Deposits of Excise Taxes

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Part 40 [REG-106892-00] RIN 1545-
AX11

TITLE: Deposits of Excise Taxes

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations relating to the
requirements for excise tax returns, payments, and deposits. These
regulations affect persons required to report liability for excise
taxes on Form 720, "Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return."

DATES: Written and electronic comments and requests for a public
hearing must be received by May 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:M&SP:RU (REG-106892-00), room
5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday
through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to: CC:M&SP:RU
(REG-106892-00), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers
may send submissions electronically via the Internet by selecting
the "Tax Regs" option on the IRS Home Page, or directly to the IRS
Internet site at http://www.irs.gov/tax_regs/regslist.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning submissions, Guy
Traynor, (202) 622-7180; concerning the regulations, Susan Athy
(202) 622-3130 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

This document contains proposed amendments to the Excise Tax
Procedural Regulations (26 CFR part 40) relating to the requirements
for excise tax returns, payments, and deposits. On January 7, 2000,
an advance notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the
Federal Register (65 FR 1076) that invited comments from the public
on issues relating to the requirements for excise tax returns and
deposits. Several written comments were received that were
considered in drafting these proposed regulations.

The advance notice requested comments on: whether there should be a
single deposit date for all excise taxes (other than those deposited
under the alternative method), such as 14 days after the end of the
semimonthly period; whether a taxpayer should be required to deposit
only 95 percent of tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period
(in lieu of the current requirement of 100 percent with safe harbor
rules); and whether the amount required to be deposited for a
quarter should be computed without reduction for the amounts of any
claims made on Schedule C of the Form 720 for that quarter.

In general, commentators from the air transportation industry
requested that the one-month filing extension provided to those
reporting communications, air. transportation, and ozone-depleting
chemical taxes be retained because airlines need additional time to
determine the proper amount of tax liability. The IRS and Treasury
believe the need for additional time is adequately addressed by the
retention of the alternative method for making deposits of
communications and air transportation taxes. Filers choosing to use
the alternative method for making deposits of these taxes also are
allowed additional time to determine the amount of tax liability.
For example, under the alternative method, the activity for
December, January, and February is reported as tax liability for
January, February, and March on the Form 720 due April 30th. Thus,
even without the one-month filing extension, filers reporting under
the alternative method have two months after the last activity to
determine the amount of tax liability to be reported. In addition,
retention of an extended filing date for certain industries would be
inconsistent with the simplification and overall fairness sought to
be achieved by these changes. Accordingly, the proposed amendments
eliminate the one-month filing extension that is now allowed for
returns related to taxes imposed by chapter 33 (relating to
communications and air transportation) and section 4681 (relating to
ozone- depleting chemicals) and require that all Forms 720 be filed
by the last day of the month following the quarter for which the
return is made. Commentators generally supported a single deposit
date for all taxes other than those deposited under the alternative
method (regular method taxes). The proposed amendments provide that
deposits for regular method taxes for a semimonthly period are due
by the 14 day of the following semimonthly period. The proposed th
amendments change the requirement to deposit by class of tax. The 9-
day rule, 14-day. rule, and 30-day rule taxes are eliminated.
Instead there are two classes: regular method and alternative
method.

Commentators generally supported a reduction in the amount of the
required deposit for a semimonthly period from 100 percent of net
tax liability to 95 percent of net tax liability. However, they
requested that the look-back quarter safe harbor rule be retained.
One commentator noted that the look-back quarter safe harbor rule is
easy for taxpayers to use and provides a way for taxpayers to meet
the deposit requirements when taxpayers have not determined their
liability for the current semimonthly period. Finally, some
commentators requested that the provisions allowing deposits to be
reduced by Schedule C claims be retained to avoid economic hardship.
The proposed amendments adopt the suggestions of these commentators.

The proposed amendments require the deposit of at least 95 percent
of net tax liability incurred during the semimonthly period. This
rule replaces both the requirement to deposit 100 percent of net tax
liability and the safe harbor rule for taxpayers depositing 95
percent of their current liability. The new requirement is, in fact,
more generous than the current safe harbor, which applies only if
the 95-percent deposit requirement is met for each semimonthly
period in the quarter. Under the proposed amendments, a taxpayer
that deposits 95 percent of net tax liability for a semimonthly
period will satisfy the deposit requirement for that period even if
less than 95 percent of net tax liability is deposited for one or
more of the other semimonthly periods in the quarter.

The proposed amendments retain the look-back quarter liability safe
harbor rule. for taxpayers depositing taxes that were in effect
during the look-back quarter. The proposed amendments to the deposit
requirements and the safe harbor rule apply to all excise tax
deposits, including deposits made under the alternative method.
Finally, the proposed amendments continue to allow deposits to be
reduced by Schedule C claims.

