US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

26 U.S.C. § 4161

Imposition of tax

(a)

Sport fishing equipment

(1)

Imposition of tax

(A)

In general

There is hereby imposed on the sale of any article of sport fishing equipment by the manufacturer, producer, or importer a tax equal to 10 percent of the price for which so sold.

(B)

Limitation on tax imposed on fishing rods and poles

The tax imposed by subparagraph (A) on any fishing rod or pole shall not exceed $10.

(2)

3 percent rate of tax for electric outboard motors

In the case of an electric outboard motor, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting “3 percent” for “10 percent”.

(3)

3 percent rate of tax for tackle boxes

In the case of fishing tackle boxes, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting “3 percent” for “10 percent”.

(4)

Parts or accessories sold in connection with taxable sale

In the case of any sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any article of sport fishing equipment, such article shall be treated as including any parts or accessories of such article sold on or in connection therewith or with the sale thereof.

(b)

Bows and arrows, etc.

(1)

Bows

(A)

In general

There is hereby imposed on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any bow which has a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or more, a tax equal to 11 percent of the price for which so sold.

(B)

Archery equipment

There is hereby imposed on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer—
(i)
of any part or accessory suitable for inclusion in or attachment to a bow described in subparagraph (A), and
(ii)
of any quiver, broadhead, or point suitable for use with an arrow described in paragraph (2),
a tax equal to 11 percent of the price for which so sold.
(2)

Arrows

(A)

In general

There is hereby imposed on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft (whether sold separately or incorporated as part of a finished or unfinished product) of a type used in the manufacture of any arrow which after its assembly—
(i)
measures 18 inches overall or more in length, or
(ii)
measures less than 18 inches overall in length but is suitable for use with a bow described in paragraph (1)(A),
a tax equal to 39 cents per shaft.
(B)

Exemption for certain wooden arrow shafts

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations or artificial means of enhancing the spine of such shaft (whether sold separately or incorporated as part of a finished or unfinished product) of a type used in the manufacture of any arrow which after its assembly—
(i)
516 measures ⁄ of an inch or less in diameter, and
(ii)
is not suitable for use with a bow described in paragraph (1)(A).
(C)

Adjustment for inflation

(i)

In general

In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2005, the 39-cent amount specified in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to the product of—
(I)
such amount, multiplied by
(II)
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined by substituting “2004” for “2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
(ii)

Rounding

If any increase determined under clause (i) is not a multiple of 1 cent, such increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 1 cent.

(3)

Coordination with subsection (a)

No tax shall be imposed under this subsection with respect to any article taxable under subsection (a).

Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 489Pub. L. 89–44, title II, § 205(a)79 Stat. 140Pub. L. 92–558, title II, § 201(a)86 Stat. 1173Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X98 Stat. 1017Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1899A(48)100 Stat. 2961Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1433(a)111 Stat. 1051Pub. L. 108–357, title III118 Stat. 1477Pub. L. 108–493, § 1(a)118 Stat. 3984Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11117(a)119 Stat. 1951Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 412(uu)119 Stat. 2640Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title V, § 503(a)122 Stat. 3877Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11002(d)(11)131 Stat. 2062(, ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 1015(a), 1017(a), (b), , , 1021; , , ; , , ; , §§ 332(a)–(c), 333(a), , , 1478; –(c), , ; , (b), , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years

section 1 of this titleFor inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under .

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(i)(II). substituted “for ‘2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘1992’ in subparagraph (B)”.

Pub. L. 110–3432008—Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C). added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).

Pub. L. 109–59, § 11117(a)2005—Subsec. (a)(1). , reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (1) generally, designating existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserting subpar. heading, and adding subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 109–135Subsec. (a)(2). amended heading and text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

In general“(A) .—In the case of an electric outboard motor or a sonar device suitable for finding fish, paragraph (1)(A) shall be applied by substituting ‘3 percent’ for ‘10 percent’.

limitation on tax imposed on sonar devices suitable for finding fish“(B) $30.—The tax imposed by paragraph (1)(A) on any sonar device suitable for finding fish shall not exceed $30.”

