CHAPTER 35—TAXES ON WAGERING

        

        

¹ Section numbers editorially supplied.

Subchapter A—Tax on Wagers

        

§4401. Imposition of tax

(a) Wagers

(1) State authorized wagers

There shall be imposed on any wager authorized under the law of the State in which accepted an excise tax equal to 0.25 percent of the amount of such wager.

(2) Unauthorized wagers

There shall be imposed on any wager not described in paragraph (1) an excise tax equal to 2 percent of the amount of such wager.

(b) Amount of wager

In determining the amount of any wager for the purposes of this subchapter, all charges incident to the placing of such wager shall be included; except that if the taxpayer establishes, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that an amount equal to the tax imposed by this subchapter has been collected as a separate charge from the person placing such wager, the amount so collected shall be excluded.

(c) Persons liable for tax

Each person who is engaged in the business of accepting wagers shall be liable for and shall pay the tax under this subchapter on all wagers placed with him. Each person who conducts any wagering pool or lottery shall be liable for and shall pay the tax under this subchapter on all wagers placed in such pool or lottery. Any person required to register under section 4412 who receives wagers for or on behalf of another person without having registered under section 4412 the name and place of residence of such other person shall be liable for and shall pay the tax under this subchapter on all such wagers received by him.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 525; Pub. L. 85–859, title I, §151(a), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1304; Pub. L. 93–499, §3(a), Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1550; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 97–362, title I, §109(a), Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1731.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–362 substituted provision that there shall be imposed on any wager authorized under the law of the State in which accepted an excise tax equal to 0.25 percent of the amount of such wager and that there shall be imposed on any other wager an excise tax equal to 2 percent of the amount of such wager for provision that there be imposed on wagers, as defined in section 4421, an excise tax equal to 2 percent of the amount thereof.

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary".

1974—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–499 substituted "2 percent" for "10 percent".

1958—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 85–859 made all persons required to register under section 4412 of this title who receive wagers for or on behalf of another person without having registered under section 4412 of this title the name and place of residence of such other person liable for the tax on all such wagers received by them.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–362, title I, §109(c)(1), Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1731, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on January 1, 1983."

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–499, §3(d)(1), Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1551, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [enacting section 4424 and amending this section and section 4411 of this title] take effect on December 1, 1974, and shall apply only with respect to wagers placed on or after such date."

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Pub. L. 85–859, title I, §151(b), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1304, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to wagers received after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 2, 1958]."

§4402. Exemptions

No tax shall be imposed by this subchapter—

(1) Parimutuels

On any wager placed with, or on any wager placed in a wagering pool conducted by, a parimutuel wagering enterprise licensed under State law,

(2) Coin-operated devices

On any wager placed in a coin-operated device (as defined in section 4462 as in effect for years beginning before July 1, 1980), or on any amount paid, in lieu of inserting a coin, token, or similar object, to operate a device described in section 4462(a)(2) (as so in effect), or

(3) State-conducted lotteries, etc.

On any wager placed in a sweepstakes, wagering pool, or lottery which is conducted by an agency of a State acting under authority of State law, but only if such wager is placed with the State agency conducting such sweepstakes, wagering pool, or lottery, or with its authorized employees or agents.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 525; Pub. L. 85–859, title I, §152(b), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1305; Pub. L. 89–44, title IV, §405(a), title VIII, §813(a), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 149, 170; Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1208(a), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1709; Pub. L. 95–600, title V, §521(c)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2884.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 4462, referred to in par. (2), was repealed by Pub. L. 95–600, title V, §521(b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2884.

Amendments

1978—Par. (2). Pub. L. 95–600 substituted "(as defined in section 4462 as in effect for years beginning before July 1, 1980)" for "with respect to which an occupational tax is imposed by section 4461" and "(as so in effect), or" for "if an occupational tax is imposed with respect to such device by section 4461, or".

1976—Par. (3). Pub. L. 94–455, among other changes, substituted in heading "State-conducted lotteries, etc." for "State-conducted sweepstakes.", and struck out provision that no tax be imposed on any wager placed in a sweepstakes, wagering pool, or lottery in which the ultimate winners are determined by the results of a horse race.

1965—Par. (2). Pub. L. 89–44, §405(a), substituted "section 4462(a)(2)," for "section 4462(a)(2)(B),".

Par. (3). Pub. L. 89–44, §813(a), added par. (3).

1958—Par. (2). Pub. L. 85–859 inserted provisions exempting from the tax amounts paid to operate a device described in section 4462(a)(2)(B), if an occupational tax is imposed with respect to such device by section 4461 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–600, title V, §521(d)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2885, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (b) [repealing sections 4461 to 4464 of this title] and (c) [amending this section and section 4901 of this title] shall apply with respect to years beginning after June 30, 1980."

