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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 9502. Airport and Airway Trust Fund

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. § 9502

At a glance

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

Status
In force
Added
September 3, 1982 by Pub. L. 97–248
Last amended
May 16, 2024 by Pub. L. 118–63
Amendments
60 dated changes in the source credit
Length
6 subsections · 2,351 words · about 10 min to read
Cross-references
cites 12; cited by 0 Code sections and 0 other regulations
(a) Creation of Trust Fund

There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the “Airport and Airway Trust Fund”, consisting of such amounts as may be appropriated, credited, or paid into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund as provided in this section, section 9503(c)(5), or section 9602(b).

(b) Transfers to Airport and Airway Trust Fund There are hereby appropriated to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund amounts equivalent to—
(1) the taxes received in the Treasury under—
(A) section 4041(c) (relating to aviation fuels),
(B) section 4043 (relating to surtax on fuel used in aircraft part of a fractional ownership program),
(C) sections 4261 and 4271 (relating to transportation by air), and
(D) section 4081 with respect to aviation gasoline and kerosene to the extent attributable to the rate specified in section 4081(a)(2)(C), and
(2) the amounts determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be equivalent to the amounts of civil penalties collected under section 47107(m) of title 49, United States Code.
There shall not be taken into account under paragraph (1) so much of the taxes imposed by section 4081 as are determined at the rate specified in section 4081(a)(2)(B).
(c) Appropriation of additional sums

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund such additional sums as may be required to make the expenditures referred to in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Expenditures from Airport and Airway Trust Fund
(1) Airport and airway program Amounts in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund shall be available, as provided by appropriation Acts, for making expenditures before October 1, 2028, to meet those obligations of the United States—
(A) incurred under title I of the Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 or of the Airport and Airway Development Act Amendments of 1976 or of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 or under the Fiscal Year 1981 Airport Development Authorization Act or the provisions of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 or the Airport and Airway Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1987 or the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1990 or the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 or the Airport and Airway Safety, Capacity, Noise Improvement, and Intermodal Transportation Act of 1992 or the Airport Improvement Program Temporary Extension Act of 1994 or the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 or the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996 or the provisions of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 providing for payments from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund or the Interim Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act or section 6002 of the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, Public Law 106–59, or the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century or the Aviation and Transportation Security Act or the Vision 100—Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act or any joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008 or the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2008 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2008 or the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008 or the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008, Part II or the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2009 or any joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2010 or the Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act or the Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act, Part II or the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part II or the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part III or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part IV or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part II or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part III or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part V or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2012 or the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2016 or the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 or the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2018 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2018, Part II or the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 or title II of division B of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Part II or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024 or the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024, Part II or the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024;
(B) heretofore or hereafter incurred under part A of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, which are attributable to planning, research and development, construction, or operation and maintenance of—
(i) air traffic control,
(ii) air navigation,
(iii) communications, or
(iv) supporting services,
for the airway system; or
(C) for those portions of the administrative expenses of the Department of Transportation which are attributable to activities described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
Any reference in subparagraph (A) to an Act shall be treated as a reference to such Act and the corresponding provisions (if any) of title 49, United States Code, as such Act and provisions were in effect on the date of the enactment of the last Act referred to in subparagraph (A).
(2) Transfers from Airport and Airway Trust Fund on account of certain refunds

The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay from time to time from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund into the general fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the amounts paid after August 31, 1982, in respect of fuel used in aircraft, under section 6420 (relating to amounts paid in respect of gasoline used on farms), 6421 (relating to amounts paid in respect of gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes), or 6427 (relating to fuels not used for taxable purposes) (other than subsection (l)(4) thereof).

(3) Transfers from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund on account of certain section 34 credits

The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay from time to time from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund into the general fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the credits allowed under section 34 (other than payments made by reason of paragraph (4) of section 6427(l)) with respect to fuel used after August 31, 1982. Such amounts shall be transferred on the basis of estimates by the Secretary of the Treasury, and proper adjustments shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or less than the credits allowed.

(4) Transfers for refunds and credits not to exceed Trust Fund revenues attributable to fuel used

The amounts payable from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund under paragraph (2) or (3) shall not exceed the amounts required to be appropriated to such Trust Fund with respect to fuel so used.

(5) Transfers from Airport and Airway Trust Fund on account of refunds of taxes on transportation by air

The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay from time to time from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund into the general fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the amounts paid after December 31, 1995, under section 6402 (relating to authority to make credits or refunds) or section 6415 (relating to credits or refunds to persons who collected certain taxes) in respect of taxes under sections 4261 and 4271.

(6) Transfers from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund on account of certain airports

The Secretary of the Treasury may transfer from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration an amount to make a payment to an airport affected by a diversion that is the subject of an administrative action under paragraph (3) or a civil action under paragraph (4) of section 47107(m) of title 49, United States Code.

