Rate of tax
General
There is hereby imposed on all distilled spirits produced in or imported into the United States a tax at the rate of $13.50 on each proof gallon and a proportionate tax at the like rate on all fractional parts of a proof gallon.
Products containing distilled spirits
All products of distillation, by whatever name known, which contain distilled spirits, on which the tax imposed by law has not been paid, and any alcoholic ingredient added to such products, shall be considered and taxed as distilled spirits.
Wines containing more than 24 percent alcohol by volume
Wines containing more than 24 percent of alcohol by volume shall be taxed as distilled spirits.
Distilled spirits withdrawn free of tax
Any person who removes, sells, transports, or uses distilled spirits, withdrawn free of tax under section 5214(a) or section 7510, in violation of laws or regulations now or hereafter in force pertaining thereto, and all such distilled spirits shall be subject to all provisions of law relating to distilled spirits subject to tax, including those requiring payment of the tax thereon; and the person so removing, selling, transporting, or using the distilled spirits shall be required to pay such tax.
Denatured distilled spirits or articles
Any person who produces, withdraws, sells, transports, or uses denatured distilled spirits or articles in violation of laws or regulations now or hereafter in force pertaining thereto, and all such denatured distilled spirits or articles shall be subject to all provisions of law pertaining to distilled spirits that are not denatured, including those requiring the payment of tax thereon; and the person so producing, withdrawing, selling, transporting, or using the denatured distilled spirits or articles shall be required to pay such tax.
Fruit-flavor concentrates
If any volatile fruit-flavor concentrate (or any fruit mash or juice from which such concentrate is produced) containing one-half of 1 percent or more of alcohol by volume, which is manufactured free from tax under section 5511, is sold, transported, or used by any person in violation of the provisions of this chapter or regulations promulgated thereunder, such person and such concentrate, mash, or juice shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter pertaining to distilled spirits and wines, including those requiring the payment of tax thereon; and the person so selling, transporting, or using such concentrate, mash, or juice shall be required to pay such tax.
Imported liqueurs and cordials
Imported liqueurs and cordials, or similar compounds, containing distilled spirits, shall be taxed as distilled spirits.
Imported distilled spirits withdrawn for beverage purposes
There is hereby imposed on all imported distilled spirits withdrawn from customs custody under section 5232 without payment of the internal revenue tax, and thereafter withdrawn from bonded premises for beverage purposes, an additional tax equal to the duty which would have been paid had such spirits been imported for beverage purposes, less the duty previously paid thereon.
Alcoholic compounds from Puerto Rico
Except as provided in section 5314, upon bay rum, or any article containing distilled spirits, brought from Puerto Rico into the United States for consumption or sale there is hereby imposed a tax on the spirits contained therein at the rate imposed on distilled spirits produced in the United States.
Time of attachment on distilled spirits
The tax shall attach to distilled spirits as soon as this substance is in existence as such, whether it be subsequently separated as pure or impure spirits, or be immediately, or at any subsequent time, transferred into any other substance, either in the process of original production or by any subsequent process.
Reduced rate
In general
Controlled groups
In general
In the case of a controlled group, the proof gallon quantities specified under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) shall be applied to such group and apportioned among the members of such group in such manner as the Secretary or their delegate shall by regulations prescribe.
Definition
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “controlled group” shall have the meaning given such term by subsection (a) of section 1563, except that “more than 50 percent” shall be substituted for “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in such subsection.
Rules for non-corporations
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, principles similar to the principles of subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be applied to a group under common control where one or more of the persons is not a corporation.
Single taxpayer
Pursuant to rules issued by the Secretary, two or more entities (whether or not under common control) that produce or process distilled spirits under a license, franchise, or other arrangement shall be treated as a single taxpayer for purposes of the application of this subsection.
Reduced tax rate for foreign manufacturers and importers
In general
In the case of any proof gallons of distilled spirits which have been produced outside of the United States and imported into the United States, the rate of tax applicable under paragraph (1) (referred to in this paragraph as the “reduced tax rate”) may be assigned by the distilled spirits operation (provided that such operation makes an election described in subparagraph (B)(ii)) to any electing importer of such proof gallons pursuant to the requirements established by the Secretary under subparagraph (B).