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1208(c)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1709, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section)] shall apply with respect to wagers placed after March 10, 1964".

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–44, title VII, §701(c)(2), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 157, provided in part that: "The amendments made by sections 403 [amending sections 4461 and 4462 of this title] (relating to occupational tax on coin-operated devices) and 404 [repealing sections 4471 to 4474] (relating to occupational tax on bowling alleys, billiard and pool tables), and by subsections (a) [amending this section], (b) [amending section 4901 of this title] and (d) [amending section 4914 of this title] of section 405 (relating to technical and conforming changes) shall apply on and after July 1, 1965."

Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, §813(b), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 170, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to wagers placed after March 10, 1964."

Effective Date of 1958 Amendment

Pub. L. 85–859, title I, §152(c), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1305, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and section 4462 of this title] shall take effect on the effective date specified in section 1(c) of this Act [the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning more than 60 days after Sept. 2, 1958]. In the case of the year beginning July 1, 1958, where the trade or business on which the tax is imposed under section 4461 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] was commenced before such effective date, the tax imposed for such year solely by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a)—

"(1) shall be the amount reckoned proportionately from such effective date through June 30, 1959, and

"(2) shall be due on, and payable on or before, the last day of the month the first day of which is such effective date."

§4403. Record requirements

Each person liable for tax under this subchapter shall keep a daily record showing the gross amount of all wagers on which he is so liable, in addition to all other records required pursuant to section 6001(a).

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 525.)

§4404. Territorial extent

The tax imposed by this subchapter shall apply only to wagers

(1) accepted in the United States, or

(2) placed by a person who is in the United States

(A) with a person who is a citizen or resident of the United States, or

(B) in a wagering pool or lottery conducted by a person who is a citizen or resident of the United States.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 525.)

§4405. Cross references

For penalties and other administrative provisions applicable to this subchapter, see sections 4421 to 4423, inclusive; and subtitle F.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 526.)

Subchapter B—Occupational Tax

        

§4411. Imposition of tax

(a) In general

There shall be imposed a special tax of $500 per year to be paid by each person who is liable for the tax imposed under section 4401 or who is engaged in receiving wagers for or on behalf of any person so liable.

(b) Authorized persons

Subsection (a) shall be applied by substituting "$50" for "$500" in the case of—

(1) any person whose liability for tax under section 4401 is determined only under paragraph (1) of section 4401(a), and

(2) any person who is engaged in receiving wagers only for or on behalf of persons described in paragraph (1).

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 527; Pub. L. 93–499, §3(b), Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1550; Pub. L. 97–362, title I, §109(b), Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1731.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1982—Pub. L. 97–362 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), in subsec. (a), as so designated, substituted "liable for the tax imposed" for "liable for tax", and added subsec. (b).

1974—Pub. L. 93–499 substituted "$500" for "$50".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–362, title I, §109(c)(2), Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1731, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall take effect on July 1, 1983."

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–499 effective Dec. 1, 1974, and applicable only with respect to wagers placed on or after such date, see section 3(d)(1) of Pub. L. 93–499, set out as a note under section 4401 of this title.

Persons Engaged in Activities on December 1, 1974, Requiring Payment of Tax; Persons Paying Tax and Registering Before December 1, 1974

Pub. L. 93–499, §3(d)(2), Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1551, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:

"(A) Any person who, on December 1, 1974, is engaged in an activity which makes him liable for payment of the tax imposed by section 4411 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as in effect on such date) shall be treated as commencing such activity on such date for purposes of such section and section 4901 of such Code.

"(B) Any person who, before December 1, 1974.—

"(i) became liable for and paid the tax imposed by section 4411 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in effect on July 1, 1974) for the year ending June 30, 1975, shall not be liable for any additional tax under such section for such year, and

"(ii) registered under section 4412 of such Code (as in effect on July 1, 1974) for the year ending June 30, 1975, shall not be required to reregister under such section for such year."

§4412. Registration

(a) Requirement

Each person required to pay a special tax under this subchapter shall register with the official in charge of the internal revenue district—

(1) his name and place of residence;

(2) if he is liable for tax under subchapter A, each place of business where the activity which makes him so liable is carried on, and the name and place of residence of each person who is engaged in receiving wagers for him or on his behalf; and

(3) if he is engaged in receiving wagers for or on behalf of any person liable for tax under subchapter A, the name and place of residence of each such person.

(b) Firm or company

Where subsection (a) requires the name and place of residence of a firm or company to be registered, the names and places of residence of the several persons constituting the firm or company shall be registered.

(c) Supplemental information

In accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the Secretary may require from time to time such supplemental information from any person required to register under this section as may be needful to the enforcement of this chapter.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 527; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(I), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1835.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–455 substituted "the Secretary may" for "he or his delegate may".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Persons Paying Tax and Registering Before December 1, 1974

Persons registered before Dec. 1, 1974 under this section (as in effect on July 1, 1974) for the year ending June 30, 1975, not required to reregister under this section for such year, see section 3(d)(2) of Pub. L. 93–499, set out as a note under section 4411 of this title.

§4413. Certain provisions made applicable

Sections 4901, 4902, 4904, 4905, and 4906 shall extend to and apply to the special tax imposed by this subchapter and to the persons upon whom it is imposed, and for that purpose any activity which makes a person liable for special tax under this subchapter shall be considered to be a business or occupation referred to in such sections. No other provision of sections 4901 to 4907, inclusive, shall so extend or apply.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 527.)

§4414. Cross references

For penalties and other general and administrative provisions applicable to this subchapter, see sections 4421 to 4423, inclusive; and subtitle F.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 527.)

Subchapter C—Miscellaneous Provisions

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1974—Pub. L. 93–499, §3(c)(2), Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1551, added item 4424.

§4421. Definitions

For purposes of this chapter—

(1) Wager

The term "wager" means—

(A) any wager with respect to a sports event or a contest placed with a person engaged in the business of accepting such wagers,

(B) any wager placed in a wagering pool with respect to a sports event or a contest, if such pool is conducted for profit, and

(C) any wager placed in a lottery conducted for profit.

(2) Lottery

The term "lottery" includes the numbers game, policy, and similar types of wagering. The term does not include—

(A) any game of a type in which usually

(i) the wagers are placed,

(ii) the winners are determined, and

(iii) the distribution of prizes or other property is made, in the presence of all persons placing wagers in such game, and

(B) any drawing conducted by an organization exempt from tax under sections 501 and 521, if no part of the net proceeds derived from such drawing inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 528.)

§4422. Applicability of Federal and State laws

The payment of any tax imposed by this chapter with respect to any activity shall not exempt any person from any penalty provided by a law of the United States or of any State for engaging in the same activity, nor shall the payment of any such tax prohibit any State from placing a tax on the same activity for State or other purposes.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 528.)

§4423. Inspection of books

Notwithstanding section 7605(b), the books of account of any person liable for tax under this chapter may be examined and inspected as frequently as may be needful to the enforcement of this chapter.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 528.)

§4424. Disclosure of wagering tax information

(a) General rule

Except as otherwise provided in this section, neither the Secretary nor any other officer or employee of the Treasury Department may divulge or make known in any manner whatever to any person—

(1) any original, copy, or abstract of any return, payment, or registration made pursuant to this chapter,

(2) any record required for making any such return, payment, or registration, which the Secretary is permitted by the taxpayer to examine or which is produced pursuant to section 7602, or

(3) any information come at by the exploitation of any such return, payment, registration, or record.

(b) Permissible disclosure

A disclosure otherwise prohibited by subsection (a) may be made in connection with the administration or civil or criminal enforcement of any tax imposed by this title. However, any document or information so disclosed may not be—

(1) divulged or made known in any manner whatever by any officer or employee of the United States to any person except in connection with the administration or civil or criminal enforcement of this title, nor

(2) used, directly or indirectly, in any criminal prosecution for any offense occurring before the date of enactment of this section.

(c) Use of documents possessed by taxpayer

Except in connection with the administration or civil or criminal enforcement of any tax imposed by this title—

(1) any stamp denoting payment of the special tax under this chapter,

(2) any original, copy, or abstract possessed by a taxpayer of any return, payment, or registration made by such taxpayer pursuant to this chapter, and

(3) any information come at by the exploitation of any such document,

shall not be used against such taxpayer in any criminal proceeding.

(d) Inspection by committees of Congress

Section 6103(f) shall apply with respect to any return, payment, or registration made pursuant to this chapter.

(Added Pub. L. 93–499, §3(c)(1), Oct. 29, 1974, 88 Stat. 1550; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §1202(h)(6), title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1688, 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, §1906(b)(13)(A), struck out "or his delegate" after "Secretary" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455, §1202(h)(6), substituted "6103(f)" for "6103(d)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by section 1202(h)(6) of Pub. L. 94–455 effective Jan. 1, 1977, see section 1202(i) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 6103 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 1, 1974, and applicable only with respect to wagers placed on or after such date, see section 3(d)(1) of Pub. L. 93–499, set out as an Effective Date of 1974 Amendment note under section 4401 of this title.