(e) Limitation on transfers to Trust Fund
(1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), no amount may be appropriated or credited to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund on and after the date of any expenditure from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund which is not permitted by this section. The determination of whether an expenditure is so permitted shall be made without regard to—
(A) any provision of law which is not contained or referenced in this title or in a revenue Act; and
(B) whether such provision of law is a subsequently enacted provision or directly or indirectly seeks to waive the application of this subsection.
(2) Exception for prior obligations

Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any expenditure to liquidate any contract entered into (or for any amount otherwise obligated) before October 1, 2028, in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(f) Additional transfer to Trust Fund

Out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby appropriated $14,000,000,000 to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.

(Added Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 281(a), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 565; amended Pub. L. 97–424, title IV, § 426(e), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2168; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 474(r)(42), title VII, § 735(c)(15), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 847, 984; Pub. L. 99–499, title V, § 521(b)(2), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1778; Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10502(d)(12), (g), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–444, 1330–446; Pub. L. 100–223, title IV, §§ 402(a)(3), 403, Dec. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 1532; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7822(b)(5), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2425; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §§ 11211(b)(6)(G), 11213(c), (d)(3), (4), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–426, 1388–435, 1388–436; Pub. L. 102–581, title V, §§ 501, 502(a), Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4898; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13242(d)(32), (33), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 526, 527; Pub. L. 103–260, title I, § 108, May 26, 1994, 108 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(g)(3), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1375; Pub. L. 103–305, title IV, § 401, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1594; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §§ 1609(c), (g)(4)(C), (D), 1703(n)(10), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1841, 1843, 1877; Pub. L. 104–264, title VIII, § 806, title X, § 1001, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3274, 3278; Pub. L. 105–2, § 2(c), Feb. 28, 1997, 111 Stat. 5; Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1031(d), title XVI, § 1604(g)(5), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 932, 1099; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, §§ 6010(g)(2), 6023(31), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 814, 826; Pub. L. 106–181, title X, § 1001, Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 107–71, title I, § 123(b), Nov. 19, 2001, 115 Stat. 631; Pub. L. 108–176, title IX, § 901, Dec. 12, 2003, 117 Stat. 2597; Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 853(d)(2)(N), (O), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1613, 1614; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11161(c)(2)(A), (B), (d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1972; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title IV, § 420(b)(5), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2969; Pub. L. 110–92, § 149(b), Sept. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 996; Pub. L. 110–161, div. K, title I, § 116(c), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2382; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(f)(1), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2489; Pub. L. 110–190, § 3(a), (b), Feb. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 643; Pub. L. 110–253, § 3(a), (b), June 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2417; Pub. L. 110–330, § 3(a), (b), Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3717; Pub. L. 111–12, § 3(a), (b), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1457; Pub. L. 111–68, div. B, § 156(c), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2050; Pub. L. 111–69, § 3(a), (b), Oct. 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 2054; Pub. L. 111–116, § 3(a), (b), Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, § 444(b)(1), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 94; Pub. L. 111–153, § 3(a), (b), Mar. 31, 2010, 124 Stat. 1084; Pub. L. 111–161, § 3(a), (b), Apr. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1126; Pub. L. 111–197, § 3(a), (b), July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1353; Pub. L. 111–216, title I, § 102(a), (b), Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2349; Pub. L. 111–249, § 3(a), (b), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2627; Pub. L. 111–329, § 3(a), (b), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3566; Pub. L. 112–7, § 3(a), (b), Mar. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 31; Pub. L. 112–16, § 3(a), (b), May 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 218; Pub. L. 112–21, § 3(a), (b), June 29, 2011, 125 Stat. 233; Pub. L. 112–27, § 3(a), (b), Aug. 5, 2011, 125 Stat. 270; Pub. L. 112–30, title II, § 203(a), (b), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 357; Pub. L. 112–91, § 3(a), (b), Jan. 31, 2012, 126 Stat. 3; Pub. L. 112–95, title XI, §§ 1102(a), (b), 1103(a)(3), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 148–150; Pub. L. 113–188, title XV, § 1501(b)(2)(D), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2024; Pub. L. 114–55, title II, § 201, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 524; Pub. L. 114–141, title II, § 201, Mar. 30, 2016, 130 Stat. 324; Pub. L. 114–190, title I, § 1201, July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 618; Pub. L. 115–63, title II, § 201, Sept. 29, 2017, 131 Stat. 1171; Pub. L. 115–141, div. M, title I, § 201, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(340), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1048, 1200; Pub. L. 115–250, § 4(b), Sept. 29, 2018, 132 Stat. 3165; Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VIII, § 801, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3428; Pub. L. 116–159, div. B, title II, § 1205, Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 728; Pub. L. 118–15, div. B, title II, § 2211, Sept. 30, 2023, 137 Stat. 85; Pub. L. 118–34, title II, § 201, Dec. 26, 2023, 137 Stat. 1115; Pub. L. 118–41, title II, § 201, Mar. 8, 2024, 138 Stat. 23; Pub. L. 118–60, title II, § 201(b), May 10, 2024, 138 Stat. 1020; Pub. L. 118–63, title XIII, § 1301, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1433.)

