Entry of Taxable Fuel, 41222-41224 [E7-14491]

Download as PDF 41222 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 144 / Friday, July 27, 2007 / Rules and Regulations § 14.100 List of standing advisory committees. * * * * * (a) * * * (4) Risk Communication Advisory Committee. (i) Date established: June 19, 2007. (ii) Function: The committee advises the Commissioner and designees on strategies and programs designed to communicate to the public the risks and benefits of FDA-regulated products so as to facilitate optimal use of these products. The committee also reviews and evaluates research relevant to such communication to the public by both FDA and other entities. It also facilitates interactively sharing risk and benefit information with the public to enable people to make informed independent judgments about use of FDA-regulated products. * * * * * Dated: July 17, 2007. Randall W. Lutter, Deputy Commissioner for Policy. [FR Doc. E7–14498 Filed 7–26–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160–01–S DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Parts 48 and 602 [TD 9346] RIN 1545–BC08 Entry of Taxable Fuel Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Final regulations and removal of temporary regulations. AGENCY: mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations relating to the tax on the entry of taxable fuel into the United States. The final regulations affect enterers of taxable fuel, other importers of record, and certain sureties. DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective July 27, 2007. Applicability Dates: For dates of applicability, see §§ 48.4081–1(f) and 48.4081–3(j). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Gabrysh at (202) 622–3130 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paperwork Reduction Act The collection of information contained in these final regulations has been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the Paperwork VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:44 Jul 26, 2007 Jkt 211001 Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number 1545–1897. The collection of information in these final regulations is in § 48.4081–3(c)(2)(iii) and (iv). This collection of information allows certain importers of record and sureties to avoid liability for the tax on the entry of taxable fuel into the United States. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget. The estimated annual burden per respondent and/or recordkeeper varies from 15 minutes to 2.25 hours, depending on individual circumstances, with an estimated average of 1.25 hours. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate and suggestions for reducing this burden should be sent to the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224, and the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503. Books or records relating to this collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103. Background This document amends the Manufacturers and Retailers Excise Tax Regulations (26 CFR part 48) to provide rules relating to the tax that section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) imposes on the entry of taxable fuel into the United States. On July 30, 2004, a temporary regulation (TD 9145, 69 FR 45587) relating to this topic was published in the Federal Register. A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG– 120616–03, 69 FR 45631) crossreferencing the temporary regulations was published in the Federal Register on the same day. Written and electronic comments were received and a public hearing was held on January 12, 2005. After considering the written comments and the comments made at the public hearing, the proposed regulations are adopted as revised by this Treasury decision, and the corresponding temporary regulations are removed. The temporary and proposed regulations. Effective September 28, 2004, the temporary regulations provide that the importer of record (under Customs law) of taxable fuel is jointly PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 and severally liable with the enterer for the tax imposed on the entry of taxable fuel if the importer of record is not the enterer (that is, the importer of record is a customs broker engaged by the enterer) and the enterer is not a taxable fuel registrant. Under the law in effect before September 28, 2004, an importer of record’s Customs bond could have been charged for any unpaid tax imposed on the entry of fuel imported under the bond. The preamble of the temporary regulations stated, however, that the IRS would not charge the Customs bond for the tax imposed on an entry of fuel occurring before September 28, 2004. In addition, the temporary regulations provide that the Customs bond posted with respect to the importation of fuel will not be charged for the tax imposed on an entry of fuel occurring after September 27, 2004, if the enterer is a taxable fuel registrant or the surety believes, based on the enterer’s certification, that the enterer is a taxable fuel registrant. Public comments. One commentator that represents an association of road builders supported the proposed and temporary regulations, calling them one of a series of important initiatives necessary to combat fuel tax evasion and finance the Highway Trust Fund. Several commentators that represent tribal interests in the state of New York opposed the regulations. They maintained that the regulations will cause fuel prices to increase at service stations located on tribal reservations. These higher fuel prices will reduce sales and result in the loss of several hundred tribal jobs. In addition, a reduction in sales at these stations would cause a decrease in receipts from the tribal tax on fuel sold on the reservations. This tax funds general tribal government services, including police, health, and welfare programs. Many of these commentators also suggested that the Treasury Department and the IRS failed to comply with section 5 of Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 6724) and Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735), which generally requires each Federal agency to consult with tribal officials before the promulgation of any regulation that ‘‘has tribal implications’’ or that ‘‘imposes substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments.’’ The final regulations. This Treasury decision adopts the proposed rules as final regulations without substantive change. Because the cross-reference notice of proposed rulemaking referred to the text of temporary rules, the Treasury decision includes the nonsubstantive, clerical changes need to E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM 27JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 144 / Friday, July 27, 2007 / Rules and Regulations mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES incorporate the temporary rule text into the final regulations. The rules in these regulations address the nonpayment of tax on fuel that is entered into the United States. An enterer’s failure to pay this tax not only gives it a competitive price advantage over its compliant competitors, but it also deprives the United States Treasury of revenue intended for the Highway Trust Fund. The final regulations do not impose a new tax burden on enterers of taxable fuel. Instead, the regulations simply provide the IRS with an additional enforcement tool to collect the tax that is owed under existing law and give an additional incentive for enterers to be registered. The imposition of tax on the entry of fuel sold on reservations results not from these regulations but from the statute, which does not provide an exemption from the tax for fuel sold on reservations. The only effect of these regulations is to improve the ability of the IRS to apply the tax consistently and fairly with respect to all taxpayers subject to the tax, without regard to whether or not the fuel is ultimately sold on tribal reservations. The Treasury Department and IRS determined that these regulations are not subject to Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249) which obligates an agency to consult with tribal officials when developing ‘‘policies that have tribal implications.’’ This executive order defines ‘‘policies that have tribal implications,’’ in part, as regulations that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes. The regulations do not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175, because they do not significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Indian tribal governments, nor do they impose direct compliance costs on them. Any economic effect of the fuel tax on tribal economies is a consequence of the statutory imposition of the tax, not the manner in which the regulations operate to implement the statute. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to the final or temporary regulations. Special Analyses It has been determined that these regulations are 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. It is hereby certified that the collection of information in these regulations will not have a significant economic impact on VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:44 Jul 26, 2007 Jkt 211001 41223 a substantial number of small entities. This certification is based upon the fact that any burden on taxpayers is minimal. Accordingly, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, the notice of proposed rulemaking preceding these final regulations was submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment on the impact of the regulations on small business. the time it is brought into the United States is the enterer. * * * * * (f) * * * (2) In paragraph (b) of this section the definition of aviation gasoline and the third sentence in the definition of terminal are applicable after January 1, 1998, the definition of kerosene, excluded liquid, and taxable fuel are applicable after June 30, 1998, and the definition of enterer is applicable to entries of taxable fuel after September 27, 2004. * * * Drafting Information § 48.4081–1T The principal author of these regulations is Celia Gabrysh, Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). However, other personnel from the IRS, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, participated in their development. I Par. 3. Section 48.4081–1T is removed. I Par. 4. Section 48.4081–3 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(2)(ii) through (iv), and (j) to read as follows: List of Subjects 26 CFR Part 48 Excise taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 26 CFR Part 602 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 48 and 602 are amended as follows: I PART 48—MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS EXCISE TAXES Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 48 continues to read, in part, as follows: I Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * * I Par. 2. Section 48.4081–1 is amended as follows: I 1. Paragraph (b) is amended by revising the definition of Enterer. I 2. The first sentence of paragraph (f)(2) is revised. The revisions read as follows: § 48.4081–1 Taxable fuel; definitions. * * * * * (b) * * * Enterer generally means the importer of record (under customs law) with respect to the taxable fuel, except that— (1) If the importer of record is a customs broker engaged by the owner of the taxable fuel, the person for whom the broker is acting is the enterer; and (2) If there is no importer of record for taxable fuel entered into the United States, the owner of the taxable fuel at PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 [Removed] § 48.4081–3 Taxable fuel; taxable events other than removal at the terminal rack. * * * * * (c) * * * (2) * * * (ii) Joint and several liability of the importer of record. The importer of record with respect to the taxable fuel is jointly and severally liable with the enterer for the tax imposed under paragraph (c)(1) of this section if— (A) The importer of record is not the enterer of the taxable fuel; and (B) The enterer is not a taxable fuel registrant. (iii) Conditions for avoidance of liability. The importer of record is not liable for the tax under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section if, at the time of the entry, the importer of record— (A) Has an unexpired notification certificate (as described in § 48.4081–5) from the enterer; and (B) Has no reason to believe that any information in the notification certificate is false. (iv) Customs bond. The Customs bond posted with respect to the importation of the fuel will not be charged for the tax imposed on the entry of the fuel if the enterer is a taxable fuel registrant. A Customs bond will not be charged for the tax imposed on the entry of the fuel covered by the bond, if at the time of entry, the surety— (A) Has an unexpired notification certificate (as described in § 48.4081–5) from the enterer; and (B) Has no reason to believe that any information in the notification certificate is false. * * * * * (j) Effective/applicability date: This section is applicable January 1, 1994, except that paragraphs (c)(2)(ii) through (iv) of this section are applicable to E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM 27JYR1 41224 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 144 / Friday, July 27, 2007 / Rules and Regulations entries of taxable fuel after September 27, 2004. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a tolerance for the combined residues of chlorothalonil and its metabolite, 4I Par. 5. Section 48.4081–3T is hydroxy-2,5,6removed. trichloroisophthalonitrile, in or on pea, § 48.4081–5 [Amended] edible podded. The Snowpea I Par. 6. Section 48.4081–5 is amended Commission of Guatemala requested by revising paragraph (a) to read as this tolerance under the Federal Food, follows: Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as (a) Overview. This section sets forth amended by the Food Quality Protection requirements for the notification Act of 1996 (FQPA). certificate under §§ 48.4081–2(c)(2)(ii), DATES: This regulation is effective July 48.4081–3(c)(2)(iii) and (iv), 48.4081– 27, 2007. Objections and requests for 3(d)(2)(iii), 48.4081–3(e)(2)(iii), hearings must be received on or before 48.4081–3(f)(2)(ii), and 48.4081–4(c) to September 25, 2007, and must be filed notify another person of the taxable fuel in accordance with the instructions registrant’s registration status. provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also * * * * * Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). PART 602—OMB CONTROL NUMBERS ADDRESSES: EPA has established a UNDER THE PAPERWORK docket for this action under docket REDUCTION ACT identification (ID) number EPA–HQ– OPP–2004–0257. All documents in the I Par. 7. The authority citation for part docket are listed in the index for the 602 continues to read as follows: docket. Although listed in the index, Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805. some information is not publicly I Par. 8. In § 602.101, paragraph (b) is available, e.g., Confidential Business amended by removing the entry for Information (CBI) or other information § 48.4081–3T, and revising the entry for whose disclosure is restricted by statute. § 48.4081–3 in the table to read as Certain other material, such as follows: copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly § 602.101 OMB control numbers. available only in hard copy form. * * * * * Publicly available docket materials are (b) * * * available in the electronic docket at https://www.regulations.gov, or, if only CFR part or section where Current OMB available in hard copy, at the OPP identified and described control No. Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), * * * * * 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA. 48.4081–3 ............................. 1545–1270 The Docket Facility is open from 8:30 1545–1418 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 1545–1897 excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305– * * * * * 5805. Kevin M. Brown, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deputy Commissioner for Services and Tony Kish, Registration Division Enforcement. (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Approved: July 16, 2007. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Eric Solomon, Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy). 703–308–9443; e-mail address: kish.tony@epa.gov. [FR Doc. E7–14491 Filed 7–26–07; 8:45 am] § 48.4081–3T [Removed] BILLING CODE 4830–01–P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY A. Does this Action Apply to Me? mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with RULES 40 CFR Part 180 [EPA–HQ–OPP–2004–0257; FRL–8127–9] Chlorthalonil; Pesticide Tolerance Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:44 Jul 26, 2007 Jkt 211001 You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to: • Crop production (NAICS 111), e.g., agricultural workers; greenhouse, PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 nursery, and floriculture workers; farmers. • Animal production (NAICS 112), e.g., cattle ranchers and farmers, dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers. • Food manufacturing (NAICS 311), e.g., agricultural workers; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; ranchers; pesticide applicators. • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS 32532), e.g., agricultural workers; commercial applicators; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; residential users. This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document? In addition to accessing an electronic copy of this Federal Register document through the electronic docket at https:// www.regulations.gov, you may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may also access a frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180 through the Government Printing Office’s pilot e-CFR site at https:// www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr. To access the OPPTS Harmonized Guidelines referenced in this document, go directly to the guidelines at https://www.epa.gpo/ opptsfrs/home/guidelin.htm. C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request? Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA, any person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. You must file your objection or request a hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID number EPA–HQ– OPP–2004–0257 in the subject line on the first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM 27JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 144 (Friday, July 27, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41222-41224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14491]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Parts 48 and 602

