Where there is a change in the name of an individual operating as a manufacturer of tobacco products he shall, within 30 days of such change, make application on Form 2098 for an amended permit.

Where there is a change in, or an addition or discontinuance of, a trade name used by a manufacturer of tobacco products in connection with operations authorized by his permit the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of such change, addition or discontinuance, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for an amended permit to reflect such change. The manufacturer shall also furnish a true copy of any new trade name certificate or document issued to him, or statement in lieu thereof, required by § 40.65.

Where there is a change in the name of a corporate manufacturer of tobacco products, the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for an amended permit. The manufacturer shall also furnish such documents as may be necessary to establish that the corporate name has been changed.

If an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary, is to take over the business of a manufacturer of tobacco products, as a continuing operation, such fiduciary shall, before commencing operations, make application for permit and file bond as required by subpart E, of this part, furnish certified copies, in duplicate, of the order of the court, or other pertinent documents, showing his appointment and qualification as such fiduciary, and make a commencing inventory, in accordance with the provisions of § 40.201: Provided, That where a diagram has been furnished by the predecessor, in accordance with the provisions of § 40.69, the successor may adopt such diagram if it is currently complete and accurate. However, where a fiduciary intends only to liquidate the business, qualification as a manufacturer of tobacco products will not be required if he promptly files with the appropriate TTB officer a written statement to that effect, in duplicate, together with an extension of coverage of the predecessor's bond, executed by the fiduciary and the surety on such bond, in accordance with the provisions of § 40.137.

If a transfer is to be made in ownership of the business of a manufacturer of tobacco products (including a change of any member of a partnership or association), such manufacturer shall give notice, in writing, to the appropriate TTB officer, naming the proposed successor and the desired effective date of such transfer. The proposed successor shall, before commencing operations, qualify as a manufacturer of tobacco products, in accordance with the applicable provisions of subpart E of this part: Provided, That where a diagram has been furnished by the manufacturer in accordance with the provisions of § 40.69, the proposed successor may adopt such diagram if it is currently complete and accurate. The manufacturer shall give such notice of transfer, and the proposed successor shall make application for permit and file bond, as required, in ample time for examination and approval thereof before the desired date of such change. The predecessor shall make a concluding inventory and concluding report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.201 and 40.202, respectively, and surrender his permit with such inventory and report. The successor shall make a commencing inventory and commencing report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.201 and 40.202, respectively.

Upon election or appointment (excluding successive reelection or reappointment) of any officer or director of a corporation operating the business of a manufacturer of tobacco products, or upon any occurrence which results in a person acquiring ownership or control of more than ten percent in aggregate of the outstanding stock of such corporation, the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of such action, so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing, giving the identity of such person. When there is any change in the authority furnished under § 40.63 for officers to act in behalf of the corporation the manufacturer shall immediately so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing.

Where the issuance, sale, or transfer of the stock of a corporation, operating as a manufacturer of tobacco products, results in a change in the identity of the principal stockholders exercising actual or legal control of the operations of the corporation, the corporate manufacturer shall, within 30 days after the change occurs, make application on TTB F 5200.3 for a new permit. Otherwise, the present permit shall be automatically terminated at the expiration of such 30-day period, and the manufacturer shall dispose of all tobacco products on hand, in accordance with this part, make a concluding inventory and concluding report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.201 and 40.202, respectively, and surrender his permit with such inventory and report. If the application for a new permit is timely made, the present permit shall continue in effect pending final action with respect to such application.

Whenever a manufacturer of tobacco products intends to relocate its factory, the manufacturer shall, before commencing operations at the new location, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for, and obtain, an amended permit. The application shall be supported by bond coverage in accordance with the provisions of subpart G of this part.

Whenever any change occurs in the address, but not the location, of the factory of a manufacturer of tobacco products, as a result of action of local authorities, the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for an amended permit.

Where a tobacco products factory is to be changed to an extent which will make inaccurate the description of the factory as set forth in the last application by the manufacturer for permit, on the diagram, if any, furnished with such application, the manufacturer shall first make an application on TTB F 5200.16 for, and obtain, an amended permit. Such application shall describe the proposed change in the factory and shall be accompanied by a new diagram if required under the provisions of § 40.69.

Except for removals in bond and transfers in bond, as authorized by law, the taxes imposed on tobacco products by section 5701, I.R.C., shall be determined at the time of removal of such products and paid on the basis of a return, in accordance with the provisions of this part.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products shall file, for each of his factories, a semimonthly tax return on Form 5000.24 for each return period, including any period during which a manufacturer begins or discontinues business. The return shall be filed with TTB in accordance with the instructions on the form. The manufacturer shall file the return at the time specified in § 40.165 regardless of whether tobacco products are removed or whether tax is due for that particular return period. However, when the manufacturer requests by letter and the appropriate TTB officer grants specific authorization, the manufacturer need not during the term of such authorization file a tax return for which tax is not due or payable.

Except as otherwise provided in § 40.164, the periods to be covered by semimonthly tax returns are from the 1st day of each month through the 15th day of that month and from the 16th day of each month through the last day of that month.

(a) Division of second semimonthly period. (1) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the second semimonthly period for the month of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 26th day, and from the 27th day through the 30th day. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 16-26, no later than September 29. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 27-30, no later than October 14.

(2) Taxpayment not by electronic fund transfer. In the case of taxes for which remittance by electronic fund transfer (EFT) is not required by § 40.165a, the second semimonthly period of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 25th day, and from the 26th day through the 30th day. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 16-25, no later than September 28. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 26-30, no later than October 14.

(b) Amount of payment—Safe harbor rule. (1) General. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 29 is not less than 11/15ths (73.3 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14.

(2) Taxpayment not by EFT. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 28 is not less than 2/3rds (66.7 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14.

(c) Weekends and holidays. If the required taxpayment due date for the period September 16-25 or September 16-26, as applicable, falls on a Saturday or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day. If the required due date falls on a Sunday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately following day.

(d) Example: Payment of tax for the month of September. (1) Facts. X, a manufacturer of tobacco products required to pay taxes by electronic fund transfer, incurred tax liability in the amount of $30,000 for the first semimonthly period of September. For the period September 16-26, X incurred tax liability in the amount of $45,000, and for the period September 27-30, X incurred tax liability in the amount of $2,000.

(2) Payment requirement. X's payment of tax in the amount of $30,000 for the first semimonthly period of September is due no later than September 29 (§ 40.165(a)). X's payment of tax for the period September 16-26 is also due no later than September 29 (§ 40.164(a)(1)). X may use the safe harbor rule to determine the amount of payment due for the period of September 16-26 (§ 40.164(b)). Under the safe harbor rule, X's payment of tax must not be less than $21,990.00, that is, 11/15ths of the tax liability incurred during the first semimonthly period of September. Additionally, X must pay the tax in the amount of $2,000 for the period September 27-30 no later than October 14 (§ 40.164(a)(1)). X must also pay the underpayment of tax, $23,010.00, for the period September 16-26, no later than October 14 (§ 40.164(b)).

(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in § 40.164 and in paragraph (b) of this section, semimonthly returns on TTB F 5000.24 must be filed, for each return period, not later than the 14th day after the last day of the return period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, except as otherwise provided in § 40.164(c).

(b) Postmark. The official postmark of the U.S. Postal Service stamped on the cover in which the return was mailed shall be considered the date of delivery of the tax return and, if the return was accompanied by a remittance, the date of delivery of the remittance. When the postmark is illegible, the manufacturer shall prove when the postmark was made. When the proprietor sends the tax return with or without remittance by registered mail or by certified mail, the date of registry or the date of the postmark on the sender's receipt of certified mail, as the case may be, shall be treated as the date of delivery of the tax return and, if accompanied, of the remittance.

(a) General. (1) Each taxpayer who was liable, during a calendar year, for a gross amount equal to or exceeding five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 41 of this chapter, shall use a commercial bank in making payment by electronic fund transfer (EFT) of taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes during the succeeding calendar year. Payment of taxes on tobacco products by cash, check, or money order, as described in § 40.168, is not authorized for a taxpayer who is required, by this section, to make remittances by EFT. For purposes of this section, the dollar amount of tax liability is defined as the gross tax liability on all taxable withdrawals and importations (including tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes brought into the United States from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands) during the calendar year, without regard to any drawbacks, credits, or refunds, for all premises from which such activities are conducted by the taxpayer. Overpayments are not taken into account in summarizing the gross tax liability.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a taxpayer includes a controlled group of corporations, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 1563, and implementing regulations in 26 CFR 1.1563-1 through 1.1563-4, except that the words “at least 80 percent” shall be replaced by the words “more than 50 percent” in each place it appears in subsection (a) of 26 U.S.C. 1563, as well as in the implementing regulations. Also, the rules for a “controlled group of corporations” apply in a similar fashion to groups which include partnerships and/or sole proprietorships. If one entity maintains more than 50% control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole proprietorships, all of the members of the controlled group are one taxpayer for the purpose of determining who is required to make remittances by EFT.