Proposed Effective Date

The regulations are proposed to be applicable with respect to
returns and deposits that relate to calendar quarters beginning on
or after the date of publication of the final regulations in the
Federal Register.

Special Analyses

It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is
not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order
12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It also
has been determined that section 553(b) of the Administrative
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these
regulations and, because these regulations do not impose on small
entities a collection of information requirement, the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Therefore, a
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required. Pursuant to section
7805(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, this notice of proposed
rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of
the Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small
business.

Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing

Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations,
consideration will be given to any electronic and written comments
that are submitted. timely to the IRS. The IRS and Treasury
Department specifically request comments on the clarity of the
proposed regulations and how they may be made easier to understand.
All comments will be available for public inspection and copying. A
public hearing may be scheduled if requested in writing by any
person that timely submits written comments. If a public hearing is
scheduled, notice of the date, time, and place for the hearing will
be published in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

The principal author of these regulations is Susan Athy, Office of
Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries).
However, other personnel from the IRS and Treasury Department
participated in their development.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 40

Excise taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

Accordingly, 26 CFR part 40 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 40--EXCISE TAX PROCEDURAL REGULATIONS

Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 40 is amended by
removing the entries for Sections 40.6071(a)-1 and 40.6071(a)-2, and
Sections 40.6302(c)-2, 40.6302(c)-3, and 40.6302(c)-4; and adding
entries in numerical order to read in part as follows:

Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * Section 40.6071(a)-1 also issued
under 26 U.S.C. 6071(a). * * * Section 40.6302(c)-2 also issued
under 26 U.S.C. 6302(a). Section 40.6302(c)-3 also issued under 26
U.S.C. 6302(a).. §40.0-1 [Amended ]

Par. 2. Section 40.0-1 is amended as follows: 1. Paragraphs (d) and
(e) are removed. 2. Paragraph (f) is redesignated as new paragraph
(d). §40.6011(a)-1 [Amended ]

Par. 3. Section 40.6011(a)-1 is amended by removing paragraph (c).
§40.6011(a)-2 [Amended ]

Par. 4. Section 40.6011(a)-2 is amended as follows:

1. In paragraph (b)(2), the language "§40.6302(c)-1(f)(2)" is
removed and "§40.6302(c)-1(e)(2)" is added in its place.

2. Paragraph (d) is removed.

Par. 5. Section 40.6071(a)-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a),
(b)(2), and (c) to read as follows:

§40.6071(a)-1 Time for filing returns.

(a) Quarterly returns. Each quarterly return required under
§40.6011(a)-1(a)(2) must be filed by the last day of the first
calendar month following the quarter for which it is made.

(b) * * *

(2) Semimonthly returns. Each semimonthly return required under
§40.6011(a)-1(b) must be filed by the last day of the
semimonthly period (as defined in §40.0-1(c)) following the
semimonthly period for which it is made.

(c) Effective date. This section is applicable with respect to
returns that relate to calendar quarters beginning on or after the
date of publication of the final regulations in the Federal Register
.

§40.6071(a)-2 [Removed ]

Par. 6. Section 40.6071(a)-2 is removed.

§40.6091-1 [Amended ]

Par. 7. Section 40.6091-1 is amended by removing paragraph (d).

Par. 8. Section 40.6101-1 is revised to read as follows:

§40.6101-1 Period covered by returns.

See §40.6011(a)-1(a)(2) for the rules relating to the period
covered by the return.

Par. 9. Sections 40.6109(a)-1 and 40.6151(a)-1 are revised to read
as follows: §40.6109(a)-1 Identifying numbers.

Every person required under §40.6011(a)-1 to make a return must
provide the identifying number required by the instructions
applicable to the form on which the return is made.

§40.6151(a)-1 Time and place for paying tax shown on return.
Except as provided by statute, the tax must be paid at the time
prescribed in §40.6071(a)-1 for filing the return, and at the
place prescribed in §40.6091-1 for filing the return.

Par. 10. Section 40.6302(c)-1 is revised to read as follows:
§40.6302(c)-1 Use of Government depositaries.

(a) In general--

(1) Semimonthly deposits required. Except as provided by. statute or
by paragraph (e) of this section, each person required under
§40.6011(a)-1(a)(2) to file a quarterly return must make a
deposit of tax for each semimonthly period (as defined in
§40.0-1(c)) in which tax liability is incurred.

(2) Treatment of taxes imposed by chapter 33. For purposes of this
part 40, tax imposed by chapter 33 (relating to communications and
air transportation) is treated as a tax liability incurred during
the semimonthly period--

(i) In which that tax is collected; or

(ii) In the case of the alternative method, in which that tax is
considered as collected.

(3) Definition of net tax liability. Net tax liability means the tax
liability for the specified period plus or minus any adjustments
allowable in accordance with the instructions applicable to the form
on which the return is made.