Cross-references

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

This section cites 12 other sections

Amendment history

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

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 118–63Parts changed in 2024: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 118–60
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 118–41
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 118–34Parts changed in 2023: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 118–15
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 116–159Parts changed in 2020: (f)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 115–254Parts changed in 2018: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (d)(2) (e)(2)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 115–250
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 115–141
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 115–63Parts changed in 2017: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 114–190Parts changed in 2016: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 114–141
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 114–55Parts changed in 2015: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 113–188Parts changed in 2014: (b)(2)
  15. Amended by Pub. L. 112–95Parts changed in 2012: (b)(1)(B) (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  16. Amended by Pub. L. 112–91
  17. Amended by Pub. L. 112–30Parts changed in 2011: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  18. Amended by Pub. L. 112–27
  19. Amended by Pub. L. 112–21
  20. Amended by Pub. L. 112–16
  21. Amended by Pub. L. 112–7
  22. Amended by Pub. L. 111–329Parts changed in 2010: (a) (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  23. Amended by Pub. L. 111–249
  24. Amended by Pub. L. 111–216
  25. Amended by Pub. L. 111–197
  26. Amended by Pub. L. 111–161
  27. Amended by Pub. L. 111–153
  28. Amended by Pub. L. 111–147
  29. Amended by Pub. L. 111–116Parts changed in 2009: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  30. Amended by Pub. L. 111–68, Pub. L. 111–69
  31. Amended by Pub. L. 111–12
  32. Amended by Pub. L. 110–330Parts changed in 2008: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(2)
  33. Amended by Pub. L. 110–253
  34. Amended by Pub. L. 110–190
  35. Amended by Pub. L. 110–172Parts changed in 2007: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e) (f) (f)(2)
  36. Amended by Pub. L. 110–161
  37. Amended by Pub. L. 110–92
  38. Amended by Pub. L. 109–432Parts changed in 2006: (d)(2) (d)(3)
  39. Amended by Pub. L. 109–59Parts changed in 2005: (a) (b)(1)(A) (b)(1)(C) (d)(2) (d)(3)
  40. Amended by Pub. L. 108–357Parts changed in 2004: (b) (b)(1)(B)
  41. Amended by Pub. L. 108–176Parts changed in 2003: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (f)(2)
  42. Amended by Pub. L. 107–71Parts changed in 2001: (d)(1)(A)
  43. Amended by Pub. L. 106–181Parts changed in 2000: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (f)
  44. Amended by Pub. L. 105–206Parts changed in 1998: (b) (e)
  45. Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (b)(1) (b)(1)(C) (b)(1)(D) (d)(5) (f) (f)(3)
  46. Amended by Pub. L. 105–2
  47. Amended by Pub. L. 104–264Parts changed in 1996: (b)(1) (b)(2) (b)(3) (b)(5) (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (d)(5) (f)(1)(A) (f)(3)
  48. Amended by Pub. L. 104–188
  49. Amended by Pub. L. 103–305Parts changed in 1994: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (d)(1)(B)
  50. Amended by Pub. L. 103–272
  51. Amended by Pub. L. 103–260
  52. Amended by Pub. L. 103–66Parts changed in 1993: (b)(2) (f)
  53. Amended by Pub. L. 102–581Parts changed in 1992: (d)(1) (d)(1)(A) (e)(1)
  54. Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (b) (d)(1)(A) (d)(4) (e)
  55. Amended by Pub. L. 101–239Parts changed in 1989: (b)(3)
  56. Amended by Pub. L. 100–223Parts changed in 1987: (b) (b)(3) (b)(4) (d)(1)
  57. Amended by Pub. L. 100–203
  58. Amended by Pub. L. 99–499Parts changed in 1986: (b)(1) (b)(2)
  59. Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (b)(3) (d)(3)
  60. Amended by Pub. L. 97–424Parts changed in 1983: (d)(1)(A)
  61. Added by Pub. L. 97–248

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle I Trust Fund Code
  2. Chapter 98 TRUST FUND CODE
  3. Subchapter A Establishment of Trust Funds

Nearby sections

Official notes

The Law Revision Counsel's notes for this section (amendments, effective dates and related laws) are long, so they have their own page.