(3) A taxpayer who is required by this section to make remittances by EFT, shall make a separate EFT remittance and file a separate return, Form 5000.24, for each factory from which tobacco products are withdrawn upon determination of tax.

(b) Requirements. (1) On or before January 10 of each calendar year, except for a taxpayer already remitting the tax by EFT, each taxpayer who was liable for a gross amount equal to or exceeding five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 41 of this chapter, during the previous calendar year, shall notify, in writing, the appropriate TTB officer. The notice shall be an agreement to make remittances by EFT.

(2) For each return filed in accordance with this part, the taxpayer shall direct the taxpayer's bank to make an electronic fund transfer in the amount of the tax payment to the Treasury Account as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The request shall be made to the bank early enough for the transfer to be made to the Treasury Account by no later than the close of business on the last day for filing the return, prescribed in § 40.165 or § 40.167. The request shall take into account any time limit established by the bank.

(3) If a taxpayer was liable for less than five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 41 of this chapter during the preceding calendar year, the taxpayer may choose either to continue remitting the tax as provided in this section or to remit the tax with the return on as prescribed by § 40.168. Upon filing the first return which the taxpayer chooses to discontinue remitting the tax by EFT and to begin remitting the tax with the tax return, the taxpayer shall notify the appropriate TTB officer by attaching a written notification to Form 5000.24, stating that no taxes are due by EFT, because the tax liability during the preceding calendar year was less than five million dollars, and that the remittance shall be filed with the tax return.

(c) Remittance. (1) Each taxpayer shall show on the return, Form 5000.24, information about remitting the tax for that return period by EFT and shall file the return with the TTB, in accordance with the instructions on Form 5000.24.

(2) Remittances shall be considered as made when the taxpayment by electronic fund transfer is received by the Treasury Account. For purposes of this section, a taxpayment by electronic fund transfer shall be considered as received by the Treasury Account when it is paid to a Federal Reserve Bank.

(3) When the taxpayer directs the bank to effect an electronic fund transfer message as required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section, any transfer data record furnished to the taxpayer, through normal banking procedures, will serve as the record of payment, and shall be retained as part of required records.

(d) Failure to make a taxpayment by EFT. The taxpayer is subject to a penalty imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5761, 6651, or 6656, as applicable, for failure to make a tax payment by EFT on or before the close of business on the prescribed last day for filing.

(e) Procedure. Upon the notification required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer will issue to the taxpayer a TTB procedure entitled, Payment of Tax by Electronic Fund Transfer. This publication outlines the procedure a taxpayer is to follow when preparing returns and EFT remittances in accordance with this part. The U.S. Customs Service will provide the taxpayer with instructions for preparing EFT remittances for payments to be made to the U.S. Customs Service.

Where a check or money order tendered with any return, whether semi-monthly or prepayment, for payment of tax on tobacco products is not paid on presentment, where a manufacturer fails to remit with the return the full amount of tax due thereunder, or where a manufacturer is otherwise in default in payment of tax on tobacco products under the internal revenue laws or this chapter, during the period of such default and until the appropriate TTB officer finds that the revenue will not be jeopardized by the deferred payment of tax pursuant to the provisions of this part, no tobacco products shall be removed subject to tax until the tax thereon has first been paid as provided in § 40.167. Any remittance made during the period of a default shall be in cash, or in the form of a certified, cashier's, or treasurer's check drawn on any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States, or under the laws of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or in the form of a U.S. postal money order or other money order, and defined in § 70.61 of this chapter (payment by check or money order), or shall be delivered in the form of an electronic fund transfer message as provided in § 40.165a.

(a) To prepay the tax on tobacco products a manufacturer shall file a prepayment tax return on Form 5000.24 showing the tax to be paid on the tobacco products prior to removal. The return shall be executed and filed, prior to the removal of such products, with TTB, in accordance with the instructions on the form. A manufacturer prepaying the taxes on tobacco products under the provisions of this section shall continue to file semimonthly returns as required by § 40.162.

(b) However, if a manufacturer is required by § 40.165a to pay the tax by electronic fund transfer, the manufacturer shall prepay the tax before any tobacco products can be removed for consumption or sale by completing the return and filing it with TTB, in accordance with the instructions on the form. At the same time, the manufacturer shall direct his bank to effect an EFT.

Except when an electronic fund transfer has been made under § 40.165a for the full amount of tax due, the tax on tobacco products shown to be due and payable on any return shall be paid by remittance in full with the tax return. The remittance may be in the form which the appropriate TTB officer is authorized to accept under § 70.61 of this chapter (Payment by check or money order) and which is acceptable to him, except as otherwise specified in § 40.166. Checks and money orders shall be made payable to the “Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau”. In paying the tax, a fractional part of a cent shall be disregarded unless it amounts to one-half cent or more, in which case it shall be increased to one cent.

The employer identification number (defined at 26 CFR 301.7701-12) of a manufacturer of tobacco products who has been assigned such a number shall be shown on each tax return, Form 5000.24. Failure of the manufacturer to include his employer identification number on Form 5000.24 may result in assertion and collection of the penalty specified in § 70.113 of this chapter.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products who has neither secured an employer identification number nor made application therefor shall file an application on Form SS-4. Form SS-4 may be obtained from any service center director or from any district director. Such application shall be filed on or before the seventh day after the date on which any tax return under this part is filed. Each manufacturer shall make application for and shall be assigned only one employer identification number for all internal revenue tax purposes.

The application on Form SS-4, together with any supplementary statement, shall be prepared in accordance with the form, instructions, and regulations applicable thereto, and shall set forth fully and clearly the data therein called for. The application shall be filed with the service center director serving any internal revenue district where the applicant is required to file returns under this part, except that hand-carried applications may be filed with the district director of any such district as provided for in 26 CFR 301.6091-1. The application shall be signed by (a) the individual if the person is an individual; (b) the president, vice president, or other principal officer if the person is a corporation; (c) a responsible and duly authorized member or officer having knowledge of its affairs if the person is a partnership or other unincorporated organization; or (d) the fiduciary if the person is a trust or estate.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products must keep records of his operations and transactions which shall reflect, for each day, the information specified in §§ 40.182 and 40.183. For this purpose day shall mean calendar day, except that the appropriate TTB officer may, upon application of the manufacturer by letter, in duplicate, authorize as such day for a factory a 24-hour cycle of operation other than the calendar day. A day once so established as other than the calendar day may be changed only by another application approved by the appropriate TTB officer. No specific form is required. The manufacturer may use commercial records from which the required information may be readily ascertained for this purpose. The manufacturer shall keep the auxiliary and supplemental records from which such records are compiled and shall keep supporting records, as specified in §§ 40.184 and 40.186, of tobacco products removed subject to tax and transferred in bond. Except as provided in §§ 40.184 and 40.186, the entries in the commercial records so maintained or kept shall be made not later than the close of the next business day following the day on which the transaction(s) occurred. As used in this section the term business day shall mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, or a statewide legal holiday in the State wherein the factory to which the records relate is located.

(a) A manufacturer of tobacco products who processes tobacco on the factory premises solely for use in the manufacture of tobacco products under that permit, and who does not remove processed tobacco from the factory premises for any purpose other than destruction, must maintain a daily record that shows the total quantity in pounds of all processed tobacco:

(1) On hand;

(2) Received, together with the name and address of the person from whom received;

(3) Used in the manufacture of tobacco products;

(4) Lost, together with the circumstances of the loss; and

(5) Destroyed, together with the circumstances of the destruction.

(b) In addition to the recordkeeping and reporting requirements set forth elsewhere in this part, a manufacturer of tobacco products who removes processed tobacco from the factory premises for any purpose other than for destruction must keep records and submit reports as prescribed in §§ 40.521 and 40.522.

