(a) In general. The regulations in this part are designated the Excise Tax Procedural Regulations. The regulations in this part set forth administrative provisions relating to the excise taxes imposed by chapters 31 through 34, 36, 38, 39, 49, and 50A of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) (except for the chapter 32 tax imposed by section 4181 (firearms tax) and the chapter 36 taxes imposed by sections 4461 (harbor maintenance tax) and 4481 (heavy vehicle use tax)), and to floor stocks taxes imposed on articles subject to any of these taxes. Chapter 31 relates to retail excise taxes; chapter 32 to manufacturers' excise taxes; chapter 33 to taxes imposed on communications services and air transportation services; chapter 34 to taxes imposed on certain insurance policies; chapter 36 to taxes imposed on transportation by water; chapter 38 to environmental taxes; chapter 39 to taxes imposed on registration-required obligations; chapter 49 to taxes imposed on indoor tanning services; and chapter 50A to taxes imposed on the sale of designated drugs. References in this part to taxes also include references to the fees imposed by sections 4375 and 4376 of the Code. See parts 43, 46 through 49, and 52 of this chapter for regulations related to the imposition of tax.

(b) References to forms. Any reference to a form in this part is also a reference to any other form designated for the same use by the Commissioner after October 22, 1992.

(c) Definition of semimonthly period. The term “semimonthly period” means the first 15 days of a calendar month (the “first semimonthly period”) or the portion of a calendar month following the 15th day of the month (the “second semimonthly period”).

(d) Person. For purposes of this part, each business unit that has, or is required to have, a separate employer identification number is treated as a separate person. Thus, business units (for example, a parent corporation and a subsidiary corporation, a partner and the partner's partnership, or the various members of a consolidated group), each of which has, or is required to have, a different employer identification number, are separate persons.

(e) Applicability dates—(1) Paragraph (a). Paragraph (a) of this section applies to returns required to be filed under § 40.6011(a)-1 for calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 2023. For rules that apply before October 1, 2023, see 26 CFR part 40, revised as of April 1, 2024.

(2) Paragraphs (b) and (c). Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section apply to returns for calendar quarters beginning after March 31, 2013. For rules that apply before March 31, 2013, see 26 CFR part 40, revised as of April 1, 2012.

(3) Paragraph (d). Paragraph (d) of this section applies to returns for calendar quarters beginning on or after January 19, 2021. For rules that apply before January 19, 2021, see 26 CFR part 40, revised as of April 1, 2020.

[T.D. 8442, 57 FR 48177, Oct. 22, 1992; 58 FR 6575, Jan. 29, 1993, as amended by T.D. 8887, 65 FR 36326, June 8, 2000; T.D. 8963, 66 FR 41776, Aug. 9, 2001; T.D. 9486, 75 FR 33686, June 15, 2010; T.D. 9602, 77 FR 72728, Dec. 6, 2012; T.D. 9621, 78 FR 34876, June 11, 2013; T.D. 9948, 86 FR 5001, Jan. 19, 2021; T.D. 10003, 89 FR 55510, July 5, 2024]

(a) In general—(1) Return required. The return of any tax to which this part 40 applies must be made on Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, according to the instructions applicable to the form. The requirement for filing a return under this part 40 applies separately to each tax listed by IRS Number on Form 720. Except as provided in this paragraph (a)(1), an entry must be made on the line for the IRS Number in order to file a return of the tax corresponding to that number. The entry on an IRS Number line of the word “none,” “zero,” or comparable entry clearly indicating a denial of liability constitutes a return of that tax. The entry of the word “none” across the return or in the summary portion, provided it clearly indicates a denial of liability for all taxes, constitutes a return of all taxes listed on Form 720.

(2) Period covered by return—(i) In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, the return must be made for a period of one calendar quarter. A return must be filed for the first calendar quarter in which liability for tax is incurred (or in which tax must be collected and paid over) and for each subsequent calendar quarter, whether or not liability is incurred (or tax must be collected and paid over) during that subsequent quarter, until a final return under § 40.6011(a)-2 is filed. In the case of one-time filings (as defined in § 40.6011(a)-2(b)) and returns of floor stocks taxes under § 40.6011(a)-2(c), a first return is also a final return.

