26 U.S.C. § 40
Alcohol, etc., used as fuel
The alcohol mixture credit of any taxpayer for any taxable year is 60 cents for each gallon of alcohol used by the taxpayer in the production of a qualified mixture.
No credit shall be allowed under this section with respect to any casual off-farm production of a qualified mixture.
No credit shall be allowed under subparagraph (A)(i) with respect to any alcohol which was sold in a retail sale described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
In the case of any alcohol with a proof which is at least 150 but less than 190, paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A) shall be applied by substituting “45 cents” for “60 cents”.
The small ethanol producer credit of any eligible small ethanol producer for any taxable year is 10 cents for each gallon of qualified ethanol fuel production of such producer.
The qualified ethanol fuel production of any producer for any taxable year shall not exceed 15,000,000 gallons (determined without regard to any qualified second generation biofuel production).
The qualified ethanol fuel production of any producer for any taxable year shall not include any alcohol which is purchased by the producer and with respect to which such producer increases the proof of the alcohol by additional distillation.
The adding of any denaturant to alcohol shall not be treated as the production of a mixture.
The second generation biofuel producer credit of any taxpayer is an amount equal to the applicable amount for each gallon of qualified second generation biofuel production.
The term “second generation biofuel” shall not include any alcohol with a proof of less than 150. The determination of the proof of any alcohol shall be made without regard to any added denaturants.
Rules similar to the rules under subsection (g)(6) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph.
No credit shall be determined under this paragraph with respect to any taxpayer unless such taxpayer is registered with the Secretary as a producer of second generation biofuel under section 4101.
This paragraph shall apply with respect to qualified second generation biofuel production after
If this paragraph ceases to apply for any period by reason of clause (i), rules similar to the rules of subsection (e)(2) shall apply.
The amount of the credit determined under this section with respect to any alcohol shall, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, be properly reduced to take into account any benefit provided with respect to such alcohol solely by reason of the application of section 4041(b)(2), section 6426, or section 6427(e).
The determination of the proof of any alcohol shall be made without regard to any added denaturants.
The term “special fuel” includes any liquid fuel (other than gasoline) which is suitable for use in an internal combustion engine.
All provisions of law, including penalties, shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with this section, apply in respect of any tax imposed under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) as if such tax were imposed by section 4081 and not by this chapter.
For purposes of determining under subsection (a) the number of gallons of alcohol with respect to which a credit is allowable under subsection (a), the volume of alcohol shall include the volume of any denaturant (including gasoline) which is added under any formulas approved by the Secretary to the extent that such denaturants do not exceed 2 percent of the volume of such alcohol (including denaturants).
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, rules similar to the rules of subsection (d) of section 52 shall apply.
No second generation biofuel producer credit shall be determined under subsection (a) with respect to any second generation biofuel unless such second generation biofuel is produced in the United States and used as a fuel in the United States. For purposes of this subsection, the term “United States” includes any possession of the United States.
No credit shall be determined under this section with respect to any alcohol which is produced outside the United States for use as a fuel outside the United States. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “United States” includes any possession of the United States.
If this section ceases to apply for any period by reason of paragraph (1), no amount attributable to any sale or use before the first day of such period may be carried under section 39 by reason of this section (treating the amount allowed by reason of this section as the first amount allowed by this subpart) to any taxable year beginning after the 3-taxable-year period beginning with the taxable year in which such first day occurs.
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the portion of the credit allowed under this section by reason of subsection (a)(4).
A taxpayer may elect to have this section not apply for any taxable year.
An election under paragraph (1) for any taxable year may be made (or revoked) at any time before the expiration of the 3-year period beginning on the last date prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (determined without regard to extensions).
An election under paragraph (1) (or revocation thereof) shall be made in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.
The term “eligible small ethanol producer” means a person who, at all times during the taxable year, has a productive capacity for alcohol (as defined in subsection (d)(1)(A) without regard to clauses (i) and (ii)) not in excess of 60,000,000 gallons.
For purposes of the 15,000,000 gallon limitation under subsection (b)(4)(C) and the 60,000,000 gallon limitation under paragraph (1), all members of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of section 267(f)) and all persons under common control (within the meaning of section 52(b) but determined by treating an interest of more than 50 percent as a controlling interest) shall be treated as 1 person.