The record of a manufacturer of tobacco products shall show the date and total quantities of all tobacco products, by kind (small cigars-large cigars; small cigarettes-large cigarettes; chewing tobacco-snuff; pipe tobacco; roll-your-own tobacco):

(a) Manufactured;

(b) Received in bond by—

(1) Transfer from other factories,

(2) Release from customs custody,

(3) Transfer from export warehouses, and

(4) Transfer from foreign trade zone;

(c) Received by return to bond;

(d) Disclosed as an overage by inventory;

(e) Removed subject to tax (itemize large cigars by sale price in accordance with § 40.22, except that before April 1, 2009, cigars that cost more than $235.294 may optionally be shown as if the price were $236 per thousand, and on and after April 1, 2009, cigars that cost more than $763.222 may optionally be shown as if the price were $764 per thousand);

(f) Removed, in bond, for—

(1) Export,

(2) Transfer to export warehouses,

(3) Transfer to other factories,

(4) Transfer to a foreign trade zone

(5) Use of the United States, and

(6) Experimental purposes off factory premises;

(g) Otherwise disposed of, without determination of tax, by—

(1) Consumption by employees on factory premises,

(2) Consumption by employees off factory premises, together with the number of employees to whom furnished,

(3) Use for experimental purposes on factory premises,

(4) Loss,

(5) Destruction, and

(6) Reduction to materials;

(h) Disclosed as a shortage by inventory; and

(i) On which the tax has been determined and which are—

(1) Received, and

(2) Disposed of.

(a) Requirement. Every manufacturer of tobacco products must keep a record of tobacco products removed from the factory subject to tax. The manufacturer must make entries in this record at the time of removal. The record for each removal must show:

(1) The date of removal,

(2) The name and address of the person to whom shipped or delivered,

(3) The kind and quantity of tobacco products removed, and

(4) For large cigars, show the sale price (if the sale price is more than $235.294 per thousand before April 1, 2009, or more than $763.222 per thousand on and after April 1, 2009, you may place a note to that effect in the record instead of the actual price).

(b) Exceptions. (1) The record of removal may consist of the manufacturer's commercial documents, such as copies of invoices, rather than records prepared expressly to meet the requirements of this section. If commercial documents are used, they must be kept at the factory, contain all the details required by this section, and be clear and accurate. Commercial documents that do not show specifically the tax classification of tobacco products (including sale price of large cigars) are still acceptable if they contain adequate information for an appropriate TTB officer to readily ascertain the applicable tax.

(2) Where tobacco products are delivered within the factory directly to the consumer, the record need not show the name and address of the consumer.

All records required to be kept under this part, including copies of authorizations, claims, inventories, notices, reports, returns and schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer for three years following the close of the calendar year in which filed or made, or in the case of an authorization, for three years following the close of the calendar year in which the operation under such authorization is concluded. Such records shall be kept in the factory or a place convenient thereto, and shall be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon his request.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products shall keep a supporting record of tobacco products transferred in bond to or received in bond from other factories, and shall make the entries therein at the time of each receipt or removal of such products. Such supporting records shall show the date of receipt or removal, the name of the manufacturer and address of the factory from which received or to which removed or the permit number of such factory, and the kind and quantity of tobacco products. Where the manufacturer keeps, at the factory, copies of invoices or other commercial records containing the information required as to each receipt and removal, in such orderly manner that the information may be readily ascertained therefrom, such copies will be considered the supporting record required by this section.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products who removes large cigars from the factory shall keep such records as are necessary to establish and verify the price for which the cigars are sold, in accordance with § 40.22. The record shall be a continuing one of each brand and size of cigar so that the sale price on which the tax is based may be readily ascertained.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products shall make true and accurate inventories on Form 5210.9, which inventories shall include all tobacco products and processed tobacco on hand required to be accounted for in the records kept under this part. The manufacturer shall make such an inventory at the time of commencing business, which shall be the effective date of the permit issued upon original qualification under this part; at the time of transferring ownership; at the time of changing the location of his factory; at the time of concluding business; and at such other time as any appropriate TTB officer may require. Each inventory shall be prepared in duplicate, and shall be subject to verification by an appropriate TTB officer. The original of each such inventory shall be submitted to the appropriate TTB officer, and the duplicate shall be retained by the manufacturer.

(a) Monthly report. Every manufacturer of tobacco products shall make a report on Form 5210.5, in duplicate, for each month and for any portion of a month during which he engages in such business. Such report shall be made regardless of whether any operations or transactions occurred during the month or portion of a month covered therein. The report for a month or portion of a month in which business is commenced or is concluded shall be conspicuously marked “Commencing Report” or “Concluding Report,” respectively. The original of the report shall be submitted to the appropriate TTB officer not later than the 20th day of the month succeeding the month covered therein, and the duplicate shall be retained by the manufacturer. Each report shall show, for the period covered, the total quantity of tobacco products:

(1) Manufactured,

(2) Received in bond,

(3) Received by return to bond,

(4) Disclosed by inventory as an overage,

(5) Removed subject to tax,

(6) Removed in bond,

(7) Otherwise disposed of without determination of tax,

(8) Disclosed by inventory as a shortage, and

(9) On hand, in bond, beginning of and end of month.

(b) Report of processed tobacco removed. In addition to the recordkeeping and reporting requirements set forth elsewhere in this part, a manufacturer of tobacco products who removes processed tobacco from the factory premises for any purpose other than destruction must record and report those removals in accordance with § 40.522 of this part.

All tobacco products shall, before removal subject to tax, be put up by the manufacturer in packages which shall be of such construction as will securely contain the products therein and maintain the mark and the notice thereon as required by this part. No package of tobacco products shall have contained therein, attached thereto, or stamped, marked, written, or printed thereon (a) any certificate, coupon, or other device purporting to be or to represent a ticket, chance, share, or an interest in, or dependent on, the event of a lottery, (b) any indecent or immoral picture, print, or representation, or (c) any statement or indication that United States tax has been paid. No person may purchase, receive, possess (except for personal consumption), offer for sale, or sell or otherwise dispose of, after removal, any tobacco products that are not put up in packages bearing the marks, labels, and notices, as required under this part.

Every package of tobacco products packaged in a domestic factory shall, before removal subject to tax, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, a mark as specified in this section. The mark may consist of the name of the manufacturer removing the product subject to tax and the location (by city and State) of the factory from which the products are to be so removed, or may consist of the permit number of the factory from which the products are to be so removed. (Any trade name of the manufacturer approved as provided in § 40.65 may be used in the mark as the name of the manufacturer.) As an alternative, where tobacco products are packaged and removed subject to tax by the same manufacturer, either at the same or different factories, the mark may consist of the name of such manufacturer if the factory where packaged is identified on or in the package by a means approved by the appropriate TTB officer. Before using the alternative, the manufacturer shall notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing of the name to be used as the name of the manufacturer and the means to be used for identifying the factory where packaged. If approved by him the appropriate TTB officer shall return approved copies of the notice to the manufacturer. A copy of the approved notice shall be retained as part of the factory records at each of the factories operated by the manufacturer.

Tobacco products labeled for export are ineligible for removal from the factory and distribution into the domestic U.S. market. Such products may only be sold, transferred or delivered onto the domestic U.S. market by a manufacturer of tobacco products after repackaging of the product. For the purposes of this section, “repackaging” shall mean the removal of the tobacco product from its original package bearing the export marks and placement of the product in a new package. The new packages, marks and notices must conform to the requirements of this subpart.

Before removal subject to tax, every package of cigars shall have adequately imprinted on it, or on a label securely affixed to it—

(a) The designation “cigars”;

(b) The quantity of cigars contained in the package; and

(c) For small cigars, the classification of the product for tax purposes (i.e., either “small” or “little”).

Every package of cigarettes shall, before removal subject to tax, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, the designation “cigarettes”, the quantity of such product contained therein, and the classification for tax purposes, i.e., for small cigarettes, either “small” or “Class A”, and for large cigarettes, either “large” or “Class B”.

(a) Product designation. Every package of chewing tobacco or snuff shall, before removal subject to tax, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, the designation “chewing tobacco” or “snuff.” As an alternative, packages of chewing tobacco may be designated “Tax Class C”, and packages of snuff may be designated “Tax Class M”.

(b) Product weight. Every package of chewing tobacco or snuff shall, before removal subject to tax, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, a clear statement of the actual pounds and ounces of the product contained therein. As an alternative, the shipping cases containing packages of chewing tobacco or snuff may, before removal, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, a clear statement, in pounds and ounces, of the total weight of the product, the tax class of the product, and the total number of the packages of product contained therein.

(a) Product designation. Every package of pipe tobacco shall, before removal subject to tax, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, the designation “pipe tobacco.”

(b) Product weight. Every package of pipe tobacco shall, before removal subject to tax, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, a clear statement of the actual pounds and ounces of the product contained therein.

(a) Product designation. Every package of roll-your-own tobacco, before removal subject to tax, must have adequately imprinted on it, or on a label securely affixed to it, the applicable designation “roll-your-own tobacco”, “cigarette tobacco”, “cigar tobacco”, “cigarette wrapper”, or “cigar wrapper”.

(b) Product weight. Before removal subject to tax, roll-your-own tobacco must have a clear statement of the actual weight in pounds and ounces of the product in the package. This statement must be adequately imprinted on, or on a label securely affixed to, the package.

