26 U.S.C. § 4051

Imposition of tax on heavy trucks and trailers sold at retail

Read at: OLRCuscode.house.gov CornellLII GovInfogovinfo.gov JustiaTitle 26 CasesGoogle Scholar

(a) Imposition of tax(1) In generalThere is hereby imposed on the first retail sale of the following articles (including in each case parts or accessories sold on or in connection therewith or with the sale thereof) a tax of 12 percent of the amount for which the article is so sold:(A) Automobile truck chassis.(B) Automobile truck bodies.(C) Truck trailer and semitrailer chassis.(D) Truck trailer and semitrailer bodies.(E) Tractors of the kind chiefly used for highway transportation in combination with a trailer or semitrailer.(2) Exclusion for trucks weighing 33,000 pounds or less

The tax imposed by paragraph (1) shall not apply to automobile truck chassis and automobile truck bodies, suitable for use with a vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight of 33,000 pounds or less (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary).

(3) Exclusion for trailers weighing 26,000 pounds or less

The tax imposed by paragraph (1) shall not apply to truck trailer and semitrailer chassis and bodies, suitable for use with a trailer or semitrailer which has a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary).

(4) Exclusion for tractors weighing 19,500 pounds or lessThe tax imposed by paragraph (1) shall not apply to tractors of the kind chiefly used for highway transportation in combination with a trailer or semitrailer if—(A) such tractor has a gross vehicle weight of 19,500 pounds or less (as determined by the Secretary), and(B) such tractor, in combination with a trailer or semitrailer, has a gross combined weight of 33,000 pounds or less (as determined by the Secretary).(5) Sale of trucks, etc., treated as sale of chassis and body

For purposes of this subsection, a sale of an automobile truck or truck trailer or semitrailer shall be considered to be a sale of a chassis and of a body described in paragraph (1).

(b) Separate purchase of truck or trailer and parts and accessories thereforUnder regulations prescribed by the Secretary—(1) In generalIf—(A) the owner, lessee, or operator of any vehicle which contains an article taxable under subsection (a) installs (or causes to be installed) any part or accessory on such vehicle, and(B) such installation is not later than the date 6 months after the date such vehicle (as it contains such article) was first placed in service,then there is hereby imposed on such installation a tax equal to 12 percent of the price of such part or accessory and its installation.(2) ExceptionsParagraph (1) shall not apply if—(A) the part or accessory installed is a replacement part or accessory, or(B) the aggregate price of the parts and accessories (and their installation) described in paragraph (1) with respect to any vehicle does not exceed $1,000 (or such other amount or amounts as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe).(3) Installers secondarily liable for tax

The owners of the trade or business installing the parts or accessories shall be secondarily liable for the tax imposed by paragraph (1).

On and after October 1, 2028, the taxes imposed by this section shall not apply.

(d) Credit against tax for tire taxIf—(1) tires are sold on or in connection with the sale of any article, and(2) tax is imposed by this subchapter on the sale of such tires,there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subchapter an amount equal to the tax (if any) imposed by section 4071 on such tires.(Added Pub. L. 97–424, title V, § 512(b)(1), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2174; amended Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 734(g), title IX, § 921, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 980, 1009; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, §§ 1877(c), 1899A(47), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2902, 2961; Pub. L. 100–17, title V, § 502(a)(2), Apr. 2, 1987, 101 Stat. 256; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11211(c)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–426; Pub. L. 102–240, title VIII, § 8002(a)(1), Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2203; Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, §§ 1401(a), 1402(a), 1432(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1045, 1046, 1050; Pub. L. 105–178, title IX, § 9002(a)(1)(D), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 499; Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, §§ 11101(a)(1)(D), 11112(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1943, 1946; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, § 142(a)(2)(B), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 356; Pub. L. 112–102, title IV, § 402(a)(2)(B), Mar. 30, 2012, 126 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 112–140, title IV, § 402(a)(2)(B), June 29, 2012, 126 Stat. 402; Pub. L. 112–141, div. D, title I, § 40102(a)(2)(B), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 844; Pub. L. 114–94, div. C, title XXXI, § 31102(a)(2)(B), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1727; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(219), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1194; Pub. L. 117–58, div. H, title I, § 80102(a)(2)(B), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1327.)Editorial NotesPrior Provisions

A prior section 4051, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 479, defined the price for which articles were sold for purposes of determining retailers excise taxes, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1904(a)(1)(D), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1811.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–58 substituted “October 1, 2028” for “October 1, 2022”.

2018—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 115–141 inserted closing parenthesis before period at end.

2015—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–94 substituted “October 1, 2022” for “October 1, 2016”.

2012—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–141 substituted “October 1, 2016” for “July 1, 2012”.

Pub. L. 112–140, §§ 1(c), 402(a)(2)(B), 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. (c). Pub. L. 112–30 substituted “April 1, 2012” for “October 1, 2011”.

2005—Subsec. (a)(4), (5). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11112(a), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, § 11101(a)(1)(D), substituted “2011” for “2005”.

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

1997—Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1401(a), substituted “$1,000” for “$200”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1432(a), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which provided for a temporary reduction in tax on certain piggyback trailers.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1432(a), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d).

Pub. L. 105–34, § 1401(a), amended heading and text of subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of any article taxable under subsection (a) on which tax was imposed under section 4061(a), subsection (a) shall be applied by substituting ‘2 percent’ for ‘12 percent’.”

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

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

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

1986—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1899A(47), substituted “July 18, 1984” for “the date of the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1984”.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1877(c), inserted at end “No tax shall be imposed by reason of this paragraph on any use or resale which occurs more than 6 years after the date of the first retail sale.”