(ii) First return. A person's return is a first return if the person was not required under this part 40 to file a return (other than a final return) for the preceding period.

(iii) Floor stocks tax return. A return reporting liability for a floor stocks tax described in § 40.0-1(a) is a return for the calendar quarter in which the tax payment is due and not the calendar quarter in which the liability for tax is incurred.

(3) Person required to file the return. Except in the case of a tax required to be collected and paid over, the person incurring liability for tax must file the return. In the case of a tax required to be collected and paid over, the person required to collect the tax (and not the person incurring liability) must file the return.

(b) Monthly and semimonthly returns—(1) In general. If the district director determines that any person that is required under this section to file returns has failed to comply in a timely manner with the requirements of this part 40 relating to returns, payments, and deposits of tax, that person will be required, if so notified in writing by the district director, to make a return for a monthly or semimonthly period (as defined in § 40.0-1(c)). Each person so notified by the district director must make a return for the calendar month or semimonthly period in which the notice is received and for each calendar month or semimonthly period thereafter until the person has filed a final return or until the person is notified by the district director to resume making quarterly returns.

(2) Certain persons liable for tax on taxable fuel. The district director may require a person to make a return of tax for a monthly or semimonthly period in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section if the person—

(i) Is a bonded registrant (as defined in § 48.4101-1(b) of this chapter) at any time during the period;

(ii) Has been registered under section 4101 for less than one year at the beginning of the period;

(iii) Meets the acceptable risk test of § 48.4101-1(f)(3) of this chapter by reason of § 48.4101-1(f)(3)(i)(B) of this chapter at any time during the period;

(iv) Has failed to comply with the applicable provisions of § 48.4101-1(h) of this chapter (relating to the terms and conditions of registration);

(v) Is liable for tax under § 48.4082-4(a) of this chapter (relating to the back-up tax on diesel fuel and kerosene) at any time during the period; or

(vi) Is liable for tax under section 4081 (relating to the tax on taxable fuel) at any time during the period and is not registered under section 4101 at that time.

(c) Fees on health insurance policies and self-insured health plans—(1) In general. A return that reports liability imposed by section 4375 or 4376 is a return for policies or plans with policy or plan years ending in the previous calendar year, and, for issuers that determine the average number of lives covered under a policy for purposes of section 4375 using the member months method under § 46.4375-1(c)(2)(v) or the state form method under § 46.4375-1(c)(2)(vi) of this chapter, the return is for all policies in effect during the previous calendar year. The second sentence of paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section (relating to filing quarterly returns regardless of whether liability is incurred) does not apply to a person that files a Form 720, “Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return,” only to report liability imposed by section 4375 or 4376.

(2) Applicability date. This paragraph (c) applies to returns that report liability imposed by section 4375 or 4376.

(d) Tax on the sale of designated drugs. A return that reports liability imposed by section 5000D of the Internal Revenue Code must be made for a period of one calendar quarter. A return must be filed for each calendar quarter in which liability for the tax imposed by section 5000D is incurred. There is no requirement that a return be filed for a calendar quarter in which there is no liability imposed by section 5000D.

(e) Applicability dates—(1) Paragraph (a)(2)(i). Paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section applies to returns filed for calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 2023. For rules that apply before October 1, 2023, see 26 CFR part 40, revised as of April 1, 2024.

(2) Paragraph (c). See paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

(3) Paragraph (d). Paragraph (d) of this section applies to returns filed for calendar quarters beginning on and after October 1, 2023.

[T.D. 8442, 57 FR 48177, Oct. 22, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8659, 61 FR 10452, Mar. 14, 1996; 61 FR 58005, Nov. 12, 1996; T.D. 8748, 63 FR 25, Jan. 2, 1998; T.D. 8879, 65 FR 17153, Mar. 31, 2000; T.D. 8887, 65 FR 36326, June 8, 2000; T.D. 8963, 66 FR 41776, Aug. 9, 2001; T.D. 9602, 77 FR 72728, Dec. 6, 2012; T.D. 10003, 89 FR 55511, July 5, 2024]

(a) In general—(1) Permanent cessation of operations. Any person that is required under § 40.6011(a)-1 to make returns and that permanently ceases all operations with respect to which liability for tax was incurred (or with respect to which tax had to be collected and paid over) must make a final return in accordance with the instructions applicable to the form on which the return is made. A person does not make a final return if only a temporary or partial cessation of such operations occurs and must continue to file returns as required under § 40.6011(a)-1.