[TD 9346]
RIN 1545-BC08


Entry of Taxable Fuel

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Final regulations and removal of temporary regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations relating to the tax 
on the entry of taxable fuel into the United States. The final 
regulations affect enterers of taxable fuel, other importers of record, 
and certain sureties.

DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective July 27, 2007.
    Applicability Dates: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
48.4081-1(f) and 48.4081-3(j).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Gabrysh at (202) 622-3130 (not a 
toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collection of information contained in these final regulations 
has been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507) under 
control number 1545-1897. The collection of information in these final 
regulations is in Sec.  48.4081-3(c)(2)(iii) and (iv). This collection 
of information allows certain importers of record and sureties to avoid 
liability for the tax on the entry of taxable fuel into the United 
States.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid 
control number assigned by the Office of Management and Budget.
    The estimated annual burden per respondent and/or recordkeeper 
varies from 15 minutes to 2.25 hours, depending on individual 
circumstances, with an estimated average of 1.25 hours.
    Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden estimate and 
suggestions for reducing this burden should be sent to the Internal 
Revenue Service, Attn: IRS Reports Clearance Officer, 
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, Washington, DC 20224, and the Office of Management 
and Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the Department of the Treasury, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503.
    Books or records relating to this collection of information must be 
retained as long as their contents may become material in the 
administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and 
tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