1984—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 98–369, § 734(g), substituted “The owners of the trade or business installing the parts or accessories shall be secondarily liable for the tax imposed by paragraph (1)” for “In addition to the owner, lessee, or operator of the vehicle, the owner of the trade or business installing the part or accessory shall be liable for the tax imposed by paragraph (1)”.

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 98–369, § 921, added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective 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 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11112(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1946, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to sales after September 30, 2005.”

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1401(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1046, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and section 4003 of this title] shall apply to installations on vehicles sold after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1402(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1046, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 4052 of this title] shall take effect on January 1, 1998.”

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 1877(c) of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 736, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 985, provided that: “Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 731–736) of title VII of div. A of Pub. L. 98–369, amending this section and sections 48, 1366, 4052, 4053, 4071 to 4073, 4081, 4082, 4216, 4218, 4221 to 4223, 4227, 4481, 6401, 6412, 6416, 6427, 6511, and 9502 of this title, repealing sections 4061 to 4063 of this title, and amending provisions set out as notes under sections 4061 and 4081 of this title], any amendment made by this subtitle shall take effect as if included in the provisions of the Highway Revenue Act of 1982 [Pub. L. 97–424] to which such amendment relates.”

Effective Date

Pub. L. 97–424, title V, § 512(b)(3), Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2177, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [enacting this subchapter and amending section 6416 of this title] shall take effect on April 1, 1983.”

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 38 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1965–2025 · leading case: Centra, Inc. & Cent. Transp., Inc. v. United States, 953 F.2d 1051 (6th Cir. 1992).

Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment

Centra, Inc. & Cent. Transp., Inc. v. United States, 953 F.2d 1051 (6th Cir. 1992). · cites it 9× “The principal issue in this case is whether the excise taxes imposed on certain heavy trucks under 26 U.S.C. § 4051 was properly imposed on American made trucks imported into the United States after sale and use in a foreign country.”

Horton Homes, Inc. v. United States, 357 F.3d 1209 (11th Cir. 2004). · cites it 7× “”) § 4051(a)(1)(E), 1 26 U.S.C. § 4051 (a)(1)(E), clearly expresses the intent of Congress or is instead ambiguous, thereby allowing the Treasury Department (“Treasury”) to promulgate regulations to eliminate any ambiguity.”

Schneider Nat'l Leasing Inc v. United States, 11 F.4th 548 (7th Cir. 2021). · cites it 4× “The current iteration of this excise tax, enacted as part of the High- way Revenue Act of 1982, resides in 26 U.S.C. § 4051 . See Pub. L. No. 97–424, § 512, 96 Stat.”

Volvo Trucks of North Am., Inc., Formerly Known as Volvo Gm Heavy Truck Corp. v. United States, 367 F.3d 204 (4th Cir. 2004). · cites it 2× “commenced this action against the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to obtain an $856,226 refund of federal excise taxes paid under 26 U.S.C. § 4051 (a) for heavy trucks that Volvo sold to its dealers during the 1989-91 period.”

Worldwide Equip., Inc. v. United States, 605 F.3d 319 (6th Cir. 2010). · cites it 4× “B The Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 4051 (a), [1] imposes a 12% tax on the first retail sale of any heavy-truck chassis or body weighing over 33,000 pounds if the chassis or body is sold for use as a component part of a "highway vehicle.”

United States v. Howle, 166 F.3d 1166 (11th Cir. 1999). “See 26 U.S.C. § 4051 (a)(1) (1994). This tax is collected by retailers, who transfer the revenues collected to the Internal Revenue Service on a semimonthly basis.”

Thompson Truck & Trailer, Inc. v. United States, 901 F.3d 951 (8th Cir. 2018). · cites it 2× “Thompson sells trucks equipped with diesel particulate filters (filters). The filters collect particulate matter from a truck's exhaust and turn it into a less harmful substance.”

Freightliner of Grand Rapids, Inc. v. United States, 351 F. Supp. 2d 718 (W.D. Mich. 2004). · cites it 3× “In 1996 the government audited Freightliner’s excise tax returns and assessed an excise tax based, in part, on its determination that the sales of the 19 incomplete chassis cabs were subject to the 12% retail excise tax found in Internal Revenue Code § 4051, 26 U.S.C. § 4051 . 1…”

Fitzgerald Truck Parts & Sales LLC v. United States, 132 F.4th 937 (6th Cir. 2025). · cites it 3× “See 26 U.S.C. §§ 4051 (a)(1), 4052(a)(1). Fitzgerald believes its sales are exempt from those taxes due to its reincorporation of engines and transmissions.”

United States v. Ronald P. Markwood, 48 F.3d 969 (6th Cir. 1995). “26 U.S.C. § 4051 (a)(1). In any event, whether the federal excise tax clause (paragraph B.”

Ruan Fin. Corp., Ruan Transp. Corp. v. United States, 976 F.2d 452 (8th Cir. 1992). · cites it 3× “The question before us is whether Ruan Financial Corporation and Ruan Transport Corporation engaged in rebuilding and thus “manufacture” of highway tractors and *453 was thereby subject to manufacturing excise taxes under 26 U.S.C. § 4051 (1988) and 26 U.S.C. § 4061 (a)(1)…”

Hostar Marine Transp. Sys., Inc. v. United States, 592 F.3d 202 (1st Cir. 2010). “11 plus interest and a declaration that the twelve percent excise tax assessed against it pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 4051 (a) is exempted by I.R.S.”

Show all 38 citing cases →

— 26 U.S.C. § 4051(a) — 1 case

Oshkosh Truck Corp. v. United States, 123 F.3d 1477 (Fed. Cir. 1997).

Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.