(2) Change in law without cessation of operations. Any person that is required under § 40.6011(a)-1 to make returns must make a final return in accordance with the instructions applicable to the form on which the return is made if, by reason of a change in law, that person is no longer liable for any tax (or, in the case of a collected tax, is no longer responsible for collecting and paying over any tax). For example, if the tax on a product is changed from a retail tax to a manufacturers tax, a retailer formerly liable for the tax but now buying the product tax-paid from its supplier must make a final return (assuming that the retailer has no other tax liability reportable on the return).

(b) Special rule for one-time filings—(1) In general. A first return is also a final return if it is a one-time filing. A return is a one-time filing if the person reporting tax does not engage in any activity with respect to which tax is reportable on the return in the course of a trade or business.

(2) Deposits not required. See § 40.6302(c)-1(e)(2) for a rule providing that no deposit of taxes reported on a one-time filing is required.

(c) Special rule for floor stocks taxes. A first return reporting only floor stocks taxes under this part 40 is also a final return.

[T.D. 8442, 57 FR 48177, Oct. 22, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8685, 61 FR 58005, Nov. 12, 1996; T.D. 8963, 66 FR 41776, Aug. 9, 2001]

(a) In general. A person that employs one or more tax return preparers to prepare a return or claim for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies other than for the person, at any time during a return period, shall satisfy the recordkeeping and inspection requirements in the manner stated in § 1.6060-1 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78454, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5105, Jan. 29, 2009]

(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) Monthly and semimonthly returns—(1) Monthly returns. Each monthly return required under § 40.6011(a)-1(b) must be filed by the fifteenth day of the month following the month for which it is made.

(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) Fees on health insurance policies and self-insured health plans—(1) Specified health insurance policies. A return that reports liability for the fee imposed by section 4375 must be filed by July 31 of the calendar year immediately following the last day of the policy year. For issuers that determine the average number of lives covered under the policy for section 4375 using the member months method under § 46.4375-1(c)(2)(v) or the state form method under § 46.4375-1(c)(2)(vi), the return must be filed by July 31 of the immediately following calendar year. Thus, for example, a return that reports liability for the fee imposed by section 4375 for the year ending on December 31, 2012, must be filed by July 31, 2013.

(2) Applicable self-insured health plans. A return that reports liability for the fee imposed by section 4376 for a plan year must be filed by July 31 of the calendar year immediately following the last day of the plan year. Thus, for example, a return that reports liability for the fee imposed by section 4376 for the plan year ending on January 31, 2013, must be filed by July 31, 2014.

(d) Effective/Applicability date. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section apply to returns for calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 2001, and paragraph (c) of this section applies to returns that report liability imposed by section 4375 or 4376.

[T.D. 8442, 57 FR 48177, Oct. 22, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8963, 66 FR 41776, Aug. 9, 2001; T.D. 9602, 77 FR 72728, Dec. 6, 2012]

(a) Quarterly returns. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, returns must be filed in accordance with the instructions applicable to the form on which the return is made.

(b) Hand-carried returns—(1) Persons other than corporations. Returns of persons other than corporations that are filed by hand carrying must be filed with any person assigned the responsibility to receive hand-carried returns in the local Internal Revenue Service office that serves the principal place of business or legal residence of the person.

(2) Corporations. Returns of corporations that are filed by hand carrying must be filed with any person assigned the responsibility to receive hand-carried returns in the local Internal Revenue Service office that serves the principal place of business or principal office or agency of the corporation.

(c) Monthly and semimonthly returns. Monthly and semimonthly returns required under § 40.6011(a)-1(b) must be filed in accordance with the forms and instructions, or other published guidance.