(a) During the period from June 22, 2009, through March 23, 2010, a manufacturer of tobacco products may remove packages of pipe tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco that do not meet the requirements of § 40.216a(a) or § 40.216b(a), provided that such packages bear the designation “Tax Class L” (to designate pipe tobacco) or “Tax Class J” (to designate roll-your-own tobacco) and were in use prior to June 22, 2009.

(b) During the period from June 22, 2009, through March 23, 2010, a manufacturer may remove roll-your-own tobacco for which the applicable designation is “cigar tobacco,” “cigarette wrapper,” or “cigar wrapper” even if the packages of such products do not meet the requirements of § 40.216b.

Where a manufacturer of tobacco products desires to repackage, outside the factory, tobacco products on which the tax has been determined or which were removed for a tax-exempt purpose or transferred in bond to an export warehouse, or to repackage tax determined tobacco products in the factory, he shall make application for authorization to do so, in duplicate, to the appropriate TTB officer. The application shall set forth the location and the number of packages, a description of the contents, the tax status of the tobacco products the reason for wanting to repackage the products (e.g., packages soiled, damaged, or otherwise in a condition making the product unsalable), and a description of the package to be used for repackaging. The packages to be used must comply with the package, mark, and notice provisions of this chapter applicable to the tobacco products being repackaged. The operations authorized under this section are limited solely to repackaging for good cause by a manufacturer, pursuant to an approved application, of the specified tobacco products in the described packages, and do not include any manufacturing processes. If the appropriate TTB officer approves the application, he may assign an appropriate TTB officer to supervise the repackaging or he may authorize the manufacturer to repackage the products without supervision by so stating on a copy of the application returned to the manufacturer. Where the manufacturer is authorized to repackage he shall record the date of repackaging on the approved application and retain it as part of his records.

A manufacturer of tobacco products may gratuitously furnish tobacco products, without determination and payment of tax, for personal consumption by employees in the factory in such quantities as desired. Each employee may also be gratuitously furnished by the manufacturer, for off-factory personal consumption, not more than 5 large cigars or cigarettes, 20 small cigars or cigarettes, or one retail package of chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco, or a proportionate quantity of each, without determination and payment of tax, on each day the employee is at work. For the purposes of this section, the term “employee” shall mean those persons whose duties require their presence in the factory or whose duties relate to the manufacture, distribution, or sale of tobacco products and who receive compensation from the manufacturer, or a parent, subsidiary, or auxiliary company or corporation of the manufacturer. Such product furnished for off-factory consumption shall be furnished to the employee within the factory and taken from the factory by the employee on the day for which furnished. Employees shall not sell, offer for sale, or give away products so furnished.

A manufacturer of tobacco products may use tobacco products for experimental purposes without determination and payment of tax as set forth in this section.

(a) What are experimental purposes? Experimental purposes are operations or tests carried out under controlled conditions to discover an unknown scientific principle or fact, to gather or confirm data about a known scientific principle or fact, or to test manufacturing, packaging, or other such equipment. Examples of uses for experimental purposes are:

(1) Use by manufacturers to determine scientific facts relating to tobacco products, such as their chemical content;

(2) Use by producers of packaging machines to test the operation of such machines; and

(3) Use by laboratories, hospitals, medical centers, institutes, colleges, or universities, for scientific, technical, or medical research.

(b) What purposes are not experimental? The uses of tobacco products outside the factory premises for advertising or consumer testing or as salespersons' or customers' samples are not experimental purposes.

(c) Use in factory. A manufacturer of tobacco products may use tobacco products without determination and payment of tax for experimental purposes in a factory.

(d) Use outside factory. A manufacturer may remove tobacco products in bond for experimental purposes outside a factory. When tobacco products are shipped for experimental purposes outside the factory, the proprietor of the factory remains liable for the taxes imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5701 until the occurrence of one of the following events:

(1) The tobacco products are returned to the premises of the factory from which they were shipped; or

(2) The tobacco products are destroyed during or after their use for experimental purposes.

(e) Record of use. In addition to the records prescribed by § 40.183, a manufacturer who removes tobacco products in bond for experimental purposes outside a factory must prepare and maintain a record containing the following information:

(1) Name and address of the consignee;

(2) Kind and quantity of tobacco products removed;

(3) Description of packaging, if any, of the tobacco products removed;

(4) Description of how and when the consignee will use the tobacco products; and

(5) Disposition of any remaining tobacco products after the consignee's use.

A manufacturer of tobacco products may transfer tobacco products in bond, to the factory of any manufacturer of tobacco products. The transfer of tobacco products in bond to the premises of an export warehouse proprietor shall be in accordance with the provisions of part 44 of this chapter. Tobacco products are not eligible for transfer in bond to a manufacturer of tobacco products or to an export warehouse unless they bear all required marks, labels, or notices.

The removal of tobacco products in bond, for use of the United States, shall be in accordance with the provisions of part 45 of this chapter.

The removal of tobacco products in bond, for shipment to a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, or for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, shall be in accordance with the provisions of part 44 of this chapter.

The release of tobacco products from customs custody, in bond, for transfer to the premises of a tobacco products factory, shall be in accordance with the provisions of part 41 of this chapter.

In cases of emergency, the appropriate TTB officer may authorize, for a stated period, the temporary storage of tobacco products at a place outside the factory without the application for amended permit required under § 40.114, where such action will not hinder the effective administration of this part, is not contrary to law, and will not jeopardize the revenue. Application for authorization to so store tobacco products shall be submitted to the appropriate TTB officer by letter, in duplicate. All tobacco products so stored outside the factory shall be accounted for in the records and reports required under §§ 40.183 and 40.202 the same as products within the factory.

A manufacturer may reduce tobacco products to materials without supervision. If the tobacco products have been entered in the factory record as manufactured or received, an entry shall be made in such record of the quantity of pipe tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco and the kind and quantity of cigars, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco reduced to materials and of the quantity of tobacco resulting from the reduction. Where the manufacturer intends to file claims for credit allowance, or refund of tax on such tobacco products, he shall comply with the provisions of §§ 40.311 and 40.313.

When a manufacturer of tobacco products desires to destroy tobacco products which have been entered in the factory record as manufactured or received, without salvaging the tobacco, he shall notify the appropriate TTB officer by letter, in duplicate, of the kind and quantity of tobacco products to be destroyed, the intended method of destruction, and the date on which he desires to destroy such products. The appropriate TTB officer may assign an appropriate TTB officer to supervise destruction of the tobacco products or he may authorize the manufacturer to destroy such products without supervision by so stating on a copy of the manufacturer's notice returned to the manufacturer. When so authorized by the appropriate TTB officer, the manufacturer shall destroy the tobacco products by burning completely or by rendering them unfit for consumption. Upon completion of the destruction, the manufacturer shall make an entry of such destruction in his factory record, and where destruction without supervision is authorized, shall record the date and method of destruction on the notice returned to him by the appropriate TTB officer, which notice the manufacturer shall retain. Where the manufacturer intends to file claim for credit, allowance, or refund of tax on such products he shall comply with the provisions of §§ 40.311 and 40.313.

A manufacturer of tobacco products may receive in bond into his factory tobacco products and may also receive into his factory tobacco products on which the tax has been determined (including products on which the tax has been paid). Cigars and cigarettes on which the tax has been determined which are so received shall be segregated and identified as products on which the tax has been determined. If tax determined products received into the factory are so handled that they cannot be identified both physically and in the records as tax determined products they shall be accounted for as returned to bond and upon subsequent removal shall be tax determined. Where returned tax determined tobacco products are to be repackaged without being returned to bond the manufacturer shall make application for authorization to do so to the appropriate TTB officer in accordance with § 40.217. Where the manufacturer intends to file claim for credit, allowance, or refund of tax on tax determined products he shall comply with the provisions of §§ 40.311 and 40.313.

Whenever a manufacturer of tobacco products makes a physical inventory of packaged tobacco products in bond, either as part of normal operations or when required by an appropriate TTB officer, and such inventory discloses a shortage or overage in such products by kind as recorded and reported (i.e., small cigars, large cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco, or roll-your-own tobacco), the manufacturer shall enter such shortage or overage in the records required by § 40.183. Shortages or overages in inventories made at different times may not be used to offset each other, but shall be recorded and reported separately. Unless the manufacturer establishes that a shortage was not caused by a removal subject to the tax the manufacturer shall determine the tax on any shortage, make an adjustment in Schedule A of his next semimonthly tax return and pay the tax thereon. If, after paying the tax on a shortage, the manufacturer satisfactorily establishes that the shortage was not caused by a removal subject to tax, then such payment would be an overpayment of tax which the manufacturer may recover as provided in § 40.286. Where the manufacturer can establish prior to paying the tax on a shortage, that the shortage was not the result of a removal subject to tax he shall submit an explanation of such shortage with his report for the month in which the shortage was disclosed and, if appropriate, he may file claim for remission of tax liability as provided in § 40.287. When an overage is disclosed which the manufacturer can explain, he shall include such explanation in his monthly report and refund of any overpayment may be recovered as provided in § 40.286. Whenever a physical inventory discloses a shortage or overage of tobacco products which have not been packaged the manufacturer shall appropriately enter such shortage or overage in his records and shall, at the time required by the appropriate TTB officer, furnish an explanation in the form of a claim for remission of tax liability as provided in § 40.287. The manufacturer shall pay the tax on any shortage or portion thereof for which he is unable to furnish an explanation acceptable to the appropriate TTB officer.

The minimum manufacturing and activity requirement prescribed in § 40.61(b) of this part is a continuing condition of a manufacturer's permit, that is, a permit to manufacture tobacco products is conditioned upon a person's principal business activity being the manufacture of tobacco products. A permit may be suspended, and subsequently revoked, if the person's principal business activity under such permit is to receive or transfer tobacco products in bond, or if the person has no activity under such permit for a period of one year. As a minimum activity requirement, the quantity of tobacco products manufactured under the permit must be equivalent to, or exceed, the quantity transferred or received in bond under the permit.

A manufacturer of tobacco products may be required to obtain authorization from the appropriate TTB officer with regard to the activities involving processed tobacco. See § 40.72. Such manufacturers also must maintain records and may be required to submit reports regarding such activities. See §§ 40.182 and 40.202.

A claim for abatement of the unpaid portion of the assessment of any tax on tobacco products or any liability in respect thereof, may be allowed to the extent that such assessment is excessive in amount, is assessed after expiration of the applicable period of limitation, or is erroneously or illegally assessed. Any claim under this section shall be prepared on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate, and shall set forth the particulars under which the claim is filed. The original of the claim, accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid, shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer, and the duplicate of the claim shall be retained by the manufacturer.

Relief from the payment of tax on tobacco products may be extended to a manufacturer by allowance of the tax where the tobacco products after removal from the factory upon determination of tax and prior to the payment of such tax, are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of the manufacturer who removed such products, or are withdrawn by him from the market. Any claim for allowance under this section shall be filed on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate, with the appropriate TTB officer, and shall show the date the tobacco products were removed from the factory. A claim relating to products lost or destroyed shall be supported as prescribed in § 40.301. In the case of a claim relating to tobacco products withdrawn from the market the schedule prescribed in § 40.311 shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. The manufacturer may not anticipate allowance of his claim by making the adjusting entry in a tax return pending consideration and action on the claim. Tobacco products to which such a claim relates must be shown as removed on determination of tax in the return covering the period during which such products were so removed. Upon action on the claim by the appropriate TTB officer he will return the copy of TTB F 5620.8 to the manufacturer as notice of such action, which copy, with the copy of any verified supporting schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer. When such notification of allowance of the claim or any part thereof is received prior to the time the return covering the tax on the tobacco products to which the claim relates is to be filed, the manufacturer may make an adjusting entry and explanatory statement in that tax return. Where the notice of allowance is received after the filing of the return and taxpayment of the tobacco products to which the claim relates, the manufacturer may make an adjusting entry and explanatory statement in the next tax return(s) to the extent necessary to take credit in the amount of the allowance.

The taxes paid on tobacco products may be credited or refunded (without interest) to a manufacturer on proof satisfactory to the appropriate TTB officer that the claimant manufacturer paid the tax on tobacco products lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of such manufacturer, or withdrawn by him from the market. Any claim for credit or refund under this section shall be prepared on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate. Claims shall include a statement that the tax imposed on tobacco products by 26 U.S.C. 7652 or chapter 52, was paid in respect to the tobacco products covered by the claim, and that the products were lost, destroyed, or withdrawn from the market within 6 months preceding the date the claim is filed. A claim for credit or refund relating to products lost or destroyed shall be supported as prescribed in § 40.301, and a claim relating to products withdrawn from the market shall be accompanied by a schedule prepared and verified as prescribed in §§ 40.311 and 40.313. The original and one copy of TTB F 5620.8, claim for credit, or the original of TTB F 5620.8, claim for refund, shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. Upon action by the appropriate TTB officer on a claim for credit he will return the copy of TTB F 5620.8 to the manufacturer as notification of allowance or disallowance of the claim or any part thereof, which copy, with the copy of any verified supporting schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer. When the manufacturer is notified of allowance of the claim for credit or any part thereof he shall make an adjusting entry and explanatory statement in the next tax return(s) to the extent necessary to take credit in the amount of the allowance. Prior to consideration and action on his claim the manufacturer may not anticipate allowance of his claim by taking credit in his tax return. The duplicate of a claim for refund, with the copy of any verified supporting schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer.

Remission of the tax liability on tobacco products may be extended to the manufacturer liable for the tax where tobacco products in bond are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of such manufacturer. Where tobacco products are so lost or destroyed the manufacturer shall report promptly such fact, and the circumstances, to the appropriate TTB officer. If the manufacturer wishes to be relieved of the tax liability thereon he shall also prepare a claim on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate, setting forth the nature, date, place, and extent of the loss or destruction. Both copies of the claim, accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid, shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. Upon action on the claim by the appropriate TTB officer he will return the copy of TTB F 5620.8 to the manufacturer as notice of such action, which copy shall be retained by the manufacturer.

Where an error in computation of the quantity of tobacco products or in computation of the amount of tax due results in an overpayment and such error is specifically identified and supported by records, the manufacturer may file claim for refund or may make an adjustment in his semimonthly tax return as provided in § 40.164. (Section 6511, 26 U.S.C., provides that, in most cases, any adjustment of claim for refund of an overpayment of tax on tobacco products must be made or filed within three years after the tax is paid.) If the manufacturer elects to file a claim for refund of an overpayment resulting from such a computational error, he shall do so on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate. The original shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer, and the duplicate retained by the manufacturer. Where an overpayment of tax on tobacco products results from other than a computational error any claim for refund or credit shall be made in accordance with subpart A of part 46 of this chapter.

Whenever a manufacturer of tobacco products desires to submit a claim for remission of tax liability on shortages of tobacco products in bond, disclosed by physical inventory as set forth in § 40.255, he shall prepare such claim on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate. Both copies of the claim shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. The claim shall specify the quantities of tobacco products on which claim is made and the tax liability in respect thereof, and shall set forth the circumstances surrounding the shortage and the reason the manufacturer believes tax is not due or payable. The appropriate TTB officer will, after such investigation as he deems appropriate, allow the claim to the extent he is satisfied the shortage was due to operating losses such as damage during grading, sorting, or packaging, and was not caused by theft or other unlawful or improper removal. Upon action on the claim by the appropriate TTB officer he will return the copy of TTB F 5620.8 to the manufacturer as notice of such action, which copy shall be retained by the manufacturer.

Where tobacco products are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, and the manufacturer desires to file a claim for the tax on such products under the provisions of § 40.282 or § 40.283, he shall indicate on the claim the nature, date, place, and extent of such loss or destruction. The claim shall be accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid.

(a) General. Where tobacco products are withdrawn from the market and the manufacturer desires to file claim under the provisions of § 40.282 or § 40.283, he shall assemble the products in or adjacent to a factory if they are to be returned to bond or at any suitable place if they are to be destroyed or reduced to materials. The manufacturer shall group the products according to the rates of tax applicable to the products, and shall prepare a schedule of the products, on TTB Form 5200.7, in triplicate. All copies of the schedule shall be forwarded to the appropriate TTB officer.

(b) Large cigars. Refund or credit of tax on large cigars withdrawn from the market is limited to the lowest tax paid on that brand and size of cigar during the required record retention period (see § 40.185), except where the manufacturer establishes that a greater amount was actually paid. For each claim involving large cigars withdrawn from the market, the manufacturer must include a certification on either Form 5200.7 or TTB F 5620.8 to read as follows:

Upon receipt of a schedule of tobacco products withdrawn from the market, the appropriate TTB officer may assign a TTB officer to verify the schedule and supervise disposition of the tobacco products (and destruction of the stamps, if any), or he may authorize the manufacturer to dispose of the products (and destroy the stamps, if any) without supervision by so stating on the original and one copy of the schedule returned to the manufacturer.