Assignment
Controlled group
In general
For purposes of this section, any importer making an election described in subparagraph (B)(ii) shall be deemed to be a member of the controlled group of the distilled spirits operation, as described under paragraph (2).
Apportionment
For purposes of this paragraph, in the case of a controlled group, rules similar to section 5051(a)(5)(B) shall apply.
Refunds in lieu of reduced rates for foreign production removed after
In general
Amount of refund
Application of rules related to elections and assignments
Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall apply only if the importer is an electing importer under paragraph (3) and the proof gallons of distilled spirits have been assigned to the importer pursuant to such paragraph.
Rules for refunds within 90 days
For purposes of refunds allowed under this paragraph, section 6611(e) shall be applied by substituting “90 days” for “45 days” each place it appears.
Processed distilled spirits
A distilled spirit shall not be treated as processed for purposes of this subsection unless a process described in section 5002(a)(5)(A) (other than bottling) is performed with respect to such distilled spirit.
Cross reference
For provisions relating to the tax on shipments to the United States of taxable articles from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, see section 7652.
Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 20172 Stat. 1314Pub. L. 86–75, § 3(a)(2)73 Stat. 157Pub. L. 86–564, title II, § 202(a)(4)74 Stat. 290Pub. L. 87–72, § 3(a)(4)75 Stat. 193Pub. L. 87–508, § 3(a)(3)76 Stat. 114Pub. L. 88–52, § 3(a)(4)77 Stat. 72Pub. L. 88–348, § 2(a)(4)78 Stat. 237Pub. L. 89–44, title V, § 501(a)79 Stat. 150Pub. L. 96–39, title VIII93 Stat. 273Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 27(a)(1)98 Stat. 507Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11201(a)(1)104 Stat. 1388–415Pub. L. 103–465, title I, § 136(a)108 Stat. 4841Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13807(a)131 Stat. 2176Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 144(g)(1)133 Stat. 3235Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I134 Stat. 3044(Added , , ; amended , (3), , ; , (5), , ; , (5), , ; , (4), , ; , (5), , ; , (5), , ; , , ; , §§ 802, 805(d), , , 278; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (c), , ; , (2), , ; , §§ 106(g)(1), 107(a)(1), 109(a), 110(c), , , 3045, 3049, 3050.)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 73668A Stat. 595Mar. 30, 1955, ch. 18, § 3(a)(4)69 Stat. 14Mar. 29, 1956, ch. 115, § 3(a)(4)70 Stat. 66Pub. L. 85–12, § 3(a)(2)71 Stat. 9Pub. L. 85–475, § 3(a)(2)72 Stat. 259Pub. L. 85–859section 5061(d) of this titleA prior section 5001, acts , ; , (5), ; , (5), ; , , (3), ; , , (3), , consisted of provisions similar to those comprising this section, prior to the general revision of this chapter by . See .
Amendments
Pub. L. 116–260, § 106(g)(1)(A)2020—Subsec. (c). , substituted “Reduced Rate” for “Temporary reduced rate” in heading.
Pub. L. 116–260, § 110(c)Subsec. (c)(2)(D). , substituted “under a license” for “marketed under a similar brand, license” and inserted “or process” after “that produce”.
Pub. L. 116–260, § 106(g)(1)(B)Subsec. (c)(3)(B). , substituted “The Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,” for “The Secretary” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 116–260, § 107(a)(1)Subsec. (c)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 116–260, § 106(g)(1)(C), struck out par. (4). Text read as follows: “This subsection shall not apply to distilled spirits removed after .”
Pub. L. 116–260, § 109(a)Subsec. (c)(5). , added par. (5).
Pub. L. 116–94, § 144(g)(2)2019—Subsec. (c). , substituted “Temporary reduced rate” for “Reduced rate for 2018 and 2019” in heading.
Pub. L. 116–94, § 144(g)(1)Subsec. (c)(4). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 115–97, § 13807(a)2017—Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Pub. L. 115–97, § 13807(c)(1)Subsec. (c)(1). , inserted “but only if the importer is an electing importer under paragraph (3) and the proof gallons of distilled spirits have been assigned to the importer pursuant to such paragraph” after “into the United States during the calendar year”
Pub. L. 115–97, § 13807(c)(2)Subsec. (c)(3), (4). , added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).
Pub. L. 115–97, § 13807(a)Subsec. (d). , redesignated subsec. (c) as (d).