[T.D. 8442, 57 FR 48177, Oct. 22, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8968, 66 FR 41776, Aug. 9, 2001; T.D. 9158, 69 FR 55744, Sept. 16, 2004; T.D. 9602, 77 FR 72728, Dec. 6, 2012]

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

[T.D. 8963, 66 FR 41776, Aug. 9, 2001]

(a) In general. A person who is a signing tax return preparer of any return or claim for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies shall furnish a completed copy of the return or claim for refund to the taxpayer and retain a completed copy or record in the manner stated in § 1.6107-1 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable for returns and claims for refund filed after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78454, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5105, Jan. 29, 2009]

(a) In general. Each return or claim for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies prepared by one or more signing tax return preparers must include the identifying number of the preparer required by § 1.6695-1(b) of this chapter to sign the return or claim for refund in the manner stated in § 1.6109-2 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78454, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5105, Jan. 29, 2009]

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.

[T.D. 8968, 66 FR 41776, Aug. 9, 2001]

Any person may voluntarily remit by electronic funds transfer any payment of tax to which this part 40 applies. Such payment must be made in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Commissioner.

[T.D. 8828, 64 FR 37677, July 13, 1999]

(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, 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 14th day of the following semimonthly period unless such 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 14th day. Thus, generally, the deposit of tax for the first semimonthly period in a month is due by the 29th day of that month and the 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) Deposits required by electronic funds transfer. All deposits required by this part must be made by electronic funds transfer, as that term is defined in § 31.6302-1(h)(4) of this chapter.

(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);

(iv) Sections 4375 and 4376 (relating to fees on health insurance policies and self-insured insurance plans);

(v) Section 5000B (relating to indoor tanning services); and

(vi) Section 5000D (relating to the sale of designated drugs).

(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) Applicability dates—(1) Paragraphs (a) through (d). Paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section apply to deposits and payments made after March 31, 2013. For rules that apply before March 31, 2013, see 26 Cspan part 40, revised as of April 1, 2013.

(2) Paragraph (e). Paragraph (e) of this section applies to calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 2023. For rules that apply before October 1, 2023, see 26 Cspan part 40, revised as of April 1, 2024.

[T.D. 8963, 66 span 41776, Aug. 9, 2001, as amended by T.D. 9486, 75 span 33686, June 15, 2010; T.D. 9507, 75 span 75903, Dec. 7, 2010; T.D. 9602, 77 span 72728, Dec. 6, 2012; T.D. 9621, 78 span 34846, June 11, 2013; T.D. 10003, 89 span 55511, July 5, 2024]

(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 October 1, 2001, except that paragraph (b) of this section does not apply after December 31, 2010.

[T.D. 8963, 66 span 41777, Aug. 9, 2001, as amended by T.D. 9507, 75 span 75904, Dec. 7, 2010]

(a) Overview. This section sets forth an alternative method for computing the amount of deposits of taxes imposed by chapter 33, and provides rules relating to the time for making a deposit and the amount of tax to be reported on the return of tax for each quarter by persons using the alternative method. The safe harbor rules for computing deposits of tax using the alternative method and the general rules relating to deposits are set forth in § 40.6302(c)-1 and apply unless inconsistent with the rules set forth below.

(b) Alternative method for computing deposits—(1) In general—(i) Alternative method. Any person required to collect and pay over any tax imposed by chapter 33 may compute the amount of that tax to be deposited on the basis of amounts considered as collected (the “alternative method”) instead of on the basis of actual collections of tax.

(ii) Using more than one method to compute deposits. A person may compute deposits of tax imposed by one or more sections of chapter 33 using the alternative method provided by this section and compute deposits of taxes imposed by other sections of chapter 33 on the basis of amounts actually collected using the rule of § 40.6302(c)-1(c)(1). For purposes of this paragraph (b)(1)(ii), the taxes imposed by section 4261(a) and (b) are treated as taxes imposed by the same section.

(2) Applicability—(i) In general. A person may use the alternative method with respect to a tax only if the person—

(A) Separately accounts for the tax in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section; and

(B) Makes a return of the tax on the basis of the amount of the tax that is considered as collected.