Background

    This document amends the Manufacturers and Retailers Excise Tax 
Regulations (26 CFR part 48) to provide rules relating to the tax that 
section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) imposes on the entry 
of taxable fuel into the United States. On July 30, 2004, a temporary 
regulation (TD 9145, 69 FR 45587) relating to this topic was published 
in the Federal Register. A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-120616-
03, 69 FR 45631) cross-referencing the temporary regulations was 
published in the Federal Register on the same day. Written and 
electronic comments were received and a public hearing was held on 
January 12, 2005. After considering the written comments and the 
comments made at the public hearing, the proposed regulations are 
adopted as revised by this Treasury decision, and the corresponding 
temporary regulations are removed.
    The temporary and proposed regulations. Effective September 28, 
2004, the temporary regulations provide that the importer of record 
(under Customs law) of taxable fuel is jointly and severally liable 
with the enterer for the tax imposed on the entry of taxable fuel if 
the importer of record is not the enterer (that is, the importer of 
record is a customs broker engaged by the enterer) and the enterer is 
not a taxable fuel registrant. Under the law in effect before September 
28, 2004, an importer of record's Customs bond could have been charged 
for any unpaid tax imposed on the entry of fuel imported under the 
bond. The preamble of the temporary regulations stated, however, that 
the IRS would not charge the Customs bond for the tax imposed on an 
entry of fuel occurring before September 28, 2004. In addition, the 
temporary regulations provide that the Customs bond posted with respect 
to the importation of fuel will not be charged for the tax imposed on 
an entry of fuel occurring after September 27, 2004, if the enterer is 
a taxable fuel registrant or the surety believes, based on the 
enterer's certification, that the enterer is a taxable fuel registrant.
    Public comments. One commentator that represents an association of 
road builders supported the proposed and temporary regulations, calling 
them one of a series of important initiatives necessary to combat fuel 
tax evasion and finance the Highway Trust Fund.
    Several commentators that represent tribal interests in the state 
of New York opposed the regulations. They maintained that the 
regulations will cause fuel prices to increase at service stations 
located on tribal reservations. These higher fuel prices will reduce 
sales and result in the loss of several hundred tribal jobs. In 
addition, a reduction in sales at these stations would cause a decrease 
in receipts from the tribal tax on fuel sold on the reservations. This 
tax funds general tribal government services, including police, health, 
and welfare programs.
    Many of these commentators also suggested that the Treasury 
Department and the IRS failed to comply with section 5 of Executive 
Order 13175 (65 FR 6724) and Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735), which 
generally requires each Federal agency to consult with tribal officials 
before the promulgation of any regulation that ``has tribal 
implications'' or that ``imposes substantial direct compliance costs on 
Indian tribal governments.''
    The final regulations. This Treasury decision adopts the proposed 
rules as final regulations without substantive change. Because the 
cross-reference notice of proposed rulemaking referred to the text of 
temporary rules, the Treasury decision includes the nonsubstantive, 
clerical changes need to

[[Page 41223]]

incorporate the temporary rule text into the final regulations.
    The rules in these regulations address the nonpayment of tax on 
fuel that is entered into the United States. An enterer's failure to 
pay this tax not only gives it a competitive price advantage over its 
compliant competitors, but it also deprives the United States Treasury 
of revenue intended for the Highway Trust Fund. The final regulations 
do not impose a new tax burden on enterers of taxable fuel. Instead, 
the regulations simply provide the IRS with an additional enforcement 
tool to collect the tax that is owed under existing law and give an 
additional incentive for enterers to be registered.
    The imposition of tax on the entry of fuel sold on reservations 
results not from these regulations but from the statute, which does not 
provide an exemption from the tax for fuel sold on reservations. The 
only effect of these regulations is to improve the ability of the IRS 
to apply the tax consistently and fairly with respect to all taxpayers 
subject to the tax, without regard to whether or not the fuel is 
ultimately sold on tribal reservations.
    The Treasury Department and IRS determined that these regulations 
are not subject to Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249) which obligates 
an agency to consult with tribal officials when developing ``policies 
that have tribal implications.'' This executive order defines 
``policies that have tribal implications,'' in part, as regulations 
that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes. The 
regulations do not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive 
Order 13175, because they do not significantly or uniquely affect the 
communities of Indian tribal governments, nor do they impose direct 
compliance costs on them. Any economic effect of the fuel tax on tribal 
economies is a consequence of the statutory imposition of the tax, not 
the manner in which the regulations operate to implement the statute. 
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to the final or temporary 
regulations.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that these regulations are 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. It is hereby certified that the 
collection of information in these regulations will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
This certification is based upon the fact that any burden on taxpayers 
is minimal. Accordingly, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, the notice of proposed 
rulemaking preceding these final regulations was submitted to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for comment 
on the impact of the regulations on small business.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of these regulations is Celia Gabrysh, Office 
of Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries). 
However, other personnel from the IRS, the Treasury Department, and the 
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security, participated in their development.