Pub. L. 109–59, § 11117(b), substituted “paragraph (1)(A)” for “paragraph (1)” in two places.

Pub. L. 108–357, § 333(a)2004—Subsec. (a)(3), (4). , added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).

Pub. L. 108–357, § 332(a)Subsec. (b)(1). , reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (1) generally, substituting provisions imposing a tax on the sale of any bow which has a peak draw weight of 30 pounds or more, any part or accessory, and any quiver or broadhead suitable for use with an arrow described in par. (2), for provisions imposing a tax on the sale of any bow which has a draw weight of 10 pounds or more, any part of accessory, and any quiver suitable for use with arrows described in par. (2).

Pub. L. 108–493, § 1(c)Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii). , substituted “quiver, broadhead, or point” for “quiver or broadhead”.

Pub. L. 108–493, § 1(b)Subsec. (b)(2). , amended heading and text of par. (2) generally, substituting provisions relating to arrows for provisions relating to arrow components.

Pub. L. 108–357, § 332(c), substituted “Arrow components” for “Arrows” in heading and inserted “(other than broadheads)” after “point” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 108–493, § 1(a)Pub. L. 108–357, § 332(b)Subsec. (b)(3), (4). , repealed . See note below.

Pub. L. 108–357, § 332(b)Pub. L. 108–493, § 1(a), which directed the amendment of subsec. (b) by adding par. (3), relating to arrows, and redesignating former par. (3) as (4), was repealed by . See Construction of 2004 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 105–341997—Subsec. (b). amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) consisted of pars. (1) to (3) imposing taxes on bows and arrows and parts and accessories and providing for coordination of taxes under subsecs. (a) and (b).

Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii). substituted a comma for the period at end.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 1015(a)1984—Subsec. (a). , in amending subsec. (a) generally, designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “any article of sport fishing equipment by the manufacturer, producer, or importer” for “fishing rods, creels, reels, and artificial lures, baits, and flies (including parts or accessories of such articles sold on or in connection therewith, or with the sale thereof) by the manufacturer, producer, or importer”, and added pars. (2) and (3).

Pub. L. 98–369, § 1017(a)Subsec. (b)(1)(B). , designated existing provisions as cl. (i) and added cl. (ii).

Pub. L. 98–369, § 1017(b)(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(A). , struck out “(other than a fishing reel)” after “part or accessory”.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 1017(b)(1)Subsec. (b)(3). , added par. (3).

Pub. L. 92–558, § 201(a)(1)1972—Subsec. (a). , designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted catchline.

Pub. L. 92–558, § 201(a)(2)Subsec. (b). , added subsec. (b).

Pub. L. 89–441965— removed 10 percent tax on equipment for billiards, pool, bowling, trap shooting, cricket, croquet, badminton, curling, deck tennis, golf, lacrosse, polo, skiing, squash, table tennis, and tennis, and retained tax only for fishing equipment.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2017 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–97section 11002(e) of Pub. L. 115–97section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title V, § 503(b)122 Stat. 3877

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to shafts first sold after the date of enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–59, title XI, § 11117(c)119 Stat. 1951

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2004 Amendments

Pub. L. 108–493, § 1(d)118 Stat. 3985

“The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) [amending this section] shall apply to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after .”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 332(d)118 Stat. 1478

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after the date which is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 108–357, title III, § 333(b)118 Stat. 1478

“The amendments made this section [amending this section] shall apply to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1433(b)111 Stat. 1052

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

section 1015(a) of Pub. L. 98–369section 1015(e) of Pub. L. 98–369section 4162 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, § 1017(c)98 Stat. 1021

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer after .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Pub. L. 92–558, title II, § 201(b)86 Stat. 1173Pub. L. 93–31388 Stat. 238