(ii) Separate account. The account required under paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) of this section (the separate account)—

(A) Must reflect for each month all items of tax that are included in amounts billed or tickets sold to customers during the month;

(B) May not reflect an item of adjustment for any month during a quarter if the adjustment results from a refusal to pay or inability to collect the tax and the uncollected tax has not been reported under § 49.4291-1 of this chapter on or before the due date of the return for that quarter; and

(C) Must reflect for each month items of adjustment (including bad debts and errors) relating to the tax for prior months within the period of limitations on credits or refunds.

(iii) Change of method. The method of computing deposits of tax imposed by a section of chapter 33 (as described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section) may be changed only at the beginning of a calendar quarter. Before a person changes the method used to compute the amount of tax to be deposited and reported for a calendar quarter, the person must notify the Commissioner so that proper adjustments may be made in order to properly reflect that person's collections of excise tax.

(3) Period during which tax is considered as collected. For purposes of this section, the tax included in amounts billed or tickets sold during a semimonthly period (as defined in § 40.0-1(c)) is considered as collected during the first seven days of the second following semimonthly period. Thus, the tax included in amounts billed or tickets sold during the first semimonthly period of a calendar month is considered as collected during the period of the 1st day through the 7th day of the following month; the tax included in amounts billed or tickets sold during the second semimonthly period of a calendar month is considered as collected during the period of the 16th day through the 22nd day of the following month.

(4) When amounts are billed. For purposes of this section, an amount is billed on the earlier of the date the amount is received or the date a bill for the amount is rendered.

(c) Time to deposit. Under the alternative method, the deposit of tax for any semimonthly period must be made by the third business day after the seventh day of that semimonthly period. For purposes of this paragraph (c), a “business day” is any calendar day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The term legal holiday means a legal holiday in the District of Columbia as defined in section 7503. Thus, for example, the deposit for the semimonthly period beginning on January 1, 2011 (relating to amounts billed between December 1st and December 15, 2010) is due by January 12, 2011, three business days after January 7, the seventh day of the semimonthly period. The deposit for the semimonthly period beginning on October 1, 2011 (relating to amounts billed between September 1st and September 15, 2011), is due by October 13, 2011, due to the October 10, 2011, Columbus Day holiday.

(d) Computation of net amount of tax that is considered as collected during a semimonthly period. The net amount of tax that is considered as collected during the semimonthly period must be either the net amount of tax reflected in the separate account for the corresponding semimonthly period of the preceding month or one-half the net amount of tax reflected in the separate account for the preceding month.

(e) Reporting of tax. If a tax is deposited under the alternative method for a calendar quarter, the return of tax for the quarter must report the net amount of the tax that is considered as collected during the quarter and not the amount of the tax that is actually collected during the quarter. The amount to be reported for each month is the net amount of tax reflected in the separate account for the preceding month. For example, amounts billed in December, January, and February are considered as collected during January, February, and March, and are reported as the collections of tax for January, February, and March (the first calendar quarter). Thus, the net amount of tax reflected in the separate accounts for December, January, and February is the amount reported as collections for the first quarter.

(f) Special rules for September—(1) Deposits required. In the case of alternative method taxes charged (that is, included in amounts billed or tickets sold) during the first semimonthly period in September, separate deposits are required for the taxes charged during the period September 1st-11th and the period September 12th-15th.

(2) Time to deposit—(i) In general. The deposit required for alternative method taxes charged during the period beginning September 1st must be made by September 29. The deposit required for alternative method taxes charged during the period ending September 15th must be made at the time prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section for making deposits for the first semimonthly period in October.

(ii) Due date on Saturday or Sunday. A deposit that would otherwise be due on September 29 must be made by September 28 if September 29 is a Saturday and by September 30 if September 29 is a Sunday.

(3) Amount of deposit. The deposits of alternative method taxes required for the period September 1st-11th and the period September 12th-15th must be not less than the amount of alternative method taxes charged during the respective periods. The amount of alternative method taxes charged during these periods may be computed by—

(i) Determining the net amount of alternative method taxes reflected in the separate account for the first semimonthly period in September (or one-half of the net amount of alternative method taxes reasonably expected to be reflected in the separate account for the month of September);

(ii) Treating 11/15 of that amount as the amount of taxes charged during the period September 1st-11th; and

(iii) Treating the remainder of the amount determined under paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section (adjusted, if that amount is based on reasonable expectations, to reflect actual taxes charged through the end of September) as the amount charged during the period September 12th-15th.