List of Subjects

26 CFR Part 48

    Excise taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

26 CFR Part 602

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Adoption of Amendments to the Regulations

0
Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 48 and 602 are amended as follows:

PART 48--MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS EXCISE TAXES

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 48 continues to read, in 
part, as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *


0
Par. 2. Section 48.4081-1 is amended as follows:
0
1. Paragraph (b) is amended by revising the definition of Enterer.
0
2. The first sentence of paragraph (f)(2) is revised.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  48.4081-1  Taxable fuel; definitions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    Enterer generally means the importer of record (under customs law) 
with respect to the taxable fuel, except that--
    (1) If the importer of record is a customs broker engaged by the 
owner of the taxable fuel, the person for whom the broker is acting is 
the enterer; and
    (2) If there is no importer of record for taxable fuel entered into 
the United States, the owner of the taxable fuel at the time it is 
brought into the United States is the enterer.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) In paragraph (b) of this section the definition of aviation 
gasoline and the third sentence in the definition of terminal are 
applicable after January 1, 1998, the definition of kerosene, excluded 
liquid, and taxable fuel are applicable after June 30, 1998, and the 
definition of enterer is applicable to entries of taxable fuel after 
September 27, 2004. * * *


Sec.  48.4081-1T  [Removed]

0
Par. 3. Section 48.4081-1T is removed.

0
Par. 4. Section 48.4081-3 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(2)(ii) 
through (iv), and (j) to read as follows:


Sec.  48.4081-3  Taxable fuel; taxable events other than removal at the 
terminal rack.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Joint and several liability of the importer of record. The 
importer of record with respect to the taxable fuel is jointly and 
severally liable with the enterer for the tax imposed under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section if--
    (A) The importer of record is not the enterer of the taxable fuel; 
and
    (B) The enterer is not a taxable fuel registrant.
    (iii) Conditions for avoidance of liability. The importer of record 
is not liable for the tax under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section 
if, at the time of the entry, the importer of record--
    (A) Has an unexpired notification certificate (as described in 
Sec.  48.4081-5) from the enterer; and
    (B) Has no reason to believe that any information in the 
notification certificate is false.
    (iv) Customs bond. The Customs bond posted with respect to the 
importation of the fuel will not be charged for the tax imposed on the 
entry of the fuel if the enterer is a taxable fuel registrant. A 
Customs bond will not be charged for the tax imposed on the entry of 
the fuel covered by the bond, if at the time of entry, the surety--
    (A) Has an unexpired notification certificate (as described in 
Sec.  48.4081-5) from the enterer; and
    (B) Has no reason to believe that any information in the 
notification certificate is false.
* * * * *
    (j) Effective/applicability date: This section is applicable 
January 1, 1994, except that paragraphs (c)(2)(ii) through (iv) of this 
section are applicable to

[[Page 41224]]

entries of taxable fuel after September 27, 2004.


Sec.  48.4081-3T  [Removed]

0
Par. 5. Section 48.4081-3T is removed.


Sec.  48.4081-5  [Amended]

0
Par. 6. Section 48.4081-5 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read 
as follows:
    (a) Overview. This section sets forth requirements for the 
notification certificate under Sec. Sec.  48.4081-2(c)(2)(ii), 48.4081-
3(c)(2)(iii) and (iv), 48.4081-3(d)(2)(iii), 48.4081-3(e)(2)(iii), 
48.4081-3(f)(2)(ii), and 48.4081-4(c) to notify another person of the 
taxable fuel registrant's registration status.
* * * * *

PART 602--OMB CONTROL NUMBERS UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

0
Par. 7. The authority citation for part 602 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805.


0
Par. 8. In Sec.  602.101, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the 
entry for Sec.  48.4081-3T, and revising the entry for Sec.  48.4081-3 
in the table to read as follows:


Sec.  602.101  OMB control numbers.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Current OMB
   CFR part or section where identified and described       control No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
48.4081-3...............................................       1545-1270
                                                               1545-1418
                                                               1545-1897
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

Kevin M. Brown,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: July 16, 2007.
Eric Solomon,
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. E7-14491 Filed 7-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P
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