View all text of Subpart B [§ 41.4481-1 - § 41.4483-6]
§ 41.4481-2 - Persons liable for tax.
(a) In general. (1)(i) A person is liable for the tax imposed by section 4481 with respect to the use of a highway motor vehicle in a taxable period if the vehicle is registered in the person's name—
(A) At the time of the first use of the vehicle in the taxable period;
(B) In the case of a vehicle under a suspension of tax described in § 41.4483-3(a), at the time the use on the public highways during the taxable period exceeds 5,000 miles (7,500 miles for agricultural vehicles);
(C) At the time that an increase in the taxable gross weight of the vehicle results in an additional tax liability (as computed under § 41.4481-1(c)(3)) if the increase occurs after the month in which the vehicle was first used in the taxable period; or
(D) At the time of any use during the taxable period that is after the first use during the period, but only to the extent that the tax has not previously been paid.
(ii) In any case in which more than one person is liable for the tax for a taxable period, the liability of all persons is satisfied to the extent that the tax is paid by any person liable for the tax.
(2) If a vehicle is sold during the taxable period and a credit or refund is allowable upon the sale under § 41.4481-1(c)(4)(iii), paragraph (a)(1) of this section is applied with the following modifications:
(i) For purposes of determining the person liable for the tax determined under § 41.4481-1(c)(4)(ii), each reference to a taxable period in paragraph (a)(1) of this section is treated as a reference to the period that begins on the first day of the taxable period in which the vehicle is sold and ends on the date of sale.
(ii) For purposes of determining the person liable for the tax determined under § 41.4481-1(c)(4)(vi), each reference to a taxable period in paragraph (a)(1) of this section is treated as a reference to the period that begins on the date of the sale and ends on the last day of the taxable period in which the vehicle is sold.
(3) The application of paragraph (a) of this section may be illustrated by Examples (3) and (4) in § 41.4481-1(d).
(b) Evidence of prior use of second-hand vehicle. Every person who, at any time in the taxable period, acquires and has registered in his name a secondhand highway motor vehicle shall obtain and keep as a part of his records evidence, which he believes to be true, showing whether there was or was not a taxable use of such vehicle at any time in such taxable period prior to the time when the vehicle was registered in his name. Such person shall also obtain and keep as evidence a statement from the transferor as to whether there was in effect, at the time the vehicle was acquired, a suspension under § 41.4483-3(a) of the tax imposed by section 4481(a). The evidence may take the form of a written statement, signed and dated by the person from whom the vehicle was acquired, showing whether there was or was not a prior taxable use of the vehicle and whether there was a suspension of tax in the taxable period. If the vehicle is acquired from a dealer in highway motor vehicles, the statement may be obtained from such dealer or from the person from whom the dealer acquired such vehicle. If evidence is not obtained showing whether there was or was not a prior taxable use of such vehicle and whether there was a suspension of tax in the taxable period, such person shall keep as a part of his records a written statement of the reason why he was unable to obtain such evidence. For provisions relating to penalties for aiding and abetting an understatement of tax liability, see section 6701 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(c) Effective/applicability date. This section applies on and after July 1, 2015. For rules applicable before that date, see 26 CFR 41.4481-2 (revised as of April 1, 2014).