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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 6420. Gasoline used on farms

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. § 6420

At a glance

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

Status
In force
Added
September 2, 1958 by Pub. L. 85–859
Last amended
March 23, 2018 by Pub. L. 115–141
Amendments
15 dated changes in the source credit
Length
9 subsections · 1,309 words · about 6 min to read
Defines
2 terms
Cross-references
cites 10; cited by 19 Code sections and 10 other regulations
Regulations
7 issued under this section
(a) Gasoline Except as provided in subsection (g), if gasoline is used on a farm for farming purposes, the Secretary shall pay (without interest) to the ultimate purchaser of such gasoline the amount determined by multiplying—
(1) the number of gallons so used, by
(2) the rate of tax on gasoline under section 4081 which applied on the date he purchased such gasoline.
(b) Time for filing claims; period covered

Not more than one claim may be filed under this section by any person with respect to gasoline used during his taxable year, and no claim shall be allowed under this section with respect to gasoline used during any taxable year unless filed by such person not later than the time prescribed by law for filing a claim for credit or refund of overpayment of income tax for such taxable year. For purposes of this subsection, a person’s taxable year shall be his taxable year for purposes of subtitle A.

(c) Meaning of terms For purposes of this section—
(1) Use on a farm for farming purposes

Gasoline shall be treated as used on a farm for farming purposes only if used (A) in carrying on a trade or business, (B) on a farm situated in the United States, and (C) for farming purposes.

(2) Farm

The term “farm” includes stock, dairy, poultry, fruit, fur-bearing animal, and truck farms, plantations, ranches, nurseries, ranges, greenhouses or other similar structures used primarily for the raising of agricultural or horticultural commodities, and orchards.

(3) Farming purposes Gasoline shall be treated as used for farming purposes only if used—
(A) by the owner, tenant, or operator of a farm, in connection with cultivating the soil, or in connection with raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity, including the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training, and management of livestock, bees, poultry, and fur-bearing animals and wildlife, on a farm of which he is the owner, tenant, or operator;
(B) by the owner, tenant, or operator of a farm, in handling, drying, packing, grading, or storing any agricultural or horticultural commodity in its unmanufactured state; but only if such owner, tenant or operator produced more than one-half of the commodity which he so treated during the period with respect to which claim is filed;
(C) by the owner, tenant, or operator of a farm, in connection with—
(i) the planting, cultivating, caring for, or cutting of trees, or
(ii) the preparation (other than milling) of trees for market,
incidental to farming operations; or
(D) by the owner, tenant, or operator of a farm, in connection with the operation, management, conservation, improvement, or maintenance of such farm and its tools and equipment.
(4) Certain farming use other than by owner, etc. In applying paragraph (3)(A) to a use on a farm for any purpose described in paragraph (3)(A) by any person other than the owner, tenant, or operator of such farm—
(A) the owner, tenant, or operator of such farm shall be treated as the user and ultimate purchaser of the gasoline, except that
(B) if the person so using the gasoline is an aerial or other applicator of fertilizers or other substances and is the ultimate purchaser of the gasoline, then subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply and the aerial or other applicator shall be treated as having used such gasoline on a farm for farming purposes.
In the case of an aerial applicator, gasoline shall be treated as used on a farm for farming purposes if the gasoline is used for the direct flight between the airfield and one or more farms.
(5) Gasoline

The term “gasoline” has the meaning given to such term by section 4083(a).

(d) Exempt sales; other payments or refunds available

No amount shall be payable under this section with respect to any gasoline which the Secretary determines was exempt from the tax imposed by section 4081. The amount which (but for this sentence) would be payable under this section with respect to any gasoline shall be reduced by any other amount which the Secretary determines is payable under this section, or is refundable under any provision of this title, to any person with respect to such gasoline.

(e) Applicable laws
(1) In general

All provisions of law, including penalties, applicable in respect of the tax imposed by section 4081 shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with this section, apply in respect of the payments provided for in this section to the same extent as if such payments constituted refunds of overpayments of the tax so imposed.

(2) Examination of books and witnesses

For the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of any claim made under this section, or the correctness of any payment made in respect of any such claim, the Secretary shall have the authority granted by paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 7602(a) (relating to examination of books and witnesses) as if the claimant were the person liable for tax.

(3) Fractional parts of a dollar

Section 7504 (granting the Secretary discretion with respect to fractional parts of a dollar) shall not apply.

(f) Regulations

The Secretary may by regulations prescribe the conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, under which payments may by made under this section.

(g) Income tax credit in lieu of payment
(1) Persons not subject to income tax Payment shall be made under subsection (a), only to—
(A) the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions, or
(B) an organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) (other than an organization required to make a return of the tax imposed under subtitle A for its taxable year).
(2) Allowance of credit against income tax

For allowance of credit against the tax imposed by subtitle A, see section 34.