(4) Computation of net tax liability for a semimonthly period. The
net tax liability for a semimonthly period may be computed by--

(i) Determining the net tax liability incurred during the
semimonthly period; or

(ii) Dividing by two the net tax liability incurred during the
calendar month that includes that semimonthly period, provided that
this method of computation is used for all semimonthly periods in
the calendar quarter.

(b) Amount of deposit--

(1) In general. The deposit of tax for each semimonthly period must
be not less than 95 percent of the amount of net tax liability
incurred during the semimonthly period.

(2) Safe harbor rules--

(i) Applicability. The safe harbor rules of this paragraph (b)(2)
are applied separately to taxes deposited under the alternative
method provided in §40.6302(c)-3 (alternative method taxes) and
to the other taxes for which deposits are required under this
section (regular method taxes).

(ii) Regular method taxes. Any person that made a return of tax
reporting regular method taxes for the second preceding calendar
quarter (the look-back quarter) is considered to have complied with
the requirement of this part 40 for deposit of regular method taxes
for the current calendar quarter if--

(A) The deposit of regular method taxes for each semimonthly period
in the current calendar quarter is not less than 1/6 of the net tax
liability for regular method taxes reported for the look-back
quarter;

(B) Each deposit is made on time;

(C) The amount of any underpayment of regular method taxes is paid
by the due date of the return; and

(D) The person's liability does not include any regular method tax
that was not imposed at all times during the look-back quarter or a
tax on a chemical not subject to tax at all times during the look-
back quarter.

(iii) Alternative method taxes. Any person that made a return of tax
reporting alternative method taxes for the look-back quarter is
considered to have complied with the requirement of this part 40 for
deposit of alternative method taxes for the current calendar quarter
if--

(A) The deposit of alternative method taxes for each semimonthly
period in the current calendar quarter is not less than 1/6 of the
net tax liability for alternative method. taxes reported for the
look-back quarter;

(B) Each deposit is made on time;

(C) The amount of any underpayment of alternative method taxes is
paid by the due date of the return; and

(D) The person's liability does not include any alternative method
tax that was not imposed at all times during the look-back quarter
and the month preceding the look-back quarter.

(iv) Modification for tax rate increase. The safe harbor rules of
this paragraph (b)(2) do not apply to regular method taxes or
alternative method taxes for the first and second calendar quarters
beginning on or after the effective date of an increase in the rate
of any tax to which this part 40 applies unless the deposit of those
taxes for each semimonthly period in the calendar quarter is not
less than 1/6 of the tax liability the person would have had with
respect to those taxes for the look-back quarter if the increased
rate of tax had been in effect for the look-back quarter.

(v) Failure to comply with deposit requirements. If a person fails
to make deposits as required under this part 40, that failure may be
reported to the appropriate IRS office and the IRS may withdraw the
person's right to use the safe harbor rules of this paragraph (b)
(2).

(c) Time to deposit--

(1) In general. The deposit of tax for any semimonthly period must
be made by the 14 day of the following semimonthly period unless
such th day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the District
of Columbia in which case the immediately preceding day which is not
a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the. District of Columbia is
treated as the 14 day. Thus, generally, the deposit of tax for th
the first semimonthly period in a month is due by the 29 day of that
month and the th deposit of tax for the second semimonthly period in
a month is due by the 14th day of the following month.

(2) Exceptions. See §40.6302(c)-2 for the special rules for
September. See §40.6302(c)-3 for the special rules for deposits
under the alternative method.

(d) Remittance of deposits--(1) Deposits by federal tax deposit
coupon. A completed Form 8109, "Federal Tax Deposit Coupon," must
accompany each deposit. The deposit must be remitted, in accordance
with the instructions applicable to the form, to a financial
institution authorized as a depositary for federal taxes (as
provided in 31 CFR part 203).

(2) Deposits by electronic funds transfer. For the requirement to
deposit excise taxes by electronic funds transfer, see
§31.6302-1(h) of this chapter. A taxpayer not required to
deposit by electronic funds transfer pursuant to §31.6302-1(h)
of this chapter remains subject to the rules of this paragraph (d).

(e) Exceptions--

(1) Taxes excluded. No deposit is required in the case of the taxes
imposed by--

(i) Section 4042 (relating to fuel used on inland waterways);

(ii) Section 4161 (relating to sport fishing equipment and bows and
arrow components); (iii) Section 4682(h) (relating to floor stocks
tax on ozone-depleting chemicals); and

(iv) Section 48.4081-3(b)(1)(iii) of this chapter (relating to
certain removals of gasohol from refineries).

(2) One-time filings. No deposit is required in the case of any
taxes reportable on a one-time filing (as defined in
§40.6011(a)-2(b)).