Pub. L. 103–4651994—Subsec. (a)(3) to (10). redesignated pars. (4) to (10) as (3) to (9), respectively, and struck out former par. (3), “Imported perfumes containing distilled spirits”, which read as follows: “There is hereby imposed on all perfumes imported into the United States containing distilled spirits a tax of $13.50 per wine gallon, and a proportionate tax at a like rate on all fractional parts of such wine gallon.”
Pub. L. 101–5081990—Subsec. (a)(1), (3). substituted “$13.50” for “$12.50”.
Pub. L. 98–3691984—Subsec. (a)(1), (3). substituted “$12.50” for “$10.50”.
Pub. L. 96–39, § 8021979—Subsec. (a)(1). , struck out “in bond or” after “distilled spirits” and “or wine gallon when below proof” after “each proof gallon” and substituted “a tax” for “an internal revenue tax” and “proof gallon” for “such proof or wine gallon”.
Pub. L. 96–39, § 805(d)Subsec. (a)(2). , inserted “, and any alcoholic ingredient added to such products” after “has not been paid”.
Pub. L. 89–441965—Subsec. (a)(1). struck out last sentence which provided that the rate of tax imposed by par. (1) would be $9 on and after .
Pub. L. 89–44Subsec. (a)(3). struck out last sentence which provided that the rate of tax imposed by par. (3) would be $9 on and after .
Pub. L. 88–3481964—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 88–348Subsec. (a)(3). substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 88–52, § 3(a)(4)1963—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 88–52, § 3(a)(5)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 87–508, § 3(a)(3)1962—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 87–508, § 3(a)(4)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 87–72, § 3(a)(4)1961—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 87–72, § 3(a)(5)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 86–564, § 202(a)(4)1960—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 86–564, § 202(a)(5)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 86–75, § 3(a)(2)1959—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “” for “”.
Pub. L. 86–75, § 3(a)(3)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “” for “”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 106(g)(2)134 Stat. 3045
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 107(a)(3)134 Stat. 3046
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 109(b)134 Stat. 3049
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 110(d)134 Stat. 3050
Effective Date of 2019 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 144(g)(3)133 Stat. 3235
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13807(d)131 Stat. 2177
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Pub. L. 103–465, title I, § 136(d)108 Stat. 4842
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11201(d)104 Stat. 1388–417
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 27(d)98 Stat. 509
In general .—
Electronic transfer provisions .—
Effective Date of 1979 Amendment
Pub. L. 96–39, title VIII, § 81093 Stat. 292
Effective Date of 1965 Amendment
Pub. L. 89–44section 701(d) of Pub. L. 89–44section 5701 of this titleAmendment by applicable on and after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 210(a)(1)72 Stat. 1435
Short Title
Pub. L. 85–859, § 1(a)72 Stat. 1275
Regulations
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 107(f)134 Stat. 3048
Savings Provision
Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 210(b)72 Stat. 1435Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095
References to Other Provisions of Law
Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 210(d)72 Stat. 1435
Repeal of Acts and
Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 20572 Stat. 1430March 3, 1877, ch. 11419 Stat. 393Oct. 18, 1888, ch. 119425 Stat. 560section 210(a)(1) of Pub. L. 85–859, , , repealed acts , and , , which related to production and warehousing of fruit brandy, and are covered by this chapter. For effective date of repeal, see , set out as an Effective Date note above.
Administration of Refunds
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 107(e)134 Stat. 3048
Floor Stocks Taxes on Distilled Spirits, Wine, and Beer
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11201(e)104 Stat. 1388–417
Imposition of tax.—
In general .—
Applicable rate .—
Tax-increased article .—
Exception for small domestic producers.—
Exception for certain small wholesale or retail dealers .—
Credit against tax .—
Liability for tax and method of payment.—
Liability for tax .—
Method of payment .—
Time for payment .—
Controlled groups.—
Corporations .—
Nonincorporated dealers under common control .—
Other laws applicable.—
In general .—
Comparable excise tax .—
Definitions .—
In general .—
Person .—
Secretary .—
Treatment of imported perfumes containing distilled spirits .—
Floor Stocks Tax Treatment of Articles in Foreign Trade Zones
Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11218104 Stat. 1388–438
Floor Stocks Taxes on Distilled Spirits
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 27(b)98 Stat. 507Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095