“The amendments made by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to articles sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer thereof on or after .”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–44, title VII, § 701(a)79 Stat. 155

“(1)

In general .—

section 120 of Title 23Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by titles I and II of this Act [enacting sections 4094 and 6424 of this title, amending this section and sections 4055, 4057, 4061, 4091, 4216, 4218, 4221, 4222, 4227, 6011, 6206, 6412, 6416, 6675, 7210, 7603, 7604, and 7605 of this title, repealing sections 4001 to 4003, 4011 to 4013, 4021, 4022, 4031, 4051 to 4053, 4111, 4121, 4131, 4141 to 4143, 4151, 4171 to 4173, 4191, 4192, 4201, 4211, and 4224 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under , Highways] shall apply with respect to articles sold on or after the day after the date of the enactment of this Act [].
“(2)

Special rules .—

section 4061 of this titlesection 4091 of this titlesection 6424 of this titlesection 6412 of this titlesection 120 of Title 23The amendments made by sections 201(b)(2) [amending ] (relating to automobile parts and accessories) and 202(a) [amending ] (relating to lubricating oil) shall apply with respect to articles sold on or after . The amendments made by section 202(b) [enacting ] and (c) [enacting section 4094 and amending sections 6206, 6675, 7210, 7603, 7604, and 7605 of this title] (relating to payments with respect to lubricating oil) shall take effect . The amendments made by section 203 [repealing sections 4111, 4121, and 4131 of this title], insofar as they relate to the tax imposed by section 4131 (relating to electric light bulbs) of the Code, and the amendments made by section 208 [amending sections 4216, 4218, 4221, 4222, and 4227], insofar as they relate to the tax imposed by section 4061(b) (relating to automotive parts and accessories), section 4091 (relating to lubricating oil), or section 4131 (relating to electric light bulbs) of the Code, shall apply with respect to articles sold on or after . The amendments made by section 207 [amending sections 4216 and 6416 of this title] (relating to partial payments; sales of installment accounts) and 209(a) [amending ] (relating to floor stocks refunds on passenger automobiles, etc.) shall take effect on the day after the date of the enactment of this Act []. The amendments made by section 210 [amending provisions set out as a note under , Highways] (relating to Highway Trust Fund) shall take effect .
“(3)

Installment sales, etc .—

For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), an article shall not be considered sold before the day after the date of the enactment of this Act [] or before , as the case may be, unless possession or right to possession passes to the purchaser before such day or such date. In the case of—
“(A)
a lease,
“(B)
a contract for the sale of an article where it is provided that the price shall be paid by installments and title to the article sold does not pass until a future date notwithstanding partial payment by installments,
“(C)
a conditional sale, or
“(D)
a chattel mortgage arrangement wherein it is provided that the sale price shall be paid in installments,
entered into before such day or such date, payments made on or after such day or such date with respect to the article leased or sold shall, for purposes of this subsection, be considered as payments made with respect to an article sold on or after such day or such date, if the lessor or vendor establishes that the amount of payments payable on or after such day or such date with respect to such article has been reduced by an amount equal to the tax reduction applicable with respect to the lease or sale of such article.
“(4)

Electric light bulbs used in manufacture of articles upon which tax is repealed .—

For purposes of applying section 4218(a) of the Code with respect to the use of an electric light bulb or tube by the manufacturer, producer, or importer thereof, and for purposes of applying section 4221(d)(6)(A) of the Code with respect to the sale of an electric light bulb or tube for use in further manufacture, an article which was taxable under chapter 32 of the Code on the date of the enactment of this Act [] shall, during the period beginning with the day after the date of the enactment of this Act through , be treated as an article taxable under such chapter.”
, , , provided that:

Construction of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–493, § 1(a)118 Stat. 3984

Pub. L. 108–357“Subsection (b) of section 332 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 [], and the amendments made by such subsection [amending this section], are hereby repealed; and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such subsection and amendments had never been enacted.”
, , , provided that: