[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 148 (Friday, July 31, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46032-46044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15504]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Parts 40 and 49

[REG-112042-19]
RIN 1545-BP37


Excise Taxes; Transportation of Persons by Air; Transportation of 
Property by Air; Aircraft Management Services

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and partial withdrawal of notice 
of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations relating to the 
excise taxes imposed on certain amounts paid for transportation of 
persons and property by air. Specifically, the proposed regulations 
relate to the exemption for amounts paid for certain aircraft 
management services. The proposed regulations also amend, revise, 
redesignate, and remove provisions of existing regulations that are 
out-of-date or obsolete and generally update the existing regulations 
to incorporate statutory changes, case law, and other published 
guidance. In addition, the proposed regulations withdraw a provision 
that was included in a prior notice of proposed rulemaking that was 
never finalized and re-propose it. The proposed regulations affect 
persons that provide air transportation of persons and property, and 
persons that pay for those services.

DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing 
must be received by September 29, 2020. Requests for a public hearing 
must be submitted as prescribed in the ``Comments and Requests for a 
Public Hearing'' section.

ADDRESSES: Commenters are strongly encouraged to submit public comments 
electronically. Submit electronic submissions via the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov (indicate IRS and REG-112042-
19) by following the online instructions for submitting comments. Once 
submitted to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, comments cannot be edited 
or withdrawn. The IRS expects to have limited personnel available to 
process public comments that are submitted on paper through mail. Until 
further notice, any comments submitted on paper will be considered to 
the extent practicable. The Department of the Treasury (Treasury 
Department) and the IRS will publish for public availability any 
comment submitted electronically, and to the extent practicable on 
paper, to its public docket.
    Send paper submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-112042-19), Room 5203, 
Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC 20044.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the proposed regulations, 
Michael H. Beker or Rachel S. Smith at (202) 317-6855; concerning 
submissions of comments and/or requests for a public hearing, Regina 
Johnson, (202) 317-5177 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    This document contains proposed amendments to the Facilities and 
Services Excise Tax Regulations (26 CFR part 49) under sections 4261, 
4262, 4263, 4264, 4271, 4281, and 4282 of the Internal Revenue Code 
(Code). This document also contains proposed amendments to the Excise 
Tax Procedural Regulations (26 CFR part 40).
    Section 4261 imposes an excise tax on certain amounts paid for 
transportation of persons by air. Section 4271 imposes an excise tax on 
certain amounts paid for transportation of property by air. The excise 
taxes imposed by sections 4261 and 4271 (collectively, air 
transportation excise tax), as well as certain Federal fuel taxes, are 
deposited into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which funds the 
Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) operations, air transportation 
infrastructure, and other aviation-related programs. See section 9502 
of the Code.
    Section 13822 of Public Law 115-97, 131 Stat. 2054, 2182 (2017), 
commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), amended the 
Code by adding paragraph (e)(5) to section 4261. The

[[Page 46033]]

new provision provides that no tax shall be imposed by section 4261 or 
4271 on any amount paid by an aircraft owner for aircraft management 
services related to: (1) Maintenance and support of the aircraft 
owner's aircraft, or (2) flights on the aircraft owner's aircraft.
    Section 4261(e)(5)(B) defines the term ``aircraft management 
services'' to include assisting an aircraft owner with: (1) 
Administrative and support services, such as scheduling, flight 
planning, and weather forecasting; (2) obtaining insurance; (3) 
maintenance, storage, and fueling of aircraft; (4) hiring, training, 
and provision of pilots and crew; (5) establishing and complying with 
safety standards; and (6) such other services as are necessary to 
support flights operated by an aircraft owner.
    Section 4261(e)(5)(C)(i) provides that the term ``aircraft owner'' 
includes a person who leases an aircraft other than under a 
``disqualified lease.'' Section 4261(e)(5)(C)(ii) defines the term 
``disqualified lease'' for purposes of section 4261(e)(5)(C)(i) as a 
lease from a person providing aircraft management services with respect 
to the aircraft (or a related person (within the meaning of section 
465(b)(3)(C)) to the person providing such services), if the lease is 
for a term of 31 days or less.
    Finally, section 4261(e)(5)(D) provides that in the case of amounts 
paid to any person which (but for section 4261(e)(5)) are subject to 
air transportation excise tax, a portion of which consists of amounts 
described in section 4261(e)(5)(A), section 4261(e)(5) shall apply on a 
pro rata basis only to the portion which consists of amounts described 
in section 4261(e)(5)(A).
    The Conference Report accompanying the TCJA, H.R. Rep. No. 115-466, 
at 536 (2017) (Conference Report), explains that section 4261(e)(5) 
``exempts certain payments related to the management of private 
aircraft from the excise taxes imposed on taxable transportation of 
persons by air.'' The Conference Report further explains that certain 
arrangements that do not qualify a person as an ``aircraft owner'' for 
purposes of section 4261(e)(5) include ownership of stock in a 
commercial airline and participation in a fractional ownership aircraft 
program. Id. at 536 n.1190.
    With regard to commercial airlines, the Conference Report 
specifically states that ownership of stock in a commercial airline 
cannot qualify an individual as an ``aircraft owner'' of a commercial 
airline's aircraft, and amounts paid for transportation on such flights 
remain subject to air transportation excise tax. Id.
    The Conference Report further states that participation in a 
fractional ownership aircraft program does not constitute ``aircraft 
ownership'' for purposes of section 4261(e)(5). Id. Amounts paid to a 
fractional ownership aircraft program for transportation under such a 
program are already exempt from air transportation excise tax pursuant 
to section 4261(j) if certain requirements provided in section 4043 of 
the Code are satisfied, including that the aircraft is operated under 
subpart K of part 91 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(subpart K). Id. Flights under a fractional ownership aircraft program 
are subject to both the fuel tax levied on noncommercial aviation and 
an additional fuel surtax imposed by section 4043 (fuel surtax). Id. As 
a result, the Conference Report explains that ``a business arrangement 
seeking to circumvent the fuel surtax by operating outside of subpart 
K, allowing an aircraft owner the right to use any of a fleet of 
aircraft, be it through an aircraft interchange agreement, through 
holding nominal shares in a fleet of aircraft, or any other arrangement 
that does not reflect true tax ownership of the aircraft being flown 
upon, is not considered ownership for purposes of [section 
4261(e)(5)].'' Id.
    With regard to the pro rata allocation rule in section 
4261(e)(5)(D), the Conference Report states that in the event that a 
payment made to an aircraft management company is allocated in part to 
exempt services and flights on the aircraft owner's aircraft, and in 
part to flights on aircraft other than that of the aircraft owner, air 
transportation excise tax must be collected on that portion of the 
payment attributable to flights on aircraft not owned by the aircraft 
owner. Id. at 536.
    Section 4007 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security 
Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 181 (2020), created an 
excise tax holiday on certain aviation taxes by suspending air 
transportation excise tax and certain fuel excise taxes from March 28, 
2020, through December 31, 2020. Nothing in these proposed regulations 
should be construed as affecting the excise tax holiday created by the 
CARES Act. In addition, except with regard to the provisions in 26 CFR 
part 40, the Treasury decision adopting these proposed regulations as 
final regulations will apply no sooner than January 1, 2021.

Explanation of Provisions

1. Aircraft Management Services

    The proposed regulations provide rules related to the exemption 
from air transportation excise tax for amounts paid by an aircraft 
owner for aircraft management services pursuant to section 4261(e)(5).
    During the development of these proposed regulations, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS received various requests for guidance from 
stakeholders (referred to herein as ``commenters'') related to the 
first five issues discussed in part 1 of this Explanation of 
Provisions.
a. Applicability of Possession, Command, and Control Test
    Commenters requested clarification on the applicability of the 
possession, command, and control test in existing guidance to amounts 
paid for aircraft management services in light of section 4261(e)(5). 
The possession, command, and control test is a facts-and-circumstances 
analytical framework that is used to determine whether a person is 
providing taxable transportation to another person in cases where each 
of the parties contribute some, but not all, of the elements necessary 
for complete air transportation services. See e.g., Rev. Rul. 60-311 
(1960-2 C.B. 341), Rev. Rul. 70-325 (1970-1 C.B. 231), and Rev. Rul. 
76-394 (1976-2 C.B. 355). Section 4261(e)(5) directly addresses a 
situation that, but for section 4261(e)(5), would be analyzed using the 
possession, command, and control test. As a result, in situations to 
which the section 4261(e)(5) exemption applies, the possession, 
command, and control test is not relevant.
b. Related-Party Payments
    The second issue for which commenters requested guidance relates to 
the treatment of payments for aircraft management services made by a 
person who has a close relationship to the aircraft owner, but is not 
itself the owner of the aircraft. The commenters suggested that 
payments that are made by certain parties related to the aircraft owner 
should be considered as though made by the aircraft owner.
    First, the commenters suggested that the proposed regulations 
should treat payments made by one member of an affiliated group (as 
that term is used in section 4282) on behalf of an aircraft owner that 
is a member of the same affiliated group as being made by the aircraft 
owner.
    Second, the commenters suggested that payments made by an owner of 
a special purpose entity should be treated as being made by the 
aircraft owner if the special purpose entity owns the aircraft. For 
example, individuals and corporations often create a single member 
limited liability company

[[Page 46034]]

(SMLLC) to own an aircraft in order to comply with FAA regulations or 
limit liability exposure. In such cases, the owner of the SMLLC often 
makes payments for aircraft management services on behalf of the SMLLC.
    Finally, the commenters suggested that payments made by an aircraft 
owner's family members, as well as other persons and entities (for 
example, trusts, as well as the trust's fiduciaries and beneficiaries) 
closely related to an aircraft owner be treated as being made by the 
aircraft owner. For this purpose, the commenters suggested that the 
proposed regulations should treat payments for aircraft management 
services made on behalf of the aircraft owner by a family member of the 
aircraft owner and by persons and entities bearing relationships to the 
aircraft owner described in sections 267(b) and 707(b) of the Code as 
amounts paid by the aircraft owner.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS understand that it is common 
practice in the private aviation sector for persons that bear certain 
close relationships to an aircraft owner to make payments for aircraft 
management services on behalf of the aircraft owner. However, 
exceptions to tax, like deductions, are matters of legislative grace, 
and such provisions are construed narrowly. See Comm'r v. Nat'l Alfalfa 
Dehydrating & Milling Co., 417 U.S. 134, 148-9 (1974) (``The propriety 
of a deduction [. . .] depends upon legislative grace; and only as 
there is clear provision therefor can any particular deduction be 
allowed.'' (citations omitted)); Shami v. Comm'r, 741 F.3d 560, 567 
(5th Cir. 2014) (``Tax credits are a matter of legislative grace, are 
only allowed as clearly provided for by statute, and are narrowly 
construed.'' (citation omitted)); Lettie Pate Whitehead Found., Inc. v. 
U.S., 606 F.2d 534, 539 (5th Cir. 1979) (``Deductions are matters of 
legislative grace and must be narrowly construed.'' (citation 
omitted)); Chrysler Corp. v. Comm'r, 436 F.3d 644, 654 (6th Cir. 2006) 
(``While statutes imposing a tax are generally construed liberally in 
favor of the taxpayer, those granting a deduction are matters of 
legislative grace and are strictly construed in favor of the 
government.'' (citations omitted)). Section 4261(e)(5) specifically 
states that the exemption applies to ``amounts paid by an aircraft 
owner'' and makes no reference to any other entity or arrangement. The 
Treasury Department and the IRS are concerned that if the regulations 
were to treat payments for aircraft management services made on behalf 
of an aircraft owner (other than in a principal-agent scenario in which 
the aircraft owner is the principal) as being made by the aircraft 
owner itself, the regulations would effectively expand the exemption in 
a manner not authorized by Congress.
    Additionally, a qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSub) (as 
defined in section 1361(b)(3)(B)) that is generally not treated as a 
separate corporation from its S corporation owner under section 
1361(b)(3)(A), and a non-corporate, wholly-owned business entity, such 
as a SMLLC, that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner 
for Federal income tax purposes (under Sec. Sec.  301.7701-1 through 
301.7701-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations), are each 
treated as an entity separate from its owner for certain Federal excise 
tax purposes. See Sec.  1.1361-4(a)(8) of the Income Tax Regulations 
and Sec.  301.7701-2(c)(2)(v). The rules under Sec. Sec.  1.1361-
4(a)(8) and 301.7701-2(c)(2)(v) were adopted because difficulties arose 
from the interaction of the rules in section 1361(b)(3)(A) and 
Sec. Sec.  301.7701-1 through 301.7701-3 with the Federal excise tax 
rules. It would be contrary to the existing rules in Sec. Sec.  1.1361-
4(a)(8) and 301.7701-2(c)(2)(v) to treat a person or entity that is 
separate from the aircraft owner as the aircraft owner for purposes of 
the exemption from air transportation excise tax in section 4261(e)(5). 
For these reasons, the proposed regulations do not adopt the 
commenters' suggestion to provide a related-party rule.
c. Choice of Flight Rules
    The third issue for which commenters requested guidance relates to 
whether an aircraft owner's decision to operate its aircraft under 
certain parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) promulgated by 
the FAA affects the application of section 4261(e)(5). Part 91 of the 
FARs governs general aviation. However, some aircraft owners choose to 
operate their aircraft under Part 135 of the FARs (governing on-demand 
and commuter flights), which imposes additional FAA regulatory 
requirements related to operational safety and enhanced liability 
protection. Commenters suggested that the proposed regulations provide 
that if an aircraft owner elects to conduct flights on its own aircraft 
under Part 135 of the FARs (rather than under Part 91 of the FARs), 
then payments made by the aircraft owner for aircraft management 
services related to those flights qualify for the exemption provided in 
section 4261(e)(5) in the same manner as a flight conducted under Part 
91 of the FARs.
    It has long been the position of the Treasury Department and the 
IRS that rules promulgated by the FAA, including the FARs, do not 
control for Federal excise tax purposes. See Rev. Rul. 78-75 (1978-1 
C.B. 340). Further, section 4261(e)(5) makes no reference to the FARs; 
under the plain language of section 4261(e)(5), its application does 
not depend upon the FAR flight rules under which an aircraft is 
operated. The Treasury Department and the IRS agree with the 
commenters' suggestion. Accordingly, the proposed regulations provide 
that whether an aircraft owner operates its aircraft pursuant to the 
rules under FARs Part 91 or pursuant to the rules under FARs Part 135 
does not affect the application of section 4261(e)(5).
d. Charters
    The fourth issue for which commenters requested guidance relates to 
situations in which an aircraft owner permits an air charter operator 
(which may or may not be the same person as the person or persons 
providing aircraft management services to the aircraft owner) to use 
the aircraft owner's aircraft to provide charter flights. It is common 
for an aircraft owner to permit an air charter operator to use the 
aircraft owner's aircraft for a fee (in cash or in kind) when the 
aircraft would otherwise sit idle or when the aircraft is being 
repositioned and would otherwise not carry any passengers. In such 
instances, amounts paid for charter flights operated on the aircraft 
owner's aircraft are subject to air transportation excise tax, unless 
otherwise exempt from the taxes (for example, in the case of an 
aircraft used as an air ambulance dedicated to acute care emergency 
medical services under section 4261(g)(2)). See Sec.  49.4261-7(h) for 
the rules regarding the taxation of charter flights.
    The commenters suggested that the proposed regulations clarify that 
the application of section 4261(e)(5) is not affected by an aircraft 
owner permitting a charter operator to use the aircraft owner's 
aircraft for charter flights. The Treasury Department and the IRS agree 
with the commenters that, in general, the application of section 
4261(e)(5) should not be affected by an aircraft owner permitting an 
aircraft management services provider or other person to use the 
aircraft owner's aircraft for for-hire flights (such as charter 
flights, air taxi flights, and flightseeing flights). Accordingly, the 
proposed regulations provide that whether an aircraft owner permits its 
aircraft to be used for for-hire flights does not affect the 
application of section 4261(e)(5) to amounts paid by the aircraft owner 
for aircraft management services.

[[Page 46035]]

    The proposed regulations also clarify that to the extent such for-
hire flights are subject to the tax imposed by section 4261 or 4271, 
taxable fuel (as defined in section 4083(a) of the Code) or any other 
liquid taxable under section 4041(c) of the Code that is used as fuel 
on such flights is used in commercial aviation, as that term is defined 
in section 4083(b). See sections 4081(a)(2) and 4041(c) for the 
applicable fuel tax rates.
e. Payment Arrangements
    The fifth issue for which commenters requested guidance relates to 
business decisions made by a person providing aircraft management 
services regarding how to charge, invoice, or bill (referred to 
collectively herein as ``bill'' or ``billed'') aircraft owners for 
their services. An aircraft owner may be billed for aircraft management 
services in a variety of ways. For example, an aircraft owner may be 
charged a monthly fee for aircraft management services and an hourly 
fee for each hour of flight time. Alternatively, an aircraft owner may 
be billed for specific costs related to the operation of the aircraft, 
plus a mark-up to compensate the aircraft management services provider. 
In addition to these two examples, there are many other possible 
arrangements that may be used to bill an aircraft owner based on the 
particular agreement between an aircraft owner and the aircraft 
management services provider. The commenters suggested that the 
proposed regulations should clarify that the manner in which an 
aircraft owner is billed for aircraft management services should not 
control whether the exemption from air transportation excise tax 
provided in section 4261(e)(5) applies to amounts paid for those 
services.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS agree with the commenters that 
the manner in which an aircraft owner is billed for aircraft management 
services is a business decision that providers of aircraft management 
services and aircraft owners should be free to make with each other in 
order to satisfy their particular needs. Accordingly, the proposed 
regulations provide that the method or manner by which an aircraft 
owner is billed for aircraft management services does not affect 
whether the exemption from air transportation excise tax provided in 
section 4261(e)(5) applies to amounts paid for those services.
    While the proposed regulations acknowledge that the manner in which 
an aircraft owner is billed for aircraft management services is a 
business decision, the proposed regulations require both the aircraft 
owner and the aircraft management services provider to maintain 
adequate records to show that amounts paid by the aircraft owner to the 
aircraft management services provider relate to aircraft management 
services specifically for the aircraft owner's aircraft or for flights 
on the aircraft owner's aircraft.
f. Other Proposed Aircraft Management Services Rules
    The proposed regulations clarify that the exemption from air 
transportation excise tax in section 4261(e)(5) is limited to private 
aviation. Section 49.4261-10(b)(6) of the proposed regulations defines 
``private aviation'' as the use of an aircraft for civilian flights 
except scheduled passenger service. This rule is consistent with the 
Conference Report, which explicitly states that section 4261(e)(5) 
``exempts certain payments related to the management of private 
aircraft from the excise taxes imposed on taxable transportation by 
air.'' Conference Report at 536.
    The proposed regulations also clarify the application of section 
4261(e)(5)(D), which requires a pro rata allocation of the amounts paid 
for aircraft management services between services that relate to 
flights taken by an aircraft owner on the aircraft owner's aircraft and 
services that relate to flights taken by an aircraft owner on an 
aircraft that is not owned by the aircraft owner. An aircraft that is 
not owned by the aircraft owner is referred to in the proposed 
regulations as a ``substitute aircraft.'' Section 4261(e)(5)(D) limits 
the section 4261(e)(5) exemption to amounts paid for aircraft 
management services related to flights taken by an aircraft owner on 
the aircraft owner's aircraft. Therefore, the section 4261(e)(5) 
exemption does not extend to those amounts paid for aircraft management 
services that relate to flights taken by an aircraft owner on a 
substitute aircraft (that is, an aircraft not owned by the aircraft 
owner). The proposed regulations provide that the pro rata allocation 
is calculated by applying to the amount paid by the aircraft owner for 
aircraft management services the ratio of flight hours provided on 
substitute aircraft during the calendar quarter over the total flight 
hours flown by the aircraft owner on both the aircraft owner's aircraft 
and substitute aircraft during the calendar quarter. The Treasury 
Department and the IRS request comments regarding whether the proposed 
flight hour ratio allocation method is fair and practicable or whether 
a different allocation method should be required (and if so, what 
exactly such required method should be).
    In addition, the proposed regulations clarify that taxable fuel (as 
defined in section 4083(a)) or any other liquid taxable under section 
4041(c) that is used as fuel on a flight for which amounts paid are 
exempt from the taxes imposed by sections 4261 and 4271 by reason of 
section 4261(e)(5) is not fuel used in commercial aviation, as that 
term is defined in section 4083(b). See sections 4081(a)(2) and 4041(c) 
for the applicable fuel tax rates.
    Finally, the section 4043 fuel surtax applies to fuel used in 
fractional program aircraft operated under FARs Part 91K (14 CFR part 
91K) but not to fuel used on flights for which amounts paid are exempt 
by reason of section 4261(e)(5). The Treasury Department and the IRS 
are concerned that this creates an incentive for persons to operate 
flights that would otherwise be subject to the section 4043 fuel surtax 
outside of FARs Part 91K in order to avoid the surtax. In these 
instances, such persons would likely also argue that amounts paid for 
aircraft management services related to the fractional program aircraft 
are exempt from air transportation excise tax under section 4261(e)(5).
    To address this issue, the proposed regulations include an anti-
abuse rule providing that the section 4261(e)(5) exemption does not 
apply to any amount paid for aircraft management services by a 
participant in any transaction or arrangement, or through other means, 
that seeks to circumvent the surtax imposed by section 4043. In 
addition, the proposed regulations clarify that the section 4261(e)(5) 
exemption does not apply to amounts paid for aircraft management 
services related to flights on fractional program aircraft operated (or 
required to be operated) under FARs Part 91K. The proposed regulations 
also provide that if an amount paid qualifies for both the exemption 
provided in section 4261(e)(5) and the exemption provided in section 
4261(j), the section 4261(j) exemption applies to the amount paid and 
the surtax imposed by section 4043 applies to any liquid used in the 
fractional program aircraft as fuel. See sections 4261(j) and 4043. 
This provision is consistent with the Conference Report and the 
definition of ``aircraft owner'' in Sec.  49.4261-10(b)(3)(B) in the 
proposed regulations.

2. Additional Proposed Changes to the Regulations

a. Changes to Part 40
    The privilege to file consolidated returns under section 1501 
applies only to income tax returns and not to excise

[[Page 46036]]

tax returns. The proposed regulations add Sec.  40.0-1(d) to note this 
rule and also reflect the rules of Sec. Sec.  1.1361-4(a)(8) and 
301.7701-2(c)(2)(v) that treat QSubs and certain business entities as 
entities separate from their owners for Federal excise tax purposes. 
See also Revenue Ruling 2008-18 (2008-1 C.B. 674). Thus, proposed Sec.  
40.0-1(d) treats each business unit that has, or is required to have, a 
separate Employer Identification Number as a separate person. In the 
context of air transportation excise tax, this rule applies with 
respect to both the person required to pay the tax under proposed Sec.  
49.4261-1(b) and the person required to collect and pay over the tax 
under Sec.  40.6011(a)-1(a)(3) and section 4291 of the Code.
    Proposed Sec.  40.0-1(d) was originally proposed on July 29, 2008, 
in a notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-155087-05) published in the 
Federal Register (73 FR 43890), but the rules in that regulation 
project have not been finalized. Because of the length of time that has 
passed since it was originally proposed, this document withdraws 
proposed Sec.  40.0-1(d) and re-proposes the provision as part of these 
proposed regulations.
    Existing Sec.  40.6071(a)-3 provides excise tax return filing rules 
that apply only to the quarterly return required under Sec.  
40.6011(a)-1(a) for the third calendar quarter of 2001. The proposed 
regulations remove Sec.  40.6071(a)-3 in its entirety because it is 
obsolete.
b. Changes to Part 49
    The existing regulations under section 4261 have not been revised 
since 1962. The proposed regulations remove existing language relating 
to taxes on transportation by rail, motor vehicle, and water, which 
have been repealed, and otherwise update the existing regulations to 
conform to current law. The proposed regulations also remove references 
to exemptions that were repealed in 1970. More specifically, the 
proposed regulations update Sec.  49.4261-1 to reflect: (i) The 
enactment of the international travel facilities tax in 1970 (Airport 
and Airway Development Act of 1970 (AADA), Public Law 91-258, 84 Stat. 
236 (1970)); (ii) the enactment of the domestic segment tax in 1997 
(Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105-34, 111 Stat. 788 (1997)), 
and (iii) the current statutory exemptions from tax under sections 
4261(e)(5), 4261(f), 4261(g), 4261(h), 4261(j), 4281, 4282, and 4293 of 
the Code.
    Section 49.4261-1(b)(1) of the proposed regulations incorporates 
the payment and collection rules in sections 4261(d) and 4291.
    Section 49.4261-1(b)(2) of the proposed regulations reflects the 
statutory change to section 4263(c) under section 1031 of the Taxpayer 
Relief Act of 1997, and case law interpreting that revision. Under 
prior law, section 4263(c) provided that where any tax imposed by 
section 4261 was not paid at the time payment for transportation was 
made, the tax was paid by the person paying for the transportation or 
by the person using the transportation. In other words, the prior law 
placed no payment obligation on the air carrier. The current version of 
section 4263(c) provides that where any tax imposed by section 4261 is 
not paid at the time the payment for transportation is made, the air 
carrier providing the initial segment of transportation that begins and 
ends in the United States is liable for the tax. Several courts have 
rejected arguments that current section 4263(c) imposes only secondary 
liability for the applicable section 4261 tax on the air carrier if the 
tax is not otherwise collected. See Sundance Helicopters, Inc. v. U.S., 
104 Fed. Cl. 1, 11 (2012) (``The plain language of IRC [section] 
4263(c) provides that the air carrier is to pay the tax if it is not 
otherwise collected. There is no mention of primary versus secondary 
liability in the text of the statute [. . .] The language of IRC 
[section] 4263(c) clearly imposes a payment obligation on the air 
carrier.''); Temsco Helicopters, Inc. v. U.S., 409 F.App'x. 64, 67 (9th 
Cir. 2010) (``nothing in [section] 4263(c) requires that the government 
first attempt to collect the [air transportation excise tax] from the 
purchasers . . .''); Papillon Airways, Inc. v. U.S., 105 Fed. Cl. 154, 
163 (2012) (IRC 4263(c) makes ``the carrier's liability conditional on 
whether the tax was collected at the time payment for transportation 
was made, not whether the government is unsuccessful at collecting the 
tax.'' (emphasis in original)).
    Section 49.4261-1(d) of the proposed regulations generally 
incorporates the holdings of Revenue Ruling 71-126 (1971-1 C.B. 363) 
regarding the general applicability of the section 4261 taxes to the 
transportation of persons on all types of aircraft, and Revenue Ruling 
67-414 (1967-2 C.B. 382) regarding the inapplicability of the section 
4261 taxes to the transportation of persons on hovercraft.
    Section 49.4261-2 of the proposed regulations generally updates the 
existing regulations to reflect the statutory additions of the domestic 
segment tax and the international travel facilities tax to section 
4261. This section also incorporates the holdings in Revenue Ruling 72-
309 (1972-1 C.B. 348) and Revenue Ruling 2002-34 (2002-1 C.B. 1150) 
regarding the computation of the domestic segment tax and the 
international travel facilities tax.
    Section 49.4261-9(a) of the proposed regulations reflects the rule 
in section 4261(e)(3)(A) regarding the tax treatment of mileage awards. 
The Treasury Department and the IRS are currently considering whether 
to exercise their authority under section 4261(e)(3)(C) to prescribe 
rules for excluding from the tax base amounts attributable to mileage 
awards that are used other than for transportation of persons by air. 
See Notice 2015-76 (2015-46 I.R.B. 669). Nothing in these proposed 
regulations can be construed as an exercise of that authority. The 
proposed regulations reserve Sec.  49.4261-9(b) for the possible future 
exercise of the authority granted to the Secretary of the Treasury or 
his delegate under section 4261(e)(3)(C).
    The regulations under sections 4262 and 4263 also have generally 
not been revised since the 1960s. Amendments to the Code since then, 
including the repeal of the seats and berths tax, a change to the 
definition of ``uninterrupted international air transportation'' under 
section 4262(c)(3), and a change to the rules in section 4263(c), have 
rendered certain provisions in the existing regulations obsolete. The 
proposed regulations remove obsolete provisions and generally update 
the existing regulations to conform to current law.
    Section 4264 of the Code was redesignated as section 4263 in 1970 
by Title II, section 205(c)(2), of the AADA. However, the regulations 
under section 4264 were not similarly redesignated. The proposed 
regulations redesignate the current section 4264 regulations as section 
4263 regulations, remove obsolete provisions, and generally update the 
existing regulations to conform to current law.
    The proposed regulations update the rule in Sec.  49.4263-5 (which 
the proposed regulations redesignate as Sec.  49.4281-1) relating to 
small aircraft on nonestablished lines to reflect statutory changes to 
the exemption. Specifically, the current regulation provides, in 
relevant part, that amounts paid to transport a person on a small 
aircraft are ``exempt from the tax imposed under section 4261 provided 
the aircraft: (1) Has a gross take-off weight of less than 12,500 
pounds [. . .] and (2) has a passenger seating capacity of less than 10 
adult passengers, including the pilot.'' In 1970, the permissible 
aircraft weight to qualify for the exemption for

[[Page 46037]]

small aircraft on nonestablished lines was reduced to a maximum 
certificated take-off weight of 6,000 pounds or less and the maximum 
passenger seating capacity rule was eliminated. AADA, Title II, section 
205(a)(1). In 2005, Congress amended section 4281 to clarify that 
flights for which the sole purpose is sightseeing are not considered to 
be operated on an established line. Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, Public Law 
109-59, section 11124(a), 119 Stat 1144 (2005). In 2012, Congress 
amended section 4281 to exclude jet aircraft from the exemption. FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Public Law 112-95, section 
1107(a), 126 Stat 11 (2012). The proposed regulations incorporate the 
changes to the exemption for small aircraft on nonestablished lines as 
described above.
    Section 4282 provides an exemption from the taxes imposed by 
section 4261 and 4271 for certain transportation by air for members of 
an affiliated group. The Treasury Department and the IRS have not 
issued regulations regarding this provision. The proposed regulations 
reserve Sec.  49.4282-1 for future rules regarding the affiliated group 
exemption under section 4282.
    The updates to part 49 in these proposed regulations are not 
comprehensive and do not fully update every provision and example that 
require modernization. The updates are intended to address only the 
most straightforward and well-settled issues; they are not intended to 
introduce new rules or address issues that may require a more nuanced 
approach. The Treasury Department and the IRS believe that these 
updates will help reduce the burden on taxpayers, collectors, and 
revenue agents by providing much needed basic updates to the part 49 
regulations.

Effect on Other Documents

    Revenue Ruling 67-414 (1967-2 C.B. 382), Revenue Ruling 72-309 
(1972-1 C.B. 348), and Revenue Ruling 2002-34 (2002-1 C.B. 1150) will 
be obsoleted on the date these regulations are published as final 
regulations in the Federal Register.

Partial Withdrawal of Proposed Regulations

    Under the authority of 26 U.S.C. 7805, Sec.  40.0-1(d) of the 
notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-155087-05) published in the Federal 
Register on July 29, 2008 (73 FR 43890) is withdrawn.

Proposed Applicability Date

    The regulations, other than Sec.  40.0-1(d), generally are proposed 
to apply on and after the later of the date of publication of a 
Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the 
Federal Register or January 1, 2021. Section 40.0-1(d) of the 
regulations is proposed to apply on and after the date of publication 
of a Treasury decision adopting these rules as final regulations in the 
Federal Register.

Special Analyses

    This regulation is not subject to review under section 6(b) of 
Executive Order 12866 pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement (April 
11, 2018) between the Department of the Treasury and the Office of 
Management and Budget regarding review of tax regulations.
    Because the regulation does not impose a collection of information 
on small entities a Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) 
analysis is not required.
    Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code these regulations have been 
submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on their impact on small business.

Statement of Availability of IRS Documents

    IRS Revenue Procedures, Revenue Rulings, Notices and other guidance 
cited in this document are published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin 
and are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Publishing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or by visiting the IRS website 
at http://www.irs.gov.

Comments and Requests for a Public Hearing

    Before these proposed amendments to the regulations are adopted as 
final regulations, consideration will be given to comments that are 
submitted timely to the IRS as prescribed in the preamble under the 
ADDRESSES section. The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments 
on all aspects of the proposed regulations. Any electronic comments 
submitted, and to the extent practicable any paper comments submitted, 
will be made available at www.regulations.gov or upon request.
    A public hearing will be scheduled if requested in writing by any 
person who timely submits electronic or written comments. Requests for 
a public hearing are also encouraged to be made electronically. If a 
public hearing is scheduled, notice of the date and time for the public 
hearing will be published in the Federal Register. Announcement 2020-4 
(2020-17 I.R.B. 1) provides that until further notice, public hearings 
conducted by the IRS will be held telephonically. Any telephonic 
hearing will be made accessible to people with disabilities.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are Michael H. Beker and 
Rachel S. Smith, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Passthroughs 
and Special Industries). However, other personnel from the Treasury 
Department and the IRS participated in their development.

List of Subjects

26 CFR Part 40

    Excise taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

26 CFR Part 49

    Excise taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telephone, 
Transportation.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR parts 40 and 49 are proposed to be amended as 
follows:

PART 40--EXCISE TAX PROCEDURAL REGULATIONS

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 40 is amended by removing 
the entry for Sec.  40.6071(a)-3 to read in part as follows:

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

0
Par. 2. Section 40.0-1 is amended by redesignating paragraph (d) as 
paragraph (e), adding a new paragraph (d), and revising newly 
redesignated paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  40.0-1  Introduction.

* * * * *
    (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 date--(1) Paragraphs (a), (b), and (c). 
Paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section apply to returns that 
relate to periods beginning after March 31, 2013. For rules that apply 
before that date, see 26 CFR part 40, revised as of April 1, 2013.

[[Page 46038]]

    (2) Paragraph (d). Paragraph (d) of this section applies to returns 
that relate to periods beginning on or after [date these regulations 
are published as final regulations in the Federal Register]. For rules 
that apply before that date, see 26 CFR part 40, revised as of April 1, 
2020.


Sec.  40.6071(a)-3  [Removed]

0
Par. 3. Section 40.6071(a)-3 is removed.

PART 49--FACILITIES AND SERVICES EXCISE TAX REGULATIONS

0
Par. 4. The authority citation for part 49 continues to read in part as 
follows:

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

0
Par. 5. Section 49.4261-1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  49.4261-1  Imposition of tax; in general.

    (a) In general. Section 4261 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) 
imposes three separate taxes on amounts paid for certain transportation 
of persons by air. Tax attaches at the time of payment for any 
transportation taxable under section 4261. The applicability of each 
section 4261 tax is generally determined on a flight-by-flight basis.
    (1) Percentage tax. Section 4261(a) imposes a 7.5 percent tax on 
the amount paid for the taxable transportation of any person. See 
section 4262(a) of the Code and Sec.  49.4262-1(a) for the definition 
of the term taxable transportation.
    (2) Domestic segment tax. Section 4261(b)(1) imposes a $3 tax 
(indexed annually for inflation pursuant to section 4261(e)(4)) on the 
amount paid for each domestic segment of taxable transportation. See 
section 4261(b)(2) for the definition of the term domestic segment. The 
domestic segment tax does not apply to a domestic segment beginning or 
ending at an airport that is a rural airport for the calendar year in 
which the segment begins or ends (as the case may be). See section 
4261(e)(1)(B) for the definition of the term rural airport.
    (3) International travel facilities tax. Section 4261(c) imposes a 
$12 tax (indexed annually for inflation pursuant to section 4261(e)(4)) 
on any amount paid (whether within or without the United States) for 
any transportation by air that begins or ends in the United States. The 
international travel facilities tax does not apply to any 
transportation that is entirely taxable under section 4261(a) 
(determined without regard to sections 4281 and 4282). See section 
4261(c)(2). A special rule applies to Alaska and Hawaii flights. See 
section 4261(c)(3).
    (b) Payment and collection obligations--(1) In general. The taxes 
imposed by section 4261 are collected taxes. In general, the person 
making the payment subject to tax is the taxpayer. See section 4261(d). 
The person receiving the payment is the collector (also commonly 
referred to as the collecting agent). See section 4291 of the Code. The 
collector must collect the applicable tax from the taxpayer, report the 
tax on Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, and remit the tax 
to the Internal Revenue Service. See sections 4291, 6011, and 7501 of 
the Code. See Sec.  40.6011(a)-1 of this chapter and Sec.  49.4291-1. 
The collector must also make semimonthly deposits of the taxes imposed 
by section 4261. See section 6302(e) of the Code. See Sec. Sec.  40.0-
1(c), 40.6302(c)-1, and 40.6302(c)-3 of this chapter. See section 
4263(a) and (c) of the Code for special rules relating to the payment 
and collection of tax.
    (2) Failure to collect tax. Where any tax imposed by section 4261 
is not paid at the time payment for transportation is made, then, to 
the extent the tax is not collected under any other provision of 
subchapter C of chapter 33 of the Code, the tax must be paid by the 
carrier providing the initial segment of transportation that begins or 
ends in the United States. See section 4263(c). In other words, if an 
amount paid for transportation is subject to tax under section 4261 and 
the applicable tax is not collected at the time the payment is made, 
the carrier providing the initial segment of transportation that begins 
or ends in the United States is liable for the tax. See section 6672 of 
the Code for rules relating to the application of the trust fund 
recovery penalty.
    (c) Type of aircraft. The taxes imposed by section 4261 generally 
apply regardless of the type of aircraft on which the transportation is 
provided, provided all of the other conditions for liability are 
present and no specific statutory exemption applies. See paragraph (f) 
of this section for a list of statutory exemptions from tax. Amounts 
paid for the transportation of persons by air cushion vehicles, also 
known as hovercraft, are not subject to the taxes imposed by section 
4261.
    (d) Purpose of transportation. The purpose of the transportation 
(for example, business or pleasure) is not a factor in determining 
taxability under section 4261.
    (e) Routes. Amounts paid for transportation may be taxable even if 
the transportation is not between two definite points. Unless otherwise 
exempt, a payment for continuous transportation that begins and ends at 
the same point is subject to tax. See section 4281 of the Code and 
Sec.  49.4282-1 for the exemption for small aircraft on nonestablished 
lines.
    (f) Exemptions from tax; cross-references--(1) Aircraft management 
services. For the exemption for certain aircraft management services, 
see section 4261(e)(5) of the Code and Sec.  49.4261-10.
    (2) Hard minerals, oil, and gas. For the exemption for certain uses 
related to the exploration, development, or removal of hard minerals, 
oil, or gas, see section 4261(f)(1).
    (3) Trees and logging operations. For the exemption for certain 
uses related to trees and logging operations, see section 4261(f)(2).
    (4) Air ambulances. For the exemption for air ambulances providing 
certain emergency medical transportation, see section 4261(g).
    (5) Skydiving. For the exemption for certain skydiving uses, see 
section 4261(h).
    (6) Seaplanes. For the exemption for certain seaplane segments, see 
section 4261(i).
    (7) Fractionally-owned aircraft. For the exemption for certain 
aircraft in fractional ownership aircraft programs, see section 
4261(j).
    (8) Small aircraft on nonestablished lines. For the exemption for 
certain small aircraft on nonestablished lines, see section 4281 of the 
Code and Sec.  49.4281-1.
    (9) Affiliated groups. For the exemption for certain transportation 
of members of an affiliated group, see section 4282.
    (10) United States and territories. For exemptions authorized by 
the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate for the exclusive use of 
the United States, see section 4293.
    (g) Applicability date. This section applies on and after the later 
of [date these regulations are published as final regulations in the 
Federal Register] or January 1, 2021. For rules that apply before that 
date, see 26 CFR part 49, revised as of April 1, 2020.
0
Par. 6. Section 49.4261-2 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (a) and (b).
0
2. Adding paragraph (d).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  49.4261-2  Application of tax.

    (a) Tax on total amount paid. The tax imposed by section 4261(a) of 
the Internal Revenue Code (Code) is measured by the total amount paid 
for taxable transportation, whether paid in cash or in kind.
    (b) Tax on transportation of each person. The taxes imposed by 
section

[[Page 46039]]

4261(b) and (c) of the Code are head taxes and, therefore, apply on a 
per-passenger basis. The taxes apply to each passenger for whom an 
amount is paid, regardless of whether the payment is made as a single 
lump sum or is made individually for each passenger. In the case of 
charter flights for which a fixed amount is paid, the section 4261(b) 
and (c) taxes are computed by multiplying the applicable rate of tax by 
the number of passengers transported on the aircraft.
* * * * *
    (d) Applicability date. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section 
apply on and after the later of [date these regulations are published 
as final regulations in the Federal Register] or January 1, 2021. For 
rules that apply before that date, see 26 CFR part 49, revised as of 
April 1, 2020.
0
Par. 7. Section 49.4261-3 is amended by:
0
1. Removing ``Sec.  49.4262(c)-1'' wherever it appears and adding 
``Sec.  49.4262-3'' in its place.
0
2. In the first sentence of paragraph (a), removing ``The tax imposed 
by section 4261(a)'' and adding ``The taxes imposed by section 4261(a) 
and (b) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code)'' in its place.
0
3. In the second sentence of paragraph (a), adding ``under section 
4261(a) and (b)'' at the end of the sentence.
0
4. Removing (b) introductory text and (b)(1) and redesignating 
paragraph (b)(2) as paragraph (b).
0
5. Revising newly redesignated paragraph (b).
0
6. Revising paragraph (c).
0
7. In paragraph (d), removing ``section 4262(b) and Sec.  49.4262(b)-
1'' and adding ``section 4262(b) of the Code and Sec.  49.4262-2'' in 
its place.
0
8. Adding paragraph (e).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  49.4261-3  Payments made within the United States.

* * * * *
    (b) Other transportation. In the case of transportation, other than 
that described in paragraph (a) of this section, for which payment is 
made in the United States, the taxes imposed by section 4261(a) and (b) 
apply with respect to the amount paid for that portion of such 
transportation by air which is directly or indirectly from one port or 
station in the United States to another port or station in the United 
States, but only if such portion is not a part of uninterrupted 
international air transportation within the meaning of section 
4262(c)(3) of the Code and Sec.  49.4262-3(c). Transportation that:
    (1) Begins in the United States or the 225-mile zone and ends 
outside such area,
    (2) Begins outside the United States or the 225-mile zone and ends 
inside such area, or
    (3) Begins outside the United States and ends outside such area, is 
taxable only with respect to such portion of the transportation by air 
which is directly or indirectly from one port or station in the United 
States to another port or station in the United States, but only if 
such portion is not a part of ``uninterrupted international air 
transportation'' within the meaning of section 4262(c)(3) and Sec.  
49.4262-3(c). Thus, on a trip by air from Chicago to London, England, 
with a stopover at New York, for which payment is made in the United 
States, if the portion from Chicago to New York is not a part of 
``uninterrupted international air transportation'' within the meaning 
of section 4262(c)(3) and Sec.  49.4262-3(c), the taxes would apply to 
the part of the payment which is applicable to the transportation from 
Chicago to New York. However, if the portion from Chicago to New York 
is a part of ``uninterrupted international air transportation'' within 
the meaning of section 4262(c)(3) and Sec.  49.4262-3(c), the taxes 
would not apply.
    (c) Method of computing tax on taxable portion. Where a payment is 
made for transportation which is partially taxable under paragraph (b) 
of this section, the tax imposed by section 4261(a) may be computed on 
that proportion of the total amount paid which the mileage of the 
taxable portion of the transportation bears to the mileage of the 
entire trip.
* * * * *
    (e) Applicability date. This section applies on and after the later 
of [the date these regulations are published as final regulations in 
the Federal Register] or January 1, 2021. For rules that apply before 
that date, see 26 CFR part 49, revised as of April 1, 2020.


Sec.  49.4261-4  [Amended]

0
Par. 8. Section 49.4261-4 is amended by:
0
1. In paragraph (a), removing the first ``4261(a)'' and add ``4261 of 
the Internal Revenue Code (Code)'' in its place.
0
2. In paragraph (a), removing ``section 4261(a) (see section 4264(d))'' 
and adding ``section 4261 (see section 4263(d) of the Code)'' in its 
place.
0
3. In paragraph (b), removing ``Sec.  49.4262(c)-1'' and adding ``Sec.  
49.4262-3'' in its place.
0
4. In the first sentence of paragraph (d), removing ``Sec.  49.4262(c)-
1'' and adding ``Sec.  49.4262-3'' in its place.
0
5. In the first sentence of paragraph (d), removing ``six-hour'' and 
adding ``12-hour'' in its place.


Sec.  49.4261-5  [Amended]

0
Par. 9. Section 49.4261-5 is amended as follows:
0
1. In paragraph (a), remove ``4261(b)'' wherever it appears and add 
``4261(a) and (b)'' in its place.
0
2. In paragraph (c), remove ``Sec.  49.4262(b)-1'' and add ``Sec.  
49.4262-2'' in its place.
0
Par. 10. Section 49.4261-7 is amended by:
0
1. In the introductory paragraph, removing ``4263, 4292, 4293, or 
4294'' and adding ``4261, 4281, 4282 or 4293 of the Internal Revenue 
Code'' in its place.
0
2. Removing and reserving paragraphs (b), (d), (e), and (g).
0
3. Revising paragraph (h).
0
4. In paragraph (i), remove ``paragraph (c) of Sec.  49.4261-2 and 
paragraph (f)(4) of Sec.  49.4261-8'' and add ``Sec. Sec.  49.4261-2(c) 
and 49.4261-8(f)(4)'' in its place.
0
5. Adding paragraph (k).
    The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  49.4261-7  Examples of payments subject to tax.

* * * * *
    (h) Aircraft charters--(1) When no charge is made by the charterer 
of an aircraft to the persons transported, the amount paid by the 
charterer for the charter of the aircraft is subject to tax.
    (2) The charterer of an aircraft who sells transportation to other 
persons must collect and account for the tax with respect to all 
amounts paid to the charterer by such other persons. In such case, no 
tax will be due on the amount paid by the charterer for the charter of 
the aircraft but it shall be the duty of the owner of the aircraft to 
advise the charterer of the charterer's obligation for collecting, 
accounting for, and paying over the tax to the Internal Revenue 
Service.
* * * * *
    (k) Applicability date. Paragraph (h) of this section applies on 
and after the later of [the date these regulations are published as 
final regulations in the Federal Register] or January 1, 2021. For 
rules that apply before that date, see 26 CFR part 49, revised as of 
April 1, 2020.


Sec.  49.4261-8  [Amended]

0
Par. 11. Section 49.4261-8 is amended as follows:
0
1. In the introductory paragraph, remove ``4263, 4292, 4293, or 4294'' 
and add ``4261, 4281, 4282 or 4293 of the Internal Revenue Code'' in 
its place.
0
2. Paragraphs (f)(2), (3), and (5) are removed and reserved.

[[Page 46040]]

0
Par. 12. Section 49.4261-9 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  49.4261-9  Mileage awards.

    (a) Tax imposed. Any amount paid (and the value of any other 
benefit provided) to an air carrier (or any related person) for the 
right to provide mileage awards for or other reductions in the cost of 
any transportation of persons by air is an amount paid for taxable 
transportation and is therefore subject to the tax imposed by section 
4261(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. See section 4261(e)(3)(A).
    (b) [Reserved]
    (c) Applicability date. This section applies on and after the later 
of [date these regulations are published as final regulations in the 
Federal Register] or January 1, 2021.
0
Par. 13. Section 49.4261-10 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  49.4261-10  Aircraft management services.

    (a) In general--(1) Overview. This section prescribes rules 
relating to the exemption from tax for amounts paid (in cash or in 
kind) by an aircraft owner to an aircraft management services provider 
for certain aircraft management services. Pursuant to section 
4261(e)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), the taxes imposed by 
sections 4261 and 4271 of the Code do not apply to amounts paid by an 
aircraft owner to an aircraft management services provider for aircraft 
management services related to maintenance and support of the aircraft 
owner's aircraft; or related to flights (flight services) on the 
aircraft owner's aircraft. The exemption in section 4261(e)(5) applies 
to amounts paid by an aircraft owner to an aircraft management services 
provider for flight services on the aircraft owner's aircraft, even if 
the aircraft owner is not on the flight. The exemption in section 
4261(e)(5) does not apply to amounts paid to an aircraft management 
services provider on behalf of an aircraft owner (other than in a 
principal-agent scenario in which the aircraft owner is the principal). 
For example, amounts paid for aircraft management services by one 
member of an affiliated group (as that term is defined in section 4282 
of the Code) for flights on an aircraft owned by another member of the 
affiliated group are not treated as amounts paid by the aircraft owner. 
See paragraph (b) of this section for definitions of terms used in this 
section.
    (2) Private aviation. The exemption in section 4261(e)(5) is 
limited to aircraft management services related to aircraft used in 
private aviation.
    (3) Adequate records required. In order to qualify for the 
exemption in section 4261(e)(5), an aircraft owner and aircraft 
management services provider must maintain adequate records to show 
that the amounts paid by the aircraft owner to the aircraft management 
services provider relate to aircraft management services specifically 
for the aircraft owner's aircraft or for flights on the aircraft 
owner's aircraft.
    (b) Definitions. This paragraph provides definitions applicable to 
this section.
    (1) Aircraft management services. The term aircraft management 
services means--
    (i) Statutory services. The services listed in section 
4261(e)(5)(B); and
    (ii) Other services. Any service (including, but not limited to, 
purchasing fuel, purchasing aircraft parts, and arranging for the 
fueling of an aircraft owner's aircraft) provided directly or 
indirectly by an aircraft management services provider to an aircraft 
owner, that is necessary to keep the aircraft owner's aircraft in an 
airworthy state or to provide air transportation to the aircraft owner 
on the aircraft owner's aircraft at a level and quality of service 
required under the agreement between the aircraft owner and the 
aircraft management services provider.
    (2) Aircraft management services provider. The term aircraft 
management services provider means a person that provides aircraft 
management services, as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, to 
an aircraft owner, as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (3) Aircraft owner--(i) In general. The term aircraft owner means 
an individual or entity that leases or owns (that is, holds title to or 
substantial incidents of ownership in) an aircraft managed by an 
aircraft management services provider (commonly referred to as a 
managed aircraft). The term aircraft owner does not include a lessee of 
an aircraft under a disqualified lease, as defined in paragraph (b)(4) 
of this section. A person that owns stock in a commercial airline does 
not qualify as an aircraft owner of that commercial airline's aircraft.
    (ii) Fractional aircraft ownership and similar arrangements. A 
participant in a fractional aircraft ownership program, as defined in 
section 4043(c)(2) of the Code, does not qualify as an aircraft owner 
of the program's managed aircraft if the amount paid for such person's 
participation is exempt from the taxes imposed by sections 4261 and 
4271 by reason of section 4261(j). Similarly, a participant in a 
business arrangement seeking to circumvent the surtax imposed by 
section 4043 by operating outside of subpart K of 14 CFR part 91, that 
allows an aircraft owner the right to use any of a fleet of aircraft 
(through an aircraft interchange agreement, through holding nominal 
shares in a fleet of aircraft, or any other similar arrangement), is 
not an aircraft owner with respect to any of the aircraft owned or 
leased as part of that business arrangement.
    (4) Disqualified lease. The term disqualified lease has the meaning 
given to it by section 4261(e)(5)(C)(ii). A disqualified lease also 
includes any arrangement that seeks to circumvent the rule in section 
4261(e)(5)(C)(ii) by providing a lease term that is greater than 31 
days but does not provide the lessee with exclusive and uninterrupted 
access and use of the leased aircraft, as identified by the aircraft's 
airframe serial number and tail number. For purposes of the preceding 
sentence, the fact that a lease permits the lessee to use the aircraft 
for for-hire flights, as defined in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, 
when the lessee is otherwise not using the aircraft does not, because 
of this fact alone, cause a lease with a term that is greater than 31 
days to be a disqualified lease.
    (5) For-hire flight. The term for-hire flight means the use of an 
aircraft to transport passengers for compensation that is paid in cash 
or in kind. The term includes, but is not limited to, charter flights, 
air taxi flights, and sightseeing flights (commonly referred to as 
flightseeing flights).
    (6) Private aviation. The term private aviation means the use of an 
aircraft for civilian flights except scheduled passenger service.
    (7) Substitute aircraft. The term substitute aircraft means an 
aircraft, other than the aircraft owner's aircraft, that is provided by 
an aircraft management services provider to the aircraft owner when the 
aircraft owner's aircraft is not available, regardless of the reason 
for the unavailability.
    (c) Substitute Aircraft--(1) Allocation required. If an aircraft 
management services provider provides flight services to an aircraft 
owner on a substitute aircraft during a calendar quarter, the taxes 
imposed by section 4261 (including the taxes imposed by section 4261(b) 
or (c), as appropriate, on each passenger transported) or 4271, as the 
case may be, apply to that portion of the amounts paid by the aircraft 
owner to the aircraft management services provider, determined on a pro 
rata basis, as described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, that are 
related to the flight services provided on the substitute aircraft.

[[Page 46041]]

    (2) How calculated. The allocation described in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section is calculated by applying to the total amount paid by an 
aircraft owner to an aircraft management services provider during the 
calendar quarter the ratio of--
    (i) Substitute aircraft hours. The total flight hours provided on 
substitute aircraft during the calendar quarter; over
    (ii) Total hours. The sum of--
    (A) The total flight hours made on the aircraft owner's aircraft 
during the calendar quarter; and
    (B) The total flight hours provided to the aircraft owner on 
substitute aircraft during the calendar quarter.
    (d) Choice of flight rules. Whether a flight on an aircraft owner's 
aircraft operates pursuant to the rules under Federal Aviation 
Regulations prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FARs) 
Part 91 (14 CFR part 91) or pursuant to the rules under FARs Part 135 
(14 CFR part 135) does not affect the application of section 
4261(e)(5).
    (e) Aircraft available for hire--(1) In general. Whether an 
aircraft owner permits an aircraft management services provider or 
other person to use its aircraft to provide for-hire flights (for 
example, when the aircraft is not being used by the aircraft owner or 
when the aircraft is being moved in deadhead service) does not affect 
the application of section 4261(e)(5). However, an amount paid for for-
hire flights on the aircraft owner's aircraft does not qualify for the 
section 4261(e)(5) exemption. Therefore, an amount paid for a for-hire 
flight on an aircraft owner's aircraft is subject to the tax imposed by 
section 4261 or 4271, as the case may be, unless the amount paid is 
otherwise exempt from the tax imposed by section 4261 or 4271 other 
than by reason of section 4261(e)(5). See Sec.  49.4261-7(h) for rules 
relating to the application of the tax imposed by section 4261 on 
amounts paid for charter flights.
    (2) Fuel used on for-hire flights. To the extent amounts paid for 
for-hire flights are subject to the tax imposed by section 4261 or 
4271, taxable fuel (as defined in section 4083(a) of the Code) or any 
liquid taxable under section 4041(c) of the Code that is used as fuel 
on such flights is used in commercial aviation, as that term is defined 
in section 4083(b). See sections 4081(a)(2) and 4041(c) for the 
applicable fuel tax rates.
    (f) Billing methods. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section (relating to adequate records), the method an aircraft 
management services provider bills, invoices, or otherwise charges an 
aircraft owner for aircraft management services, whether by specific 
itemization of costs, flat monthly or hourly fee, or otherwise, does 
not affect the application section 4261(e)(5).
    (g) Coordination with fuel tax provisions. Taxable fuel (as defined 
in section 4083(a)) or any liquid taxable under section 4041(c) that is 
used as fuel on a flight for which amounts paid are exempt from the 
taxes imposed by sections 4261 and 4271 by reason of section 4261(e)(5) 
is not fuel used in commercial aviation, as that term is defined in 
section 4083(b). See sections 4081(a)(2) and 4041(c) for the applicable 
fuel tax rates.
    (h) Multiple aircraft management services providers not 
disqualifying. Whether an aircraft owner pays amounts to more than one 
aircraft management services provider for aircraft management services 
does not affect the application of section 4261(e)(5).
    (i) Coordination with exemption for aircraft in fractional 
ownership aircraft programs and fuel surtax; no choice of exemption; 
anti-abuse rule. The exemption in section 4261(e)(5) does not apply to 
any amount paid for aircraft management services by a participant in 
any transaction or arrangement, or through other means, that seeks to 
circumvent the surtax imposed by section 4043. Further, the exemption 
in section 4261(e)(5) does not apply to any amounts paid for aircraft 
management services related to flights that are (or are required to be) 
operated under FARs Part 91K (14 CFR part 91K). As a result, if an 
amount paid qualifies for both the exemption provided in section 
4261(e)(5) and the exemption provided in section 4261(j), the exemption 
provided in section 4261(j) applies to the amount paid and the surtax 
imposed by section 4043 applies to any liquid used in the managed 
aircraft as fuel. See sections 4261(j) and 4043.
    (j) Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of 
this section.
    (1) Example 1--(i) Facts. An aircraft owner, which is organized as 
corporation under state law, pays a monthly fee of $1,000 to an 
aircraft management services provider for the provision of a pilot for 
flights on the aircraft owner's aircraft to transport employees of the 
aircraft owner's business to business meetings. The flights constitute 
taxable transportation, as that term is defined in section 4262(a), and 
no exemptions (other than section 4261(e)(5)) apply. During the first 
calendar quarter of 2020, the pilot provides 200 flight hours of 
service on the aircraft owner's aircraft and 50 hours of service on a 
substitute aircraft.
    (ii) Analysis. The tax imposed by section 4261(a) applies on a pro 
rata basis to the pilot's flight hours on a substitute aircraft. The 
allocation is calculated by applying to the $3,000 total amount paid (3 
months x $1,000 monthly fee) by the aircraft owner to the aircraft 
management services provider during the calendar quarter the ratio of: 
50 (the total pilot flight hours provided on substitute aircraft during 
the calendar quarter) over 250 (the sum of the total pilot flight hours 
on the aircraft owner's aircraft during the calendar quarter and the 
total pilot flight hours provided on substitute aircraft during the 
calendar quarter). The computation is as follows: $3,000 x (50/250) = 
$600 (amount subject to tax). The portion of the amount paid that is 
exempt from the section 4261 taxes by application of section 4261(e)(5) 
is $2,400. The portion of the amount paid that is subject to the tax 
imposed by section 4261(a) is $600. The tax imposed by section 4261(b) 
also applies to amounts paid for flights on substitute aircraft on a 
per-passenger basis. See Sec.  49.4261-2(b) for rules regarding the 
application of the tax imposed by section 4261(b).
    (2) Example 2--(i) Facts. An aircraft owner pays a monthly fee to 
an aircraft management services provider for aircraft management 
services related to the aircraft owner's aircraft. When the aircraft is 
not being used by the owner, the owner sometimes permits a charter 
company to use the aircraft for charter flights. At other times when 
the aircraft is not being used by the owner, the owner permits a tour 
operator to use the aircraft for flightseeing tours. All charter and 
flightseeing flights on the aircraft constitute taxable transportation, 
as that term is defined in section 4262(a), and no exemptions (other 
than section 4261(e)(5)) apply. The aircraft's maximum certificated 
takeoff weight is 7,000 pounds and the aircraft uses kerosene as fuel.
    (ii) Analysis. Amounts paid by the aircraft owner to the aircraft 
management services provider for aircraft management services related 
to the aircraft owner's own aircraft are exempt under section 
4261(e)(5). Amounts paid by the charterer or passengers for the charter 
flights are subject to tax under section 4261(a) and (b). See Sec.  
49.4261-7(h) for rules relating to the application of the tax imposed 
by section 4261 on amounts paid for charter flights. See Sec.  49.4261-
2(b) for rules regarding the application of the tax imposed by section 
4261(b). Amounts paid by flightseeing customers for flightseeing tours 
are also subject to tax under section 4261(a) and (b). If a payment for 
a flightseeing tour includes

[[Page 46042]]

charges for nontransportation services, the charges for the 
nontransportation services may be excluded in computing the tax payable 
provided the payments are separable and provided in exact amounts. See 
Sec.  49.4261-2(c). The kerosene used as fuel on the charter flights 
and the flightseeing flights is subject to the tax imposed by section 
4081(a) at the commercial rate.
    (k) Applicability date. This section applies on and after the later 
of [date these regulations are published as final regulations in the 
Federal Register] or January 1, 2021.


Sec.  49.4262(a)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 14. Section 49.4262(a)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4262-1.
0
Par. 15. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4262-1 is amended by:
0
1. In paragraph (a) introductory text, removing ``section 4262(b) (see 
Sec.  49.4262(b)-1)'' and adding ``section 4262(b) of the Internal 
Revenue Code (Code) (see Sec.  49.4262-2)'' in its place.
0
2. In the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1), removing 
``Transportation'' and adding ``Transportation by air'' in its place.
0
3. In the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1), removing ``(the ``225-
mile zone'')'' and adding ``(225-mile zone)'' in its place.
0
4. Revising paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(2).
0
5. In paragraph (b), removing ``subparagraphs (1) and (5) of this 
paragraph'' and adding ``paragraph (b)(1) and (5) of this section'' in 
its place.
0
6. In paragraph (b), removing ``subject to the tax'' and adding 
``subject to the taxes imposed by section 4261(a) and (b)'' in its 
place.
0
7. Removing and reserving paragraph (c).
0
8. Revising introductory paragraph (d); designating Example (1) as 
paragraph (d)(1) and revising new paragraph (d)(1) Example 1.
0
9. In paragraph (d), designating Example (2) as (d)(2) and removing and 
reserving newly designated paragraph (d)(2) Example 2.
0
10. In paragraph (d), designating Example (3) as paragraph (d)(3) and 
removing ``6 hours'' wherever it appears and adding ``12 hours'' in its 
place and also removing ``subject to tax'' wherever it appears and 
adding ``subject to the taxes imposed by section 4261(a) and (b)'' in 
its place.
0
11. In paragraph (d), designating Example (4) as paragraph (d)(4), and 
removing ``six hours'' wherever it appears and adding ``12 hours'' in 
its place and also removing ``subject to tax'' wherever it appears and 
adding ``subject to the taxes imposed by section 4261(a) and (b)'' in 
its place.
0
12. Revising paragraph (e).
0
13. Adding paragraph (f).
    The revisions and addition read as follows:


Sec.  49.4262-1  Taxable transportation.

    (a) * * *
    (2) In the case of any other transportation by air, that portion of 
such transportation that is directly or indirectly from one port or 
station in the United States to another port or station in the United 
States, but only if such transportation is not part of uninterrupted 
international air transportation within the meaning of section 
4262(c)(3) of the Code and Sec.  49.4262-3(c). Transportation from one 
port or station in the United States occurs whenever a carrier, after 
leaving any port or station in the United States, makes a regularly 
scheduled stop at another port or station in the United States 
irrespective of whether stopovers are permitted or whether passengers 
disembark.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) New York to Vancouver, Canada, with a stop at Toronto, Canada;
* * * * *
    (d) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
section 4262(a)(2) and the taxes imposed by section 4261(a) and (b) of 
the Code:
    (1) Example (i). A purchases in New York a ticket for air 
transportation from New York to Nassau, Bahamas, with a scheduled 
stopover of 14 hours in Miami. The part of the transportation from New 
York to Miami is taxable transportation as defined in section 4262(a) 
because such transportation is from one station in the United States to 
another station in the United States and the trip is not uninterrupted 
international air transportation (because the scheduled stopover 
interval in Miami is greater than 12 hours). Therefore, the amount paid 
for the transportation from New York to Miami is subject to the taxes 
imposed by section 4261(a) and (b).
* * * * *
    (e) Examples of transportation that is not taxable transportation. 
The following examples illustrate transportation that is not taxable 
transportation:
    (1) New York to Trinidad with no intervening stops;
    (2) Minneapolis to Edmonton, Canada, with a stop at Winnipeg, 
Canada;
    (3) Los Angeles to Mexico City, Mexico, with stops at Tijuana and 
Guadalajara, Mexico;
    (4) New York to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, by air with a 
scheduled stopover in Chicago of five hours. Amounts paid for the 
transportation referred to in examples set forth in paragraphs (e)(1), 
(2), and (3) of this section are not subject to the tax regardless of 
where payment is made, since none of the trips:
    (i) Begin in the United States or in the 225-mile zone and end in 
the United States or in the 225-mile zone, nor
    (ii) Contain a portion of transportation which is directly or 
indirectly from one port or station in the United States to another 
port or station in the United States. The amount paid within the United 
States for the transportation referred to in the example set forth in 
paragraph (4) of this section is not subject to tax since the entire 
trip (including the domestic portion thereof) is ``uninterrupted 
international air transportation'' within the meaning of section 
4262(c)(3) and paragraph (c) of Sec.  49.4262-3. In the event the 
transportation is paid for outside the United States, no tax is due 
since the transportation does not begin and end in the United States.
* * * * *
    (f) Applicability date. This section applies on and after the later 
of [date these regulations are published as final regulations in the 
Federal Register] or January 1, 2021. For rules that apply before that 
date, see 26 CFR part 49, revised as of April 1, 2020.