In the case of a partnership, trust, S corporation, or other pass-thru entity, the limitations contained in subsection (b)(4)(C) and paragraph (1) shall be applied at the entity level and at the partner or similar level.
For purposes of this subsection, in the case of a facility in which more than 1 person has an interest, productive capacity shall be allocated among such persons in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe.
In the case of a cooperative organization described in section 1381(a), any portion of the credit determined under subsection (a)(3) for the taxable year may, at the election of the organization, be apportioned pro rata among patrons of the organization on the basis of the quantity or value of business done with or for such patrons for the taxable year.
An election under clause (i) for any taxable year shall be made on a timely filed return for such year. Such election, once made, shall be irrevocable for such taxable year. Such election shall not take effect unless the organization designates the apportionment as such in a written notice mailed to its patrons during the payment period described in section 1382(d).
The amount of the credit not apportioned to patrons pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be included in the amount determined under subsection (a)(3) for the taxable year of the organization.
The amount of the credit apportioned to patrons pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be included in the amount determined under such subsection for the first taxable year of each patron ending on or after the last day of the payment period (as defined in section 1382(d)) for the taxable year of the organization or, if earlier, for the taxable year of each patron ending on or after the date on which the patron receives notice from the cooperative of the apportionment.
For purposes of paragraph (1), the blender amount and the low-proof blender amount shall be determined in accordance with the following table:
In the case of any sale or use during calendar year: | The blender amount is: | The low-proof blender amount is: |
|---|---|---|
2001 or 2002 | 53 cents | 39.26 cents |
2003 or 2004 | 52 cents | 38.52 cents |
2005, 2006, 2007, or 2008 | 51 cents | 37.78 cents |
2009 through 2011 | 45 cents | 33.33 cents. |
In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2008, if the Secretary makes a determination described in subparagraph (B) with respect to all preceding calendar years beginning after 2007, the last row in the table in paragraph (2) shall be applied by substituting “51 cents” for “45 cents”.
A determination described in this subparagraph with respect to any calendar year is a determination, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, that an amount less than 7,500,000,000 gallons of ethanol (including cellulosic ethanol) has been produced in or imported into the United States in such year.
Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
A prior section 40, added Pub. L. 92–178, title VI, § 601(a),
Another prior section 40 was renumbered section 37 of this title.
2022—Subsec. (b)(6)(J)(i). Pub. L. 117–169 substituted “2025” for “2022”.
2020—Subsec. (b)(6)(J)(i). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “
2019—Subsec. (b)(6)(J)(i). Pub. L. 116–94 substituted “
2018—Subsec. (b)(6)(J)(i). Pub. L. 115–123 substituted “
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “Aggregation” for “Aggregration” in heading.
2015—Subsec. (b)(6)(J)(i). Pub. L. 114–113 substituted “
2014—Subsec. (b)(6)(J)(i). Pub. L. 113–295 substituted “
2013—Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(i), substituted “second generation biofuel” for “cellulosic biofuel” wherever appearing in text in subsecs. (a)(4), (b)(4)(C), (6), and (d)(3)(D), (6).
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(ii), substituted “Second generation” for “Cellulosic” in heading.
Subsec. (b)(6)(C), (D). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(iii), substituted “second generation” for “cellulosic” in heading.
Subsec. (b)(6)(E). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(ii), substituted “Second generation” for “Cellulosic” in heading.
Subsec. (b)(6)(E)(i)(I). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(1), amended subcl. (I) generally. Prior to amendment, subcl. (I) read as follows: “is produced from any lignocellulosic or hemicellulosic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, and”.
Subsec. (b)(6)(E)(ii). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(B), substituted “The term ‘second generation biofuel’ shall not” for “Such term shall not”.
Subsec. (b)(6)(F), (G). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(2), added subpars. (F) and (G). Former subpars. (F) and (G) redesignated as (H) and (I), respectively.
Subsec. (b)(6)(H). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(iii), substituted “second generation” for “cellulosic” in heading.
Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(2), redesignated subpar. (F) as (H). Former subpar. (H) redesignated (J).
Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(a)(1), amended subpar. (H) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “This paragraph shall apply with respect to qualified cellulosic biofuel production after
Subsec. (b)(6)(I), (J). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(2), redesignated subpars. (G) and (H) as (I) and (J), respectively.