[(h) Repealed. Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13241(f)(5), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 512]
(i) Cross references
(1) For exemption from tax in case of special fuels used on a farm for farming purposes, see section 4041(f).
(2) For civil penalty for excessive claim under this section, see section 6675.
(3) For fraud penalties, etc., see chapter 75 (section 7201 and following, relating to crimes, other offenses, and forfeitures).
(4) For treatment of an Indian tribal government as a State (and a subdivision of an Indian tribal government as a political subdivision of a State), see section 7871.

(Added Apr. 2, 1956, ch. 160, § 1, 70 Stat. 87; amended Pub. L. 85–859, title I, § 163(d)(2), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1311; Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 809(a), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 165; Pub. L. 91–258, title II, §§ 205(c)(7), 207(b), May 21, 1970, 84 Stat. 242, 248; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §§ 1906(a)(26), (b)(6)(A), (13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1827, 1833, 1834; Pub. L. 95–458, § 3(a), (c), Oct. 14, 1978, 92 Stat. 1257; Pub. L. 97–424, title V, §§ 511(f), 516(b)(4), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2172, 2183; Pub. L. 97–473, title II, § 202(b)(12), Jan. 14, 1983, 96 Stat. 2610; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 474(r)(38), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 846; Pub. L. 99–499, title V, § 521(c)(1), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1778; Pub. L. 100–17, title V, § 502(b)(6), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 257; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7841(d)(20), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2429; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11211(d)(5), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–427; Pub. L. 102–240, title VIII, § 8002(b)(5), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2203; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §§ 13241(f)(5), 13242(d)(20), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 512, 524; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11121(a), (b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1951; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(289), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1198.)

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 § 6420

Cross-references

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

This section cites 10 other sections

Cited by 19 Code sections

Cited in 10 regulations not issued under it

Amendment history

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

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 115–141Parts changed in 2018: (i)(4)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 109–59Parts changed in 2005: (c)(4) (c)(4)(B)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 103–66Parts changed in 1993: (c)(5) (h)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 102–240Parts changed in 1991: (h)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (h)
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (e)(2)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 100–17Parts changed in 1987: (h)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 99–499Parts changed in 1986: (h)
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (g)(2)
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 97–473Parts changed in 1983: (c)(4)(B) (h) (h)(4) (i) (i)(4)
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 97–424
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 95–458Parts changed in 1978: (c)(3)(A) (c)(4)
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (a) (b) (c)(3)(A) (d) (e)(1) (e)(2) (g) (h)
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 91–258Parts changed in 1970: (b)(2)(B) (i)(1)
  15. Amended by Pub. L. 89–44Parts changed in 1965: (a) (b) (d) (h)
  16. Added by Pub. L. 85–859Parts changed in 1958: (c)(3)(A)

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle F Procedure and Administration
  2. Chapter 65 ABATEMENTS, CREDITS, AND REFUNDS
  3. Subchapter B Rules of Special Application

Nearby sections

Official notes

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

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6420 was renumbered section 6422 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “State (and” for “State and”.

2005—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11121(b), inserted concluding provisions.

Subsec. (c)(4)(B). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11121(a), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “if—

“(i) the person so using the gasoline is an aerial or other applicator of fertilizers or other substances and is the ultimate purchaser of the gasoline, and

“(ii) the person described in subparagraph (A) waives (at such time and in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe) his right to be treated as the user and ultimate purchaser of the gasoline,

then subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply and the aerial or other applicator shall be treated as having used such gasoline on a farm for farming purposes.”

1993—Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13242(d)(20), substituted “section 4083(a)” for “section 4082(b)”.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13241(f)(5), struck out heading and text of subsec. (h). Text read as follows: “Except with respect to taxes imposed by section 4081 at the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate, this section shall apply only with respect to gasoline purchased before October 1, 1999.”

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

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

1989—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted “section 7602(a)” for “section 7602”.

1987—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 100–17 substituted “1993” for “1988”.

1986—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99–499 substituted “Except with respect to taxes imposed by section 4081 at the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate, this section” for “This section”.

1984—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 98–369 substituted “section 34” for “section 39”.

1983—Subsec. (c)(4)(B). Pub. L. 97–424, § 511(f), substituted provision that, if the person so using the gasoline is an aerial or other applicator of fertilizers or other substances and is the ultimate purchaser of the gasoline, and the person described in subparagraph (A) waives (at such time and in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe) his right to be treated as the user and ultimate purchaser of the gasoline, then subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not apply and the aerial or other applicator shall be treated as having used such gasoline on a farm for farming purposes, for provision that, if the person so using the gasoline were an aerial applicator who was the ultimate purchaser of the gasoline and the person described in subparagraph (A) waived (at such time and in such form and manner as the Secretary was to prescribe) his right to be treated as the user and ultimate purchaser of the gasoline, then subparagraph (A) of this paragraph would not apply and the aerial applicator would be treated as having used such gasoline on a farm for farming purposes.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 97–424, § 516(b)(4), added subsec. (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 97–473 purported to add par. (4). See Amendment note below for subsec. (i)(4).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 97–424, § 516(b)(4), redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).

Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 97–473 added par. (4). Notwithstanding the directory language that par. (4) be added to subsec. (h), it was added to subsec. (i) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening redesignation of subsec. (h) as (i) by Pub. L. 97–424.

1978—Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 95–458, § 3(c), struck out provision that if the use of gasoline is by any person other than the owner, tenant, or operator of a farm, then in applying subsec. (a) of this subparagraph, the owner, tenant, or operator of the farm on which gasoline or a liquid taxable under section 4041 is used would be treated as the user or ultimate purchaser of the gasoline or liquid.

Subsec. (c)(4), (5). Pub. L. 95–458, § 3(a), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(a)(26) (C)(ii), (b)(13)(A), substituted “subsection (g)” for “subsection (h)” and struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(a)(26)(A), among other changes, struck out provisions relating to gasoline used before July 1, 1965, and struck out requirement that a person’s first taxable year beginning after June 30, 1965, include the period after June 30, 1965, and before the beginning of that first taxable year.

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(6)(A), among other changes, struck out “and for purposes of section 6416(b)(2)(G)(ii) (but not for purposes of section 4041),” after “in applying subsection (a) to this subparagraph,” and provision that if the use of gasoline is by any person other than the owner, tenant, or operator of the farm, then, for purposes of applying section 6416(b)(2)(G)(ii), any tax paid under section 4041 in respect of a liquid used on a farm for farming purposes be treated as having been paid by the owner, tenant, or operator of the farm on which such liquid is used.

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

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(a)(26)(B), substituted “apply in respect” for “apply in in respect”.

Subsecs. (e)(2), (f). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(a)(26)(C)(i), (D), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g), struck out in par. (1) “with respect to gasoline used after June 30, 1965,” after “subsection (a)”, and in par. (2) “for gasoline used after June 30, 1965” after “subtitle A”. Former subsec. (g), which provided that this section applies only with respect to gasoline purchased after Dec. 31, 1955, was struck out.

Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(a)(26)(C)(i), redesignated subsecs. (h) and (i) as (g) and (h), respectively.

1970—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 91–258, § 207(b), substituted “a claim for credit or refund of overpayment of income tax” for “an income tax return” after “time prescribed by law for filing”.

Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 91–258, § 205(c)(7)(A), (B), substituted “special fuels” for “diesel fuel and special motor fuels” and “section 4041(f)” for “section 4041(d)”, respectively.

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–44, § 809(a)(1)(A), substituted “Except as provided in subsection (h), if” for “If”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–44, § 809(a)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and made it applicable to gasoline used before July 1, 1965, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–44, § 809(a)(3), substituted “payable” for “paid” in first sentence.

Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 89–44, § 809(a)(1)(B), added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).

1958—Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 85–859 substituted “section 6416(b)(2)(G)(ii)” for “section 6416(b)(2)(C)(ii)” in two places in cl. (A).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–59 applicable to fuel use or air transportation after Sept. 30, 2005, see section 11121(d) of Pub. L. 109–59, set out as a note under section 4261 of this title.

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Amendment by section 13241(f)(5) of Pub. L. 103–66 effective Oct. 1, 1993, see section 13241(g) of Pub. L. 103–66, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Amendment by section 13242(d)(20) of 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. 99–499 effective Jan. 1, 1987, see section 521(e) of Pub. L. 99–499, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1983, and to carrybacks from such years, see section 475(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section 21 of this title.

Effective Date of 1983 Amendments

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 97–473, see section 204 of Pub. L. 97–473, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7871 of this title.

Amendment by section 511(f) of Pub. L. 97–424 effective Apr. 1, 1983, see section 511(h)(1) of Pub. L. 97–424, set out as a note under section 4041 of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–458, § 3(d), Oct. 14, 1978, 92 Stat. 1257, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 6427 of this title] shall take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter which begins more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 14, 1978].”

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 1906(a)(26), (b)(13)(A) of Pub. L. 94–455 effective on first day of first month which begins more than 90 days after Oct. 4, 1976, see section 1906(d)(1) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 6013 of this title.

Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(6)(B), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834, provided that: “The amendments made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to the use of liquids after December 31, 1970.”

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–258 effective July 1, 1970, and applicable with respect to taxable years ending after June 30, 1970, respectively, see section 211(a), (b) 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, § 809(f), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 168, provided that: “The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and section 6421 of this title] shall apply with respect to gasoline used on or after July 1, 1965. The amendments made by subsections (c) and (d) [renumbering section 39 as 40, enacting section 39 and amending sections 72, 874, 1314, 1481, 6201, 6211, 6213, and 6401 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 1965.”

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 85–859 effective on first day of first calendar quarter which begins more than 60 days after Sept. 2, 1958, see section 1(c) of Pub. L. 85–859, set out as a note under section 6415 of this title.