When so authorized, as evidenced by the appropriate TTB officer's statement on the schedule, the manufacturer shall dispose of the tobacco products (and destroy the stamps, if any) as specified in the schedule. After the manufacturer has disposed of the products (and destroyed the stamps, if any), he shall execute a certificate on both copies of the schedule returned to him by the appropriate TTB officer, to show the disposition and the date of disposition of the products (and stamps, if any). In connection with a claim for allowance the manufacturer then shall return the original of the schedule to the appropriate TTB officer who authorized such disposition, who will cause such schedule to be associated with the claim, TTB F 5620.8, filed under § 40.282. In connection with a claim for credit or refund the manufacturer shall attach the original of the schedule to his claim for credit, TTB F 5620.8, or claim for refund, TTB F 5620.8, filed under § 40.283. When an appropriate TTB officer is assigned to verify the schedule and supervise disposition of the tobacco products, such officer shall, upon completion of his assignment, execute a certificate on all copies of the schedule to show the disposition and the date of disposition of the products. In connection with a claim for allowance the officer shall return one copy of the schedule to be included in the manufacturers records, and in connection with a claim for credit or refund, the officer shall return the original and one copy of the schedule to the manufacturer, the original of which the manufacturer shall attach to the claim, TTB F 5620.8, filed under § 40.283.

Cigarette papers are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(c):

Cigarette tubes are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(d):

The manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes shall be liable for the taxes imposed on such articles by 26 U.S.C. 5701. When a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes transfers such papers and tubes without payment of tax, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 5704 to the bonded premises of another such manufacturer, a manufacturer of tobacco products, or an export warehouse proprietor, the transferee shall become liable for the tax upon receipt of such papers and tubes and the transferor shall thereupon be relieved of liability for the tax. When cigarette papers and tubes are released in bond from customs custody for transfer to the bonded premises of a manufacturer of such papers and tubes or a manufacturer of tobacco products, the transferee shall become liable for the tax on the papers and tubes upon release from customs custody. Any person who possesses cigarette papers and tubes in violation of 26 U.S.C. 5751(a) (1) or (2), shall be liable for a tax equal to the rate of tax applicable to such articles.

Except for removals without payment of tax and transfers in bond, as authorized by law, no cigarette papers and tubes shall be removed until the taxes imposed by section 5701, I.R.C., have been determined. The payment of taxes on cigarette papers and tubes which are removed on determination of tax shall be made by return in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.

(a) Requirement for filing. A manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes shall file, for each factory, a semimonthly tax return on TTB Form 5000.24. A return shall be filed for each semimonthly return period regardless of whether cigarette papers and tubes were removed subject to tax or whether tax is due for that particular return period.

(b) Waiver from filing. The manufacturer need not file a return for each semimonthly return period if cigarette papers and tubes were not removed subject to tax during the period and the appropriate TTB officer has granted a waiver from filing in response to a written request from the manufacturer.

(c) Semimonthly return periods. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (g) of this section, semimonthly return periods run from the 1st day of the month through the 15th day of that month, and from the 16th day of the month through the last day of that month.

(d) Preparation and filing. The return shall be executed and filed with TTB in accordance with the instructions on the form.

(e) Remittance of tax. Except as provided in § 40.357, remittance of the tax, if any, shall accompany the return.

(f) Time for filing. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (g) of this section, for each semimonthly return period, the return shall be filed not later than the 14th day after the last day of the return period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

(g) Special rule for taxes due for the month of September. (1) Division of second semimonthly period. (i) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, the second semimonthly period for the month of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 26th day, and from the 27th day through the 30th day. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 16-26, no later than September 29. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 27-30, no later than October 14.

(ii) Taxpayment not by electronic fund transfer. In the case of taxes for which remittance by electronic fund transfer (EFT) is not required by § 40.357, the second semimonthly period of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 25th day, and from the 26th day through the 30th day. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 16-25, no later than September 28. The manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 26-30, no later than October 14.

(2) Amount of payment—Safe harbor rule. (i) General. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 29 is not less than 11/15ths (73.3 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15th, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14th.

(ii) Taxpayment not by EFT. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 28 is not less than 2/3rds (66.7 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14.

(3) Weekends and holidays. If the required taxpayment due date for the period September 16-25 or September 16-26, as applicable, falls on a Saturday, or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day. If the required due date falls on a Sunday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately following day.

Adjustments may be made in Schedules A and B of the manufacturer's semimonthly tax return, TTB Form 5000.24, as provided in this section. Schedule A of the return will be used where an unintentional error in a previous return resulted in an underpayment of tax. Schedule B of the return will be used where an unintentional error in a previous return resulted in an overpayment of tax, or where notice has been received from the appropriate TTB officer that a claim for allowance of tax has been approved. In the case of an overpayment, the manufacturer shall have the option of filing a claim on TTB TTB F 5620.8 for refund or taking credit in Schedule B of the return, both subject to the period of limitations prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 6511. Any adjustment made in a return must be fully explained in the appropriate schedule or in a statement attached to and made a part of the return in which such adjustment is made.

(a) General. (1) Each taxpayer who was liable, during a calendar year, for a gross amount equal to or exceeding five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 41 of this chapter, shall use a commercial bank in making payment by electronic fund transfer (EFT) of taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes during the succeeding calendar year. Payment of taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes in any other form of remittance, as authorized in § 40.355, is not authorized for a taxpayer who is required, by this section, to make remittances by EFT. For purposes of this section, the dollar amount of tax liability is defined as the gross tax liability on all taxable withdrawals and importations (including tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes brought into the United States from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands) during the calendar year, without regard to any drawbacks, credits, or refunds, for all premises from which such activities are conducted by the taxpayer. Overpayments are not taken into account in summarizing the gross tax liability.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a taxpayer includes a controlled group of corporations, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 1563, and implementing regulations in 26 CFR §§ 1.563-1 through 1.1563-4. Also, the rules for a “controlled group of corporations” apply in a similar fashion to groups which include partnerships and/or sole proprietorships. If one entity maintains more than 50% control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole proprietorships, all of the members of the controlled group are one taxpayer for the purpose of determining who is required to make remittances by EFT.

(3) A taxpayer who is required by this section to make remittances by EFT shall make a separate EFT remittance and file a separate return, TTB Form 5000.24, for each factory from which cigarette papers or cigarette tubes are withdrawn upon determination of tax.

(b) Requirements. (1) On or before January 10 of each calendar year, except for a taxpayer already remitting the tax by EFT, each taxpayer who was liable for a gross amount equal to or exceeding five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 41 of this chapter during the previous calendar year, shall notify, in writing, the appropriate TTB officer. The notice shall be an agreement to make remittances by EFT.

(2) For each return filed in accordance with this part, the taxpayer shall direct the taxpayer's bank to make an electronic fund transfer in the amount of the taxpayment to the Department of the Treasury's General Account or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The request shall be made to the bank early enough for the transfer to be made to the Treasury Account by no later than the close of business on the last day for filing the return, prescribed in § 40.355. The request shall take into account any time limit established by the bank.

(3) If a taxpayer was liable for less than five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 41 of this chapter during the preceding calendar year, the taxpayer may choose either to continue remitting the tax as provided in this section or to remit the tax with the return as prescribed by § 40.355. Upon filing the first return on which the taxpayer chooses to discontinue remitting the tax by EFT and to begin remitting the tax with the tax return, the taxpayer shall notify the appropriate TTB officer by attaching a written notification to TTB Form 5000.24, stating that no taxes are due by EFT, because the tax liability during the preceding calendar year was less than five million dollars, and that the remittance shall be filed with the tax return.

(c) Remittance. (1) Each taxpayer shall show on the return, TTB Form 5000.24, information about remitting the tax for that return period by EFT and shall file the return with TTB, in accordance with the instructions of TTB Form 5000.24.

(2) Remittances shall be considered as made when the taxpayment by EFT is received by the Treasury Account. For purposes of this section, a taxpayment by EFT shall be considered as received by the Treasury Account when it is paid to a Federal Reserve Bank.

(3) When the taxpayer directs the bank to effect an EFT message as required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section, any transfer data record furnished to the taxpayer, through normal banking procedures, will serve as the record of payment, and shall be retained as part of required records.

(d) Failure to make a taxpayment by EFT. The taxpayer is subject to a penalty imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5761, 6651, or 6656, as applicable, for failure to make a taxpayment by EFT on or before the close of business on the prescribed last day for filing.

(e) Procedure. Upon the notification required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer will issue to the taxpayer an TTB Procedure entitled Payment of Tax by Electronic Fund Transfer. This publication outlines the procedure a taxpayer is to follow when preparing returns and EFT remittances in accordance with this part. The U.S. Customs Service will provide the taxpayer with instructions for preparing EFT remittances for payments to be made to the U.S. Customs Service.