(4) Safe harbor rule based on look-back quarter liability. The safe harbor rule of § 40.6302(c)-1(b)(2) does not apply for the fourth calendar quarter unless—

(i) The deposit for alternative method taxes charged during the period September 1st-11th is not less than 11/90 of the net tax liability reported for alternative method taxes for the look-back quarter; and

(ii) The total deposit for alternative method taxes charged during the first semimonthly period in September is not less than 1/6 of the net tax liability reported for alternative method taxes for the look-back quarter.

(5) Persons not required to use electronic funds transfer. In the case of a person that is not required to deposit excise taxes by electronic funds transfer (a non-EFT depositor), the rules of this paragraph (f) apply with the following modifications:

(i) The taxes for which separate deposits must be made are the taxes charged during the periods September 1st-10th and September 11th-15th.

(ii) The deposit required for taxes charged during the period beginning September 1st must be made by September 28. A deposit that would otherwise be due on September 28 must be made by September 27 if September 28 is a Saturday and by September 29 if September 28 is a Sunday.

(iii) The generally applicable fractions and percentage are modified to reflect the different deposit periods in accordance with the following table:

(g) Effective date. This section is applicable with respect to deposits and returns that relate to taxes that are considered as collected in calendar quarters beginning on or after October 1, 2001, except that paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section is applicable October 1, 2004, and except that paragraph (f)(5) of this section does not apply after December 31, 2010.

[T.D. 8442, 57 span 48177, Oct. 22, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8685, 61 span 58006, Nov. 12, 1996; 63 span 15292, Mar. 31, 1998; T.D. 8963, 66 span 41778, Aug. 9, 2001; T.D. 9051, 68 span 15941, Apr. 2, 2003; T.D. 9149, 69 span 48394, Aug. 10, 2004; T.D. 9221, 70 span 49869, Aug. 25, 2005; T.D. 9507, 75 span 75904, Dec. 7, 2010; 76 span 709, Jan. 6, 2011]

(a) In general. For general definitions regarding section 6694 penalties applicable to preparers of returns or claims for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies, see § 1.6694-1 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed, and advice provided, after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78454, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5106, Jan. 29, 2009]

(a) In general. A person who is a tax return preparer of any return or claim for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies shall be subject to penalties under section 6694(a) in the manner stated in § 1.6694-2 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed, and advice provided, after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78455, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5106, Jan. 29, 2009]

(a) In general. A person who is a tax return preparer of any return or claim for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies shall be subject to penalties under section 6694(b) in the manner stated in § 1.6694-3 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed, and advice provided, after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78455, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5106, Jan. 29, 2009]

(a) In general. For rules relating to the extension of period of collection when a tax return preparer who prepared return or claim for refund of excise tax of any tax to which this part 40 applies pays 15 percent of a penalty for understatement of taxpayer's liability and procedural matters relating to the investigation, assessment and collection of the penalties under section 6694(a) and (b), the rules under § 1.6694-4 of this chapter will apply.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed, and advice provided, after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78455, Dec. 22, 2008]

(a) In general. A person who is a tax return preparer of any return or claim for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies shall be subject to penalties for failure to furnish a copy to the taxpayer under section 6695(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), failure to sign the return under section 6695(b) of the Code, failure to furnish an identification number under section 6695(c) of the Code, failure to retain a copy or list under section 6695(d) of the Code, failure to file a correct information return under section 6695(e) of the Code, and negotiation of a check under section 6695(f) of the Code, in the manner stated in § 6695-1 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable for returns and claims for refund filed after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78455, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5106, Jan. 29, 2009]

(a) In general. The rules under § 1.6696-1 of this chapter will apply for claims for credit or refund by a tax return preparer who prepared a return or claim for refund of any tax to which this part 40 applies.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed, and advice provided, after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78455, Dec. 22, 2008; 74 FR 5106, Jan. 29, 2009]

(a) In general. For the definition of a tax return preparer, see § 301.7701-15 of this chapter.

(b) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable to returns and claims for refund filed, and advice provided, after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9436, 73 FR 78455, Dec. 22, 2008]