(3) De minimis exception. For any calendar quarter, no deposit is
required if the net tax liability for the quarter does not exceed
$2,500.

(f) Effective date. This section is applicable with respect to
deposits that relate to calendar quarters beginning on or after the
date of publication of the final regulations in the Federal Register
. Par. 11. Section 40.6302(c)-2 is revised to read as follows:
§40.6302(c)-2 Special rules for September.

(a) In general--

(1) Separate deposits required for the second semimonthly period. In
the case of deposits of taxes not deposited under the alternative
method (regular method taxes) for the second semimonthly period in
September, separate deposits are required for the period September
16th through 26th and for the period September 27th through 30th.

(2) Amount of deposit--

(i) In general. The deposits of regular method taxes for the period
September 16th through 26th and the period September 27th through
30th must be not less than 95 percent of the net tax liability for
regular method taxes incurred during the respective periods. The net
tax liability for regular method taxes incurred during these periods
may be computed by--

(A) Determining the amount of net tax liability for regular method
taxes. reasonably expected to be incurred during the second
semimonthly period in September;

(B) Treating 11/15 of the amount determined under paragraph (a)(2)
(i)(A) of this section as the net tax liability for regular method
taxes incurred during the period September 16th through 26th ; and

(C) Treating the remainder of the amount determined under paragraph
(a)(2)(i)(A) of this section (adjusted to reflect the amount of net
tax liability for regular method taxes actually incurred through the
end of September) as the net tax liability for regular method taxes
incurred during the period September 27th through 30th.

(ii) Safe harbor rules. The safe harbor rules in
§40.6302(c)-1(b)(2) do not apply for the third calendar quarter
unless--

(A) The deposit of taxes for the period September 16th through 26th
is not less than 11/90 of the net tax liability for regular method
taxes reported for the look-back quarter; and

(B) The total deposit of taxes for the second semimonthly period in
September is not less than 1/6 of the net tax liability for regular
method taxes reported for the look-back quarter.

(3) Time to deposit.

(i) The deposit required for the period beginning September 16th
must be made by September 29th unless--

(A) September 29th is a Saturday, in which case the deposit must be
made by September 28th; or

(B) September 29th is a Sunday, in which case the deposit must be
made by September 30th.

(ii) The deposit required for the period ending September 30th must
be made at the time prescribed in §40.6302(c)-1(c).

(b) Persons not required to use electronic funds transfer. The rules
of this section are applied with the following modifications in the
case of a person not required to deposit taxes by electronic funds
transfer.

(1) Periods. The deposit periods for the separate deposits required
under paragraph (a) of this section are September 16th through 25th
and September 26th through 30th.

(2) Amount of deposit. In computing the amount of deposit required
under paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B) of this section, the applicable
fraction is 10/15. In computing the amount of deposit required under
paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, the applicable fraction is
10/90.

(3) Time to deposit. In the case of the deposit required under
paragraph (a) of this section for the period beginning September
16th, the deposit must be made by September 28th unless--

(i) September 28th is a Saturday, in which case the deposit must be
made by September 27th ; or

(ii) September 28th is a Sunday, in which case the deposit must be
made by September 29th.

(c) Effective date. This section is applicable with respect to
deposits that relate to calendar quarters beginning on or after the
date of publication of the final regulations in the Federal
Register.

Par. 12. Section 40.6302(c)-3 is amended as follows:

1. In paragraph (b)(1)(ii), the language "9-day rule of
§40.6302(c)-1(b)(6)" is removed and "rule of
§40.6302(c)-1(c)(1)" is added in its place.

2. In paragraph (b)(3), second sentence, the language "6th" is
removed and "16th" is added in its place.

3. In paragraph (d), first sentence, the language "not less than" is
removed and "not less than 95 percent of" is added in its place.

4. In paragraph (f)(4), the language "§40.6302(c)-1(c)(2)(i)"
is removed and "§40.6302(c)-1(b)(2)" is added in its place.

5. Paragraph (f)(5) is removed.

6. Paragraphs (f)(6) and (f)(7) are redesignated as paragraphs (f)
(5) and (f)(6), respectively.

7. Paragraph (g) is revised.

8. Paragraph (h) is removed.

The revision reads as follows:

§40.6302(c)-3 Special rules for use of Government depositaries
under chapter 33.

(g) Effective date. This section is applicable with respect to
deposits of taxes that are considered as collected in calendar
quarters beginning on or after the date of publication of the final
regulations in the Federal Register and to returns of tax for
calendar quarters beginning on or after the date of publication of
the final regulations in the Federal Register.

§40.6302(c)-4 [Removed ]

Par. 13. Section 40.6302(c)-4 is removed.

§40.9999-1 [Removed ]

Par. 14. Section 40.9999-1 is removed.

Robert E. Wenzel
Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue

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