Whenever any person required by law to pay tax on cigarette papers and tubes fails to pay such tax, the tax shall be ascertained and assessed against such person, subject to the limitations prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 6501. The tax so assessed shall be in addition to the penalties imposed by law for failure to pay such tax when required. Except in cases where delay may jeopardize collection of the tax, or where the amount is nominal or the result of an evident mathematical error, no such assessment shall be made until and after notice has been afforded such person to show cause against assessment. The person will be allowed 45 days from the date of such notice to show cause, in writing, against such assessment.

Each manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes who has neither secured an EIN nor made application therefor shall file an application on IRS Form SS-4. IRS Form SS-4 may be obtained from any service center director or from any district director. Such application shall be filed on or before the seventh day after the date on which any tax return under this subpart is filed. Each manufacturer shall make application for and shall be assigned only one EIN for all internal revenue purposes.

The application on IRS form SS-4, together with any supplementary statement, shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable form, instructions, and regulations, and the data called for shall be set forth fully and clearly. The application shall be filed with the service center director serving the internal revenue district where the applicant is required to file returns under this subpart, except that hand-carried applications may be filed with the district director of any such district as provided for in 26 CFR § 301.6091-1. The application shall be signed by:

(a) The individual if the person is an individual;

(b) The president, vice president, or other principal officer if the person is a corporation;

(c) A responsible and duly authorized member or officer having knowledge of its affairs if the person is a partnership or other unincorporated organization; or

(d) The fiduciary if the person is a trust or estate.

(a) Manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes. Every manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes shall pay a special (occupational) tax at a rate specified by § 40.372 of this part. The tax shall be paid on or before July 1. On commencing business, the tax shall be computed from the first day of the month in which liability is incurred, through the following June 30. Thereafter, the tax shall be computed for the entire year (July 1 through June 30).

(b) Each place of business taxable. A manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes incurs special tax liability at each place of business in which an occupation subject to special tax is conducted. A place of business means the entire office, plant or area of the business in any one location under the same proprietorship. Passageways, streets, highways, rail crossings, waterways, or partitions dividing the premises are not sufficient separation to require additional special tax, if the divisions of the premises are otherwise contiguous.

(c) Payment of tax. Special tax must be paid by return. The prescribed return is TTB Form 5630.5t, Special Tax Registration and Return—Tobacco. Special tax returns, with payment of tax, must be filed with TTB in accordance with the instructions on the form and the requirements of subpart D of part 46 of this chapter.

For additional rules pertaining to liability for special tax, filing special tax returns, issuance and examination of special tax stamps, and notification of changes to special tax stamps, see subpart D of part 46 of this chapter.

The appropriate TTB officer may enter in the daytime any premises where cigarette papers and tubes are produced or kept, so far as it may be necessary for the purpose of examining such articles. When such premises are open at night, the appropriate TTB officer may enter them, while so open, in the performance of his or her official duties. The owner of such premises, or person having the superintendence of the same, who refuses to admit the appropriate TTB officer or permit the appropriate TTB officer to examine such cigarette papers and tubes shall be liable to the penalties prescribed by law for the offense.

Whoever, corruptly or by force or threats of force, endeavors to hinder or obstruct the administration of this subpart, or endeavors to intimidate or impede any TTB officer acting in an official capacity, or forcibly rescues or attempts to rescue or causes to be rescued any property, after it has been duly seized for forfeiture to the United States in connection with a violation or intended violation of this subpart, shall be liable to the penalties prescribed by law.

A manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, on specific approval by the appropriate TTB officer as provided in this section, may use an alternate method or procedure in lieu of a method or procedure specifically prescribed in this subpart. The appropriate TTB officer may approve an alternate method or procedure, subject to stated conditions, when the appropriate TTB officer finds that—

(a) Good cause has been shown for the use of the alternate method or procedure,

(b) The alternate method or procedure is within the purpose of, and consistent with the effect intended by, the specifically prescribed method or procedure, and affords equivalent security to the revenue, and

(c) The alternate method or procedure will not be contrary to any provision of law, and will not result in an increase in cost to the Government or hinder the effective administration of this subpart.

No alternate method or procedure relating to the giving of any bond or to the assessment, payment, or collection of tax, shall be authorized under this section. A manufacturer who desires to employ an alternate method or procedure shall submit a written application, in triplicate, to the appropriate TTB officer. The application shall specifically describe the proposed alternate method or procedure, and shall set forth the reasons therefor. Alternate methods or procedures shall not be employed until the application has been approved by the appropriate TTB officer. The manufacturer shall, during the period of authorization of an alternate method or procedure, comply with the terms of the approved application. Authorization for any alternate method or procedure may be withdrawn whenever, in the judgment of the appropriate TTB officer, the revenue is jeopardized or the effective administration of this part is hindered. Any authorization of the appropriate TTB officer under this section shall be retained as part of the manufacturer's record in accordance with this subpart.

The appropriate TTB officer may approve methods of operation other than as specified in this subpart, where it is determined that an emergency exists and the proposed variations from the specified requirements are necessary, and the proposed variations—

(a) Will afford the security and protection to the revenue intended by the prescribed specifications;

(b) Will not hinder the effective administration of this subpart; and

(c) Will not be contrary to any provision of law. Variations from requirements granted under this section are conditioned on compliance with the procedures, conditions, and limitations set forth in the approval of the application. Failure to comply in good faith with such procedures, conditions and limitations shall automatically terminate the authority for such variations and the manufacturer thereupon shall fully comply with the prescribed requirements of regulations from which the variations were authorized. Authority for any variation may be withdrawn whenever in the judgment of the appropriate TTB officer the revenue is jeopardized or the effective administration of this subpart is hindered by the continuation of such variation. Where a manufacturer desires to employ such variation, the manufacturer shall submit a written application to do so (in triplicate) to the appropriate TTB officer. The application shall describe the proposed variations and set forth the reasons therefor. Variations shall not be employed until the application has been approved. In accordance with this subpart, any authorization of the appropriate TTB officer under this section shall be retained as part of the manufacturer's records.

Anyone who fails to comply with the provisions of this subpart becomes liable to the civil and criminal penalties, and forfeitures, provided by law.

Every person who manufactures cigarette paper, or makes up cigarette paper into tubes, except for his own personal use or consumption, must first qualify as a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.

Every person, before commencing business as a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, shall file a bond on TTB F 5200.25 or 5200.26. Such bond shall be filed in accordance with the applicable provisions of §§ 40.401 through 40.410 and conditioned upon compliance with the provisions of 26 U.S.C. Chapter 52, and regulations thereunder, including, but not limited to, the timely payment of taxes imposed by such chapter and penalties and interest in connection therewith for which the manufacturer may become liable to the United States.

If the bond or any other document required under this part is signed by an attorney in fact for an individual, partnership, association, company, or corporation, by one of the partners for a partnership, or by one of the members of an association, a power of attorney on TTB F 5000.8 shall be furnished to the appropriate TTB officer. If such bond or other document is signed on behalf of a corporation by an officer thereof, it must be supported by duly authenticated extracts of the stockholders' meeting, by-laws, or directors' meeting authorizing such officer to execute such document for the corporation. TTB F 5000.8 or support of authority does not have to be filed again with a appropriate TTB officer where such form or support has previously been submitted to that appropriate TTB officer and is still in effect.

If the bond required under this subpart is approved by the appropriate TTB officer, a number will be assigned to the factory of the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes for internal revenue purposes. The appropriate TTB officer will immediately notify the manufacturer, in writing, of the bond approval, in order that the manufacturer may commence operations.

Where there is a change in the individual, trade, or corporate name of a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of the change, furnish the appropriate TTB officer a written notice of such change.

Where there is to be any change in proprietorship (including a change in the identity of the members of a partnership or association, but excluding any change in stock ownership in a corporation) of the business of a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, the proposed successor shall, before commencing operations, qualify as a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, in accordance with this part. If such manufacturer promptly files the required documentation with the appropriate TTB officer, an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary successor may liquidate the business without qualifying as a manufacturer. The manufacturer must promptly file with the appropriate TTB officer a statement of the intent to liquidate and furnish a certified copy of the order of the court, or other pertinent documents. These documents must show the appointment and qualification of any administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary, together with an extension of coverage of the predecessor's bond executed by the administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary and the surety, in accordance with the provisions of § 40.407. The predecessor shall make a closing inventory and closing report in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.434 and 40.426, respectively, and the successor shall make an opening inventory and opening report, in accordance with the provision of §§ 40.432 and 40.423, respectively.

Whenever a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes contemplates a change in location of a factory within the same region, the manufacturer shall, before commencing operations at the new location, file an extension of coverage of bond in accordance with the provisions of § 40.407. Whenever a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes contemplates changing the location of a factory to another region, the manufacturer shall, before commencing operations at the new location, qualify as a manufacturer in the new region, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this subpart, and make a closing inventory and closing report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.434 and 40.426, respectively.

