § 9(c)(4), May 31, 2005, 119 Stat. 336; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11101(b)(2), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1944; Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1207(d), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1070; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, § 142(d), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 356; Pub. L. 112–102, title IV, § 402(d), Mar. 30, 2012, 126 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 112–140, title IV, § 402(c), June 29, 2012, 126 Stat. 403; Pub. L. 112–141, div. D, title I, § 40102(d)(2), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 114–94, div. C, title XXXI, § 31102(d)(2), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1727; Pub. L. 117–58, div. H, title I, § 80102(d)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1328.)

Terms defined here

Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.

agricultural vehicle § 4483(d)(5)(B)(i)
farm commodity § 4483(d)(5)(B)(iii)
farming purposes § 4483(d)(5)(B)(ii)
owner § 4483(d)(6)
qualified blood collector organization § 4483(h)(4)
qualified blood collector vehicle § 4483(h)(2)

Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 4483

Cross-references

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

This section cites 4 other sections

Cited in 1 regulation not issued under it

§ 41.4481-1 Imposition and computation of tax.

Amendment history

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

November 15, 2021Amended by Pub. L. 117–58Parts changed in 2021: (i)
December 4, 2015Amended by Pub. L. 114–94Parts changed in 2015: (i)
July 6, 2012Amended by Pub. L. 112–141Parts changed in 2012: (i)
June 29, 2012Amended by Pub. L. 112–140
March 30, 2012Amended by Pub. L. 112–102
September 16, 2011Amended by Pub. L. 112–30Parts changed in 2011: (i)
August 17, 2006Amended by Pub. L. 109–280Parts changed in 2006: (h)
August 10, 2005Amended by Pub. L. 109–59Parts changed in 2005: (h)
May 31, 2005Amended by Pub. L. 109–14
October 22, 2004Amended by Pub. L. 108–357Parts changed in 2004: (f) (g)
June 9, 1998Amended by Pub. L. 105–178Parts changed in 1998: (g)
December 18, 1991Amended by Pub. L. 102–240Parts changed in 1991: (g)
November 5, 1990Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (g)
April 2, 1987Amended by Pub. L. 100–17Parts changed in 1987: (f) (g)
July 18, 1984Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (d)(5) (e)
January 6, 1983Amended by Pub. L. 97–424Parts changed in 1983: (d) (e)
November 9, 1978Amended by Pub. L. 95–618Parts changed in 1978: (c)
October 4, 1976Added by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a) (b)

Where it sits in the Code

Nearby sections

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of the Energy Tax Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (c), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 95–618, which was approved Nov. 9, 1978.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–58 substituted “October 1, 2029” for “October 1, 2023”.

2015—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “October 1, 2023” for “October 1, 2017”.

2012—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “October 1, 2017” for “July 1, 2012”.

Pub. L. 112–140, §§ 1(c), 402(c), temporarily substituted “July 7, 2012” for “July 1, 2012”. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 112–102 substituted “July 1, 2012” for “April 1, 2012”.

2011—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112–30 substituted “April 1, 2012” for “October 1, 2011”.

2006—Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 109–280, which directed the amendment of section 4483 by adding subsec. (h) and redesignating former subsec. (h) as (i), without specifying the act to be amended, was executed by making the amendments to this section, which is section 4483 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

2005—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “2011” for “2006”.

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

2004—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 108–357, § 867(d), struck out heading and text of subsec. (f). Text read as follows: “If the base for registration purposes of any highway motor vehicle is in a contiguous foreign country for any taxable period, the tax imposed by section 4481 for such period shall be 75 percent of the tax which would (but for this subsection) be imposed by section 4481 for such period.”

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 108–357, § 851(b)(1), added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).

1998—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–178 substituted “2005” for “1999”.

1991—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–240 substituted “1999” for “1995”.

1990—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “1995” for “1993”.

1987—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–17, § 507(b), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).

Pub. L. 100–17, § 502(b)(5), substituted “1993” for “1988”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–17, § 507(b), redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g).

1984—Subsec. (d)(5), (6). Pub. L. 98–369, § 903(a), added par. (5) and redesignated former par. (5) as (6).

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 98–369, § 902(a), added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).

1983—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–424, § 513(b), added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–424, § 516(b)(3), added subsec. (e).

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–618 inserted “(as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Energy Tax Act of 1978)” after “section 6421(b)(2)”.

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

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(B), inserted “of the Treasury” after “Secretary”.

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

Amendment by 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 July 1, 2012, see section 402(f)(1) 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 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–280 effective Jan. 1, 2007, and applicable to taxable periods beginning on or after July 1, 2007, see section 1207(g) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 851(b)(2), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1608, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004].”

Amendment by section 867(d) of Pub. L. 108–357 applicable to taxable periods beginning after Oct. 22, 2004, see section 867(e) of Pub. L. 108–357, set out as a note under section 4481 of this title.

Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Amendment by section 507(b) of Pub. L. 100–17 effective July 1, 1987, see section 507(d) of Pub. L. 100–17, set out as a note under section 4481 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IX, § 902(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1004, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on July 1, 1984.”

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IX, § 903(b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1004, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the amendments made by section 513 of the Highway Revenue Act of 1982 [Pub. L. 97–424, see section 513(f) of Pub. L. 97–424, set out as an Effective Date of 1983 Amendment note under section 4481 of this title].”

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by section 513(b) 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 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–618 effective on first day of first calendar month which begins more than 10 days after Nov. 9, 1978, see section 233(d) of Pub. L. 95–618, set out as a note under section 34 of this title.

Special Rules in the Case of Small Owner-Operators

Amendment by section 513(b) 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.