Sec.  49.4262(b)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 16. Section 49.4262(b)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4262-2.


Sec.  49.4262-2  [Amended]

0
Par. 17. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4262-2 is amended as follows:
0
1. In paragraph (a), ``section 4262(b)'' is removed and ``section 
4262(b) of the Internal Revenue Code'' is added in its place.
0
2. In paragraph (b)(2), Example (2) is removed and reserved.
0
3. Revise paragraph (d). ``Illustration'' and add ``Example'' in its 
place.
    The revisions and additions reads as follows:


Sec.  49.4262-2  Exclusion of certain travel.

* * * * *
    (d) Example. The application of paragraph (c) of this section may 
be illustrated by the following example: A purchases in San Francisco a 
ticket for transportation by air to Honolulu, Hawaii. The portion of 
the transportation which is outside the continental United States and 
is outside Hawaii is excluded from taxable transportation. The tax 
applies to that

[[Page 46043]]

part of the payment made by A which is applicable to the portion of the 
transportation between the airport in San Francisco and the three-mile 
limit off the coast of California (a distance of 15 miles) and between 
the three-mile limit off the coast of Hawaii and the airport in 
Honolulu (a distance of 5 miles). The part of the payment made by A 
which is applicable to the taxable portion of his transportation and 
the tax due thereon are computed in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) as 
follows:

 
 
 
Mileage of entire trip (San Francisco airport to Honolulu          2,400
 airport) (miles).............................................
Mileage in continental United States (miles)..................        15
Mileage in Hawaii (miles).....................................         5
                                                               ---------
                                                                      20
Fare from San Francisco to Honolulu...........................   $168.00
Payment for taxable portion (20/2400 x $168)..................     $1.40
Tax due (7.5% (rate in effect on date of payment) x $1.40)....     $0.11
 

    (All distances and fares assumed for purposes of this example. This 
example only addresses the computation of the tax imposed by section 
4261(a). It does not address the computation of any other tax imposed 
by section 4261 that may apply to these facts.)


Sec.  49.4262(c)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 18. Section 49.4262(c)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4262-3.
0
Par. 19. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4262-3 is amended as follows:
0
1. In the first sentence of paragraph (a), remove ``includes only the 
48 States existing on July 25, 1956 (the date of the enactment of the 
Act of July 25, 1956 (Pub. L. 796, 84th Cong., 70 Stat. 644) and the 
District of Columbia'' and add ``means the District of Columbia and the 
States other than Alaska and Hawaii'' in its place.
0
2. In paragraph (a), the last sentence is removed.
0
3. In paragraph (c), remove ``six hours'' wherever it appears and add 
``12 hours'' in its place.
0
4. In paragraph (c), remove ``6 hours'' wherever it appears and add 
``12 hours'' in its place.
0
5. In paragraph (c), remove ``six-hour'' wherever it appears and add 
``12-hour'' in its place.
0
6. In paragraph (c)(2), remove ``paragraph (a)(2) of Sec.  49.4264(c)-
1'' and add ``Sec.  49.4263-3(a)(2)'' in its place.
0
7. Adding paragraphs (d) and (e).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  49.4262-3  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (d) Transportation. For purposes of the regulations in this 
subpart, the term transportation includes layover or waiting time and 
movement of the aircraft in deadhead service.
    (e) Applicability date. This section applies on and after the later 
of [date these regulations are published as final regulations in the 
Federal Register] or January 1, 2021. For rules that apply before that 
date, see 26 CFR part 49, revised as of April 1, 2020.


Sec.  49.4263-5  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 20. Section 49.4263-5 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4281-1.
0
Par. 21. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4281-1 is amended by:
0
1. Revising paragraphs (a) and (b).
0
2. In paragraph (c), adding a sentence at the end of the paragraph.
0
3. Adding paragraphs (d) and (e).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  49.4281-1  Small aircraft on nonestablished lines.

    (a) In general. Amounts paid for the transportation of persons on a 
small aircraft of the type sometimes referred to as air taxis shall be 
exempt from the tax imposed under section 4261 of the Internal Revenue 
Code provided the aircraft has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 
6,000 pounds or less determined as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
section. The exemption does not apply, however, when the aircraft is 
operated on an established line or when the aircraft is a jet aircraft.
    (b) Maximum certificated takeoff weight. The term maximum 
certificated takeoff weight means the maximum certificated takeoff 
weight shown in the type certificate or airworthiness certificate 
issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
    (c) * * * An aircraft is not considered as operated on an 
established line at any time during which the aircraft is being 
operated on a flight the sole purpose of which is sightseeing.
    (d) Jet aircraft. For purposes of this section, the term jet 
aircraft does not include any aircraft which is a rotorcraft (such as a 
helicopter) or propeller aircraft.
    (e) Applicability date. This section applies on and after the later 
of [date these regulations are published as final regulations in the 
Federal Register] or January 1, 2021. For rules that apply before that 
date, see 26 CFR part 49, revised as of April 1, 2020.


Sec.  49.4264(a)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 22. Section 49.4264(a)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4263-1.
0
Par. 23. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4263-1 is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  49.4263-1  Duty to collect the tax; payments made outside the 
United States.

    Where payment upon which tax is imposed by section 4261 of the 
Internal Revenue Code is made outside the United States for a prepaid 
order, exchange order, or similar order, the person furnishing the 
initial transportation pursuant to such order shall collect the 
applicable tax. See section 4291 and the regulations thereunder for 
cases where persons receiving payment must collect the tax.


Sec.  49.4264(b)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 24. Section 49.4264(b)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4263-2.


Sec.  49.4263-2  [Amended]

0
Par. 25. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4263-2 is amended as follows:
0
1. In the first sentence of paragraph (a), remove ``4264(b)'' and add 
``4263(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code)'' in its place.
0
2. In the last sentence of paragraph (a), remove ``office of the 
district director for the district in which the person making the 
report is located,'' and add ``Commissioner'' in its place.
0
3. In paragraph (b), add ``of the Code'' at the end of the paragraph.
0
4. In paragraph (c), remove ``Illustration.'' and add ``Example.'' in 
its place.
0
5. In the last sentence of paragraph (c), remove ``office of the 
district director of internal revenue for the district in which the 
carrier is located,'' and add in its place ``Commissioner''.


Sec.  49.4264(c)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 26. Section 49.4264(c)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4263-3.
0
Par. 27. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4263-3 is amended by:
0
1. Removing ``a district director'' wherever it appears and adding 
``Commissioner'' in its place.
0
2. Revising paragraph (a).
0
3. In paragraph (b), removing the second sentence.
0
4. In paragraph (b), removing ``4264'' wherever it appears and adding 
``4263'' in its place.
0
5. In paragraph (b), add ``of the Code'' after ``4291''.
0
6. Removing and reserving paragraph (c).
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  49.4263-3  Special rule for the payment of tax.

    (a) In general--(1) For the rules applicable under section 4263(c) 
of the Internal Revenue Code, see Sec.  49.4261-1(b).
* * * * *

[[Page 46044]]

Sec.  49.4264(d)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 28. Section 49.4264(d)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4263-4.


Sec.  49.4263-4  [Amended]

0
Par. 29. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4263-4 is amended by removing 
``4264(d)'' and adding ``4263(d)'' in its place.


Sec.  49.4264(e)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 30. Section 49.4264(e)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4263-5.


Sec.  49.4264(f)-1  [Redesignated]

0
Par. 31. Section 49.4264(f)-1 is redesignated as Sec.  49.4263-6.


Sec.  49.4263-6  [Amended]

0
Par. 32. Newly redesignated Sec.  49.4263-6 is amended by removing and 
reserving paragraph (b).
0
Par. 33. In Sec.  49.4271-1, revise paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  49.4271-1  Tax on transportation of property by air.

    (a) Purpose of this section. Section 4271 of the Internal Revenue 
Code (Code) imposes a 6.25% tax on amounts paid within or without the 
United States for the taxable transportation of property (as defined in 
section 4272). This section sets forth rules as to the general 
applicability of the tax. This section also sets forth rules authorized 
by section 4272(b)(2) of the Code which exempt from tax payments for 
the transportation of property by air in the course of exportation 
(including shipment to a possession of the United States) by continuous 
movement, and in due course so exported.
    (b) Imposition of tax. (1) The tax imposed by section 4271 applies 
only to amounts paid to persons engaged in the business of transporting 
property by air for hire.
    (2) The tax imposed by section 4271 does not apply to amounts paid 
for the transportation of property by air if such transportation is 
furnished on an aircraft having a maximum certificated takeoff weight 
(as defined in section 4281(b) of the Code) of 6,000 pounds or less, 
unless such aircraft is operated on an established line or when such 
aircraft is a jet aircraft. The tax imposed by section 4271 also does 
not apply to any payment made by one member of an affiliated group (as 
defined in section 4282(b) of the Code) to another member of such group 
for services furnished in connection with the use of an aircraft if 
such aircraft is owned or leased by a member of the affiliated group 
and is not available for hire by persons who are not members of such 
group.
* * * * *
0
Par. 34. Section 49.4271-2 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  49.4271-2  Aircraft management services.

    For rules regarding the exemption for certain amounts paid by 
aircraft owners for aircraft management services, see Sec.  49.4261-10.


Sec.  49.4282-1  [Reserved]

0
Par. 35. Add and reserve Sec.  49.4282-1.

Sunita Lough,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2020-15504 Filed 7-29-20; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P