Does Your Business Pay Federal Excise Taxes and What You Need to Know

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If your business sells or uses certain products, you may be required to pay federal excise taxes. The IRS imposes excise taxes on a range of products and activities, including gasoline, diesel fuel, and air travel.

Some examples of products that are subject to federal excise taxes include gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel. The tax rates for these products vary, but they can be as high as 24.4 cents per gallon for gasoline.

Businesses that sell or use these products need to understand the tax rates and reporting requirements. This includes tracking sales and making regular payments to the IRS.

You'll need to register with the IRS and obtain any necessary permits or licenses to pay federal excise taxes. This will help you comply with tax laws and avoid any potential penalties.

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Understanding Federal Tax

Federal tax can be a bit confusing, but understanding how excise taxes work can help clarify things. Excise taxes are primarily intended for businesses, and most businesses that sell products subject to excise taxes are responsible for paying the tax to the government.

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They typically incorporate this tax into the price of the product, passing the cost onto the consumer. Consumers may not directly see the cost of most excise taxes, but some excise taxes are paid directly by consumers, including property taxes and levies on certain retirement account activities.

There are two main types of excise taxes: ad valorem and specific. Ad valorem taxes are a fixed percentage rate assessed on particular goods or services, while specific taxes are a fixed dollar amount applied to certain purchases.

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What is Tax?

Tax can be a complex and overwhelming topic, but at its core, it's quite straightforward. Excise taxes have been around since 1791, with the whiskey tax being the first example. These taxes are imposed on specific goods and activities in the U.S.

Businesses are responsible for collecting excise taxes on many products, services, and activities. This includes airline tickets and air cargo shipping, as well as fuels used in business, such as gasoline, diesel, and ethanol.

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Some excise taxes are "sin taxes" that aim to control the use of certain products, like cigarettes and sports betting. Others are user taxes imposed on goods that contribute to traffic congestion and road repairs.

Here are some examples of products and services subject to excise taxes:

  • Airline tickets and air cargo shipping
  • Fuels used in business, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and ethanol
  • Purchase of trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers
  • Ship passenger tax (per passenger)
  • Manufacturers' taxes on coal, taxable tires, gas guzzlers, etc.
  • Sport fishing equipment, fishing rods, poles, outboard motors, etc.
  • Vaccines, including those for influenza

To find out what products, services, and activities are subject to excise taxes in your state, check out the list of state tax agencies from the Federation of Tax Administrators.

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What is Federal Tax?

Federal tax is a type of tax levied by the federal government on certain goods and services. It's a complex system, but let's break it down.

The federal government charges a federal excise tax on certain goods and services, such as fuel, airline tickets, tobacco, and alcohol. This tax is usually passed on to the consumer, so they end up paying it indirectly.

There are two main types of federal excise taxes: ad valorem and specific taxes. Ad valorem taxes are a set percentage of the sale, while specific taxes are a set dollar amount charged on certain goods.

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Here are some examples of federal excise taxes:

  • Indoor tanning services: 10% of the sale
  • Firearms: 10% of the sale
  • Airline tickets: 7.5% of the sale
  • Heavy trucks: 12% of the sale

Businesses that sell these items or services must pay the federal excise tax and file Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, on a quarterly basis.

If you're a business owner, you'll need to register with the IRS to pay federal excise taxes. You can do this by filling out Form 637 and faxing or mailing it to the IRS. Once approved, you'll receive a registration letter.

Remember, federal excise taxes can be a significant expense for businesses, so it's essential to stay on top of your tax obligations.

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Calculating and Paying Tax

You'll need to calculate your federal excise tax liability based on your business's gross receipts or sales. The tax is typically a percentage of the gross receipts or sales, ranging from 3.125% to 14.2% depending on the type of excise tax.

The IRS requires businesses to file Form 720 to report and pay their federal excise taxes on a quarterly basis. This form must be filed by the 25th day of the month following the end of each quarter.

You can pay your federal excise tax online, by phone, or by mail using a credit or debit card, or by check. Electronic payment options are available through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).

Tax Obligations for Your Business

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As a business owner, it's essential to understand your tax obligations, especially when it comes to federal excise taxes. If you sell certain items or services, you may be required to pay excise taxes, which can be a trust fund tax, meaning you're responsible for collecting and paying the tax to the IRS.

You'll need to register with the IRS if you sell items subject to excise tax, such as alcohol, tobacco, and firearms, and you can face a penalty of $10,000 for the initial failure to register, plus $1,000 for each day thereafter.

To register, you'll need to fill out Form 637 and fax or mail a hard copy to the IRS. Once approved, you'll receive a registration letter, and you can check your registration status online with the IRS.

Here are some common items subject to federal excise taxes:

  • Tanning services (10% on tanning services that do not involve "phototherapy")
  • Motor fuel
  • Airline tickets
  • Tobacco
  • Alcohol
  • Health-related goods and services

As a business owner, it's crucial to understand your tax obligations and take care of responsibilities, such as filing Form 720 Federal Excise Tax Return on a quarterly basis and including quarterly payments.