Subsec. (d)(3)(D). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(ii), substituted “Second generation” for “Cellulosic” in heading.
Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(iii), substituted “second generation” for “cellulosic” in heading.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(a)(2), struck out “or subsection (b)(6)(H)” after “paragraph (1)”.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 112–240, § 404(b)(3)(A)(iii), substituted “second generation” for “cellulosic” in heading.
2010—Subsec. (b)(6)(E)(iii). Pub. L. 111–240, § 2121(a)(4), substituted “certain” for “unprocessed” in heading.
Pub. L. 111–152 added cl. (iii).
Subsec. (b)(6)(E)(iii)(III). Pub. L. 111–240, § 2121(a)(1)–(3), added subcl. (III).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–312, § 708(a)(1)(A), substituted “
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–312, § 708(a)(1)(B), substituted “
Subsec. (h)(1), (2). Pub. L. 111–312, § 708(a)(2), substituted “2011” for “2010”.
2008—Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(b)(3)(B), inserted “, etc.,” after “Alcohol” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(a), added par. (4).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(e), inserted “(determined without regard to any qualified cellulosic biofuel production)” after “15,000,000 gallons”.
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(b)(1), added par. (6).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(c)(2)(A), substituted “Small ethanol producer” for “Producer” in heading.
Subsec. (d)(3)(D). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(c)(1), added subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(c)(2)(B), substituted “(C), or (D)” for “or (C)”.
Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(c)(1), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E).
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15332(a), substituted “2 percent” for “5 percent”.
Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(d), added par. (6).
Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 110–343 added par. (7).
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(b)(2)(A), inserted “or subsection (b)(6)(H)” after “by reason of paragraph (1)”.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15321(b)(2)(B), added par. (3).
Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15331(a)(1), in table, substituted “2005, 2006, 2007, or 2008” for “2005 through 2010”, struck out period after “37.78 cents”, and inserted last row reading “2009 through 2010”, “45 cents”, and “33.33 cents.”
Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 110–246, § 15331(a)(2), added par. (3).
2005—Subsec. (g)(1), (2), (5)(A). Pub. L. 109–58, § 1347(a), substituted “60,000,000” for “30,000,000”.
Subsec. (g)(6)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 109–58, § 1347(b), inserted at end “Such election shall not take effect unless the organization designates the apportionment as such in a written notice mailed to its patrons during the payment period described in section 1382(d).”
2004—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–357, § 301(c)(1), substituted “section 4041(b)(2), section 6426, or section 6427(e)” for “subsection (b)(2), (k), or (m) of section 4041, section 4081(c), or section 4091(c)”.
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 108–357, § 301(c)(2), reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (4) generally, substituting provisions relating to determination of the number of gallons of alcohol with respect to which a credit is allowable under subsec. (a) for provisions relating to determination of the number of gallons of alcohol with respect to which a credit is allowable under subsec. (a) or the percentage of any mixture which consists of alcohol under section 4041(k) or 4081(c).
Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–357, § 301(c)(3)(A), substituted “2010” for “2007”.
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–357, § 301(c)(3)(B), substituted “2011” for “2008”.
Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 108–357, § 313(a), added par. (6).
Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 108–357, § 301(c)(4)(A), substituted “2010” for “2007” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 108–357, § 301(c)(4)(B), substituted “through 2010” for “, 2006, or 2007” in table.
1998—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 105–178, § 9003(a)(3), substituted “
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–178, § 9003(b)(1), reenacted heading without change and amended text of subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of any alcohol mixture credit or alcohol credit with respect to any alcohol which is ethanol—
“(1) subsections (b)(1)(A) and (b)(2)(A) shall be applied by substituting ‘54 cents’ for ‘60 cents’;
“(2) subsection (b)(3) shall be applied by substituting ‘40 cents’ for ‘45 cents’ and ‘54 cents’ for ‘60 cents’; and
“(3) subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (d)(3) shall be applied by substituting ‘54 cents’ for ‘60 cents’ and ‘40 cents’ for ‘45 cents’.”
1996—Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 104–188 amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “for any period before
1990—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(a)(1), substituted “, plus” for period at end.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(a)(2), added par. (3).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(e)(2), which directed the insertion of “, and except as provided in subsection (h)” in introductory provisions without specifying the location of such insertion, was executed after “section” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(b)(3), substituted “, alcohol credit, and small ethanol producer credit” for “and alcohol credit” in heading.
Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(b)(1), (2), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).
Subsec. (d)(3)(C), (D). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(d)(1), (2), added subpar. (C), redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D), and substituted “subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)” for “subparagraph (A) or (B)”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(f), amended subsec. (e) generally, substituting present provisions for provisions prohibiting the applicability of this section to any sale or use after
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(c), added subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11502(e)(1), added subsec. (h).
1987—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–203 substituted “, section 4081(c), or section 4091(c)” for “or section 4081(c)”.
1984—Pub. L. 98–369, § 471(c), renumbered section 44E of this title as this section.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(k)(1), substituted “For purposes of section 38, the alcohol fuels credit determined under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to the sum of” for “There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum of” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 98–369, § 912(c)(1), substituted “60 cents” for “50 cents”.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 98–369, § 912(c), substituted “45 cents” for “37.5 cents” and “60 cents” for “50 cents”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–369, § 913(b), substituted “(b)(2), (k), or (m)” for “(b)(2) or (k)”.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(k)(2), substituted “the credit determined under this section” for “the credit allowable under this section”.
Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 912(f), substituted “coal (including peat)” for “coal”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(A). Pub. L. 98–369, § 912(c), substituted “60 cents” for “50 cents” and “45 cents” for “37.5 cents”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(k)(3), substituted “credit was determined” for “credit was allowable”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 98–369, § 912(c), substituted “60 cents” for “50 cents” and “45 cents” for “37.5 cents”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(k)(3), substituted “credit was determined” for “credit was allowable”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(k)(4), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e), which had placed a limitation based on the amount of tax, was struck out.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(k)(5), substituted “section 39 by reason of this section (treating the amount allowed by reason of this section as the first amount allowed by this subpart)” for “subsection (e)(2)”.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–369, § 474(k)(6), added subsec. (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e).
1983—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 97–424, § 511(d)(3)(A), substituted “50 cents” for “40 cents”.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 97–424, § 511(d)(3), substituted “50 cents” for “40 cents” and “37.5 cents” for “30 cents”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–424, § 511(b)(2), substituted “subsection (b)(2) or (k) of section 4041 or section 4081(c)” for “section 4041(k) or 4081(c)” after “reason of the application of”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(A), (B). Pub. L. 97–424, § 511(d)(3), substituted “50 cents” for “40 cents” and “37.5 cents” for “30 cents”.
1982—Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 97–354 substituted “Pass-thru in the case of estates and trusts” for “Pass-through in the case of subchapter S corporations, etc.” in par. heading, and substituted provisions relating to the applicability of rules similar to rules of subsec. (d) of section 52 for provisions relating to the applicability of rules similar to rules of subsecs. (d) and (e) of section 52.
1981—Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 97–34 substituted “15” for “7” in two places, and “14” for “6” in one place.
Pub. L. 117–169, title I, § 13202(b),
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 140(b),
Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 122(b),
Pub. L. 115–123, div. D, title I, § 40406(b),
Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 184(b),
Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 152(b),
Pub. L. 112–240, title IV, § 404(a)(3),
Pub. L. 112–240, title IV, § 404(b)(4),
Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, § 708(a)(3),
Pub. L. 111–240, title II, § 2121(b),
Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1408(b),
Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title II, § 203(d),
Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective
Pub. L. 110–234, title XV, § 15321(g),
[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.]
Pub. L. 110–234, title XV, § 15331(c),
[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.]
Pub. L. 110–234, title XV, § 15332(c),
[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.]
Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1347(c),
Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 301(d),
Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 313(b),
Pub. L. 105–178, title IX, § 9003(b)(3),
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–188 effective as if included in the provision of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, Pub. L. 103–66, §§ 13001–13444, to which such amendment relates, see section 1703(o) of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as a note under section 39 of this title.
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11502(h),
Pub. L. 100–203, title X, § 10502(e),
Amendment by section 474(k) of Pub. L. 98–369 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IX, § 912(g),
Amendment by section 913(b) of Pub. L. 98–369 effective
Amendments by section 511(b)(2), (d)(3) of Pub. L. 97–424 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–354 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–34 applicable to unused credit years ending after
Pub. L. 96–223, title II, § 232(h)(1), (4),