Your Business Must Pay Tax?

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Your business must pay tax? It's not just about income taxes, but also excise taxes on specific goods and services. Excise taxes have been around since 1791, starting with the whiskey tax.

Businesses selling items like alcohol, tobacco, and firearms must register with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). If you fail to register, you can face a penalty of $10,000 for each initial failure, plus $1,000 for each day thereafter.

Some products subject to excise tax require registration before you can start selling them. You'll need to fill out Form 637 and fax or mail a hard copy to the IRS. Once approved, you'll get a registration letter and can check your status online.

Excise taxes are imposed on a range of goods and services, including airline tickets, air cargo shipping, alternative fuel mixtures, and more. You can find out what products and services are subject to excise tax in your state by checking the list of state tax agencies from the Federation of Tax Administrators.

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Here are some examples of products and services subject to federal excise tax:

  • Airline tickets and air cargo shipping
  • Alternative fuel mixtures
  • Environmental products such as domestic petroleum oil spills and ozone-depleting chemicals
  • Communications taxes on local phone services
  • Fuels used in business, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and ethanol
  • Purchase of trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers (at a percentage of the sales price on the first retail sale)
  • Ship passenger tax (per passenger)
  • Manufacturers' taxes on coal, taxable tires, gas guzzlers, etc.
  • Foreign insurance taxes
  • Sport fishing equipment, fishing rods, poles, outboard motors, etc.
  • Floor stocks tax on ozone-depleting chemical
  • Vaccines including those for influenza

Trust Fund Tax

As a business owner, it's essential to understand the concept of trust fund tax. Excise taxes are a trust fund tax, collected by your business and held in trust until paid to the IRS.

You must pay excise taxes to the IRS, even if you forgot to collect them from your customers. This is a serious responsibility, and failure to do so can result in penalties.

The IRS imposes a trust fund recovery penalty on unpaid federal excise taxes, which can be imposed individually on responsible persons. This means you or someone who has the authority to spend business funds can be held liable for the penalty.

A responsible party can be a business owner, an employee, an accountant, or anyone who has the authority to spend business funds. This can include people you may not expect, so it's crucial to understand who is responsible.

The amount of the penalty is the full amount of the unpaid tax. This can be a significant financial burden, so it's essential to prioritize paying your excise taxes on time.

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Specific

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Specific excise taxes are a type of tax that's calculated on a per-unit basis. This means that a set tax or fee is added to a specific product, making it a flat rate for every unit sold.

For example, the federal excise tax on small cigarettes is $1.01 per pack of 20. You can also see this in action with pipe tobacco, which is taxed at $2.83 per pound.

Some goods, like beer, have a specific excise tax as well. In the US, the federal tax on beer is $3.50 for the first 60,000 barrels.

Other examples of specific excise taxes include a tax of $3 per cruise ship passenger and $0.183 per gallon of gasoline.

Sin taxes on targeted goods like beer and alcohol can have a significant impact on consumers. For instance, in New York, the state excise tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes is $5.35, combined with the federal tax of $1.01, making the excise taxes alone $6.36.

Here are some examples of federal specific excise taxes as of February 2025:

Key Takeaways

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If your business pays federal excise taxes, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Excise taxes are imposed on certain products, services, and activities like cigarettes, gasoline, and gambling.

The government agencies that can set the items subject to excise taxes and tax rates are numerous. This includes the federal government, states, cities, and towns.

Businesses must collect these taxes from payees and keep records of these payments. It's essential to maintain accurate records to avoid any potential issues.

You'll need to report and pay federal excise taxes quarterly. This is a requirement, not an option.

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Examples

As a business owner, it's essential to understand which types of excise taxes your company may be liable for. Excise taxes can be a significant expense, and being aware of them can help you plan accordingly.

The federal government imposes excise taxes on various goods and services, including gasoline fuel and diesel fuel. If you're in the transportation industry, you're likely familiar with the 18.4 cents per gallon gasoline excise tax.

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If you're a boat manufacturer or seller, you should know that electric outboard motors are subject to a 3% excise tax on the sales price. This means that if you sell an electric outboard motor for $300, you'll need to collect an additional $9 in excise taxes.

Excise taxes can also be applied to specific services, such as indoor tanning services, which are subject to a 10% excise tax on the amount paid. This tax is typically passed on to the consumer.

Here's a breakdown of some common federal excise taxes:

It's worth noting that excise taxes can be implemented at both the state and federal levels, so it's essential to check with your local authorities to ensure you're in compliance with all applicable taxes.

Matthew McKenzie

Lead Writer

Matthew McKenzie is a seasoned writer with a passion for finance and technology. He has honed his skills in crafting engaging content that educates and informs readers on various topics related to the stock market. Matthew's expertise lies in breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible information, making him a sought-after writer in the finance niche.

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