(a) Surety bonds required by this subpart may be given only with corporate sureties holding certificates of authority from, and subject to any limitations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury as set forth in the current revision of Treasury Department Circular No. 570 (Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies). The surety shall have no interest whatever in the business covered by the bond.

(b) Each bond and each extension of coverage of bond shall at the time of filing be accompanied by a power of attorney authorizing the agent or officer who executed the bond to so act on behalf of the surety. The appropriate TTB officer who is authorized to approve the bond may, whenever deemed necessary, require additional evidence of the authority of the agent or officer to execute the bond or extension of coverage of bond. The power of attorney shall be prepared on a form provided by the surety company and executed under the corporate seal of the company. If the power of attorney submitted is other than a manually signed document, it shall be accompanied by a certificate of its validity.

(c) Treasury Department Circular No. 570 is published in the Federal Register annually as of the first workday in July. As they occur, interim revisions of the circular are published in the Federal Register. Copies may be obtained from the Surety Bond Branch, Financial Management Service, Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C. 20220.

A bond executed by two or more corporate sureties shall be the joint and several liability of the principal and the sureties. However, each corporate surety may limit its liability in terms upon the face of the bond in a definite, specific amount, which amount shall not exceed the limitations prescribed for such corporate surety by the Secretary, as set forth in the current revision of Treasury Department Circular 570 (Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies). (See § 40.401(c)) When the sureties so limit their liability, the aggregate of such limited liabilities must equal the required amount of the bond.

In lieu of corporate surety, the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes may pledge and deposit, as security for the bond, securities which are transferable and are guaranteed as to both interest and principal by the United States, in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR Part 225—Acceptance of Bonds, Notes or Other Obligations Issued or Guaranteed by the United States as Security in Lieu of Surety or Sureties on Penal Bonds.

The amount of the bond of a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes shall be not less than the maximum amount of the tax liability on the cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in the factory, received without payment of tax from other factories, and released without payment of tax from customs custody as provided in § 40.452, during any month. In the case of a manufacturer commencing business, the production, receipts from other factories, and releases from customs custody, without payment of tax, shall be estimated for the purpose of this section. The amount of any such bond (or the total amount where strengthening bonds are filed) shall not exceed $20,000, nor be less than $1,000.

Where the appropriate TTB officer determines that the amount of the bond, under which a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes is currently carrying on such business, no longer adequately protects the revenue, the appropriate TTB officer may require the manufacturer to file a strengthening bond in an appropriate amount with the same surety as that on the bond already in effect, in lieu of a superseding bond to cover the full liability on the basis of § 40.404. The appropriate TTB officer shall refuse to approve any strengthening bond where any notation is made thereon which is intended or which may be construed as a release of any former bond, or as limiting the amount of either bond to less than its full amount.

A manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes shall file a new bond to supersede the current bond immediately when:

(a) The corporate surety on the current bond becomes insolvent,

(b) The appropriate TTB officer approves a request from the surety of the current bond to terminate liability under the bond,

(c) Payment of any liability under a bond is made by the surety thereon, or

(d) The appropriate TTB officer considers such a superseding bond necessary for the protection of the revenue.

An extension of the coverage of bond filed under this subpart shall be manifested on TTB F 5000.18, Extension of Coverage of Bond, by the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes and by the surety on the bond with the same formality and proof of authority as required for the execution of the bond.

No person shall commence operations under any bond, nor extend operations, until such person receives from the appropriate TTB officer notice of approval of the bond or an appropriate extension of coverage of the bond required under this subpart. Upon receipt of an approved bond or extension of coverage of bond from the appropriate TTB officer, such bond or extension of coverage of bond shall be retained by the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes in factory and shall be made available for inspection by any TTB officer upon request.

The liability of a surety on any bond required by this subpart shall be terminated only as to operations on and after the effective date of a superseding bond, or the date of approval of the discontinuance of operations by the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, or otherwise in accordance with the termination provisions of the bond. The surety shall remain bound in respect of any liability for unpaid taxes, penalties and interest, not in excess of the amount of the bond, incurred by the manufacturer while the bond is in force.

Securities of the United States pledged and deposited as provided in § 40.403 shall be released only in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR part 225. Such securities will not be released by the appropriate TTB officer until liability under the bond for which they were pledged has been terminated. When the appropriate TTB officer is satisfied that they may be released, the appropriate TTB officer shall fix the date or dates on which a part or all of such securities may be released. At any time prior to the release of such securities, the appropriate TTB officer may extend the date of release for such additional length of time as is deemed necessary.

(a) Every manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes must keep records of daily operations and transactions. Records maintained must reflect the date and number of cigarette papers and the date and number of cigarette tubes:

(1) Manufactured;

(2) Received, without payment of tax from another factory, an export warehouse, customs custody, or by withdrawal from the market;

(3) Removed, subject to tax;

(4) Removed, without payment of tax, for export purposes, use of the United States or transfer in bond pursuant to § 40.451; or

(5) Lost or destroyed.

(b) The entries for each day in the records maintained or kept under this subpart must be made by the close of the business day following that on which the operations or transactions occur. No particular form of records is prescribed, but the information required must be readily ascertainable from the records kept.

(c) Records maintained under this section prior to January 1, 2000, must reflect the date and number of books or sets of cigarette papers of each different numerical content and the date and number of cigarette tubes.

Every manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes must prepare a report on TTB Form 5230.3 in accordance with instructions for the form. The report must be prepared at the times specified in this subpart and must be prepared whether or not any operations or transactions occurred during the period covered by the report. The manufacturer must retain a copy of each report in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.

(a) Reports for periods on or after January 1, 2000. Reports submitted must reflect the total number of cigarette papers and cigarette tubes manufactured, received and lost or destroyed.

(b) Reports for periods prior to January 1, 2000. Reports submitted must reflect the number of books or sets of cigarette papers of each different numerical content and the number of cigarette tubes manufactured, received, removed and lost or destroyed.

An opening report, covering the period from the date of the opening inventory to the end of the month, shall be made on or before the 10th day following the end of the month in which the business was commenced.

A report for each calendar month shall be made on or before the 20th day of the next succeeding month.

A special report, covering the unreported period to the day preceding the date of any special inventory required by an appropriate TTB officer, shall be made with such inventory. Another report, covering the period from the date of the special inventory to the end of the month, shall be made on or before the 14th day following the end of the month in which the inventory was made.

A closing report, covering the period from the first of the month to the date of the closing inventory, shall be made with such inventory.

Every manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes must provide a true and accurate inventory on TTB Form 5230.2 in accordance with instructions for the form. Such inventory is subject to verification by the appropriate TTB officer. The manufacturer must retain a copy of each inventory completed on TTB Form 5230.2 in accordance with this subpart.

(a) Reports of inventory for periods on or after January 1, 2000. Reports of inventory submitted must reflect the total number of cigarette papers and cigarette tubes held at the times specified in the subpart.

(b) Reports of inventory for periods prior to January 1, 2000. Reports of inventory submitted must reflect the number of books or sets of cigarette papers of each different numerical content and the number of cigarette tubes held at the times specified in this subpart.

An opening inventory shall be made by the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes at the time of first commencing business.

A special inventory shall be made by the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes when required by the appropriate TTB officer.

A closing inventory shall be made by the manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes when a change in proprietorship occurs, or when the manufacturer changes location of the factory to another region, or concludes business. Where a change in proprietorship occurs, the closing inventory shall be made as of the day preceding the date of the opening inventory of the successor.

All records and reports required to be kept or maintained under this subpart, including copies of authorizations, inventories, reports, returns, and claims filed with verified supporting schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer for three years following the close of the calendar year in which filed or made, or in the case of an authorization, for three years following the close of the calendar year in which the operation under such authorization is concluded. Such records shall be made available for inspection by the appropriate TTB officer upon request.

All cigarette papers and tubes shall, before removal subject to tax, be put up by the manufacturer in packages which shall be of such construction as will securely contain the papers or tubes therein. No package of cigarette papers or tubes shall have contained therein, attached thereto, or stamped, marked, written, or printed thereon:

(a) Any certificate, coupon, or other device purporting to be or to represent a ticket, chance, share, or an interest in, or dependent on, the event of a lottery,

(b) Any indecent or immoral picture, print, or representation, or

(c) Any statement or indication that United States tax has been paid.

A manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes may transfer such papers and tubes, under bond, without payment of tax, to the bonded premises of any manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, or to the bonded premises of a manufacturer of tobacco products solely for use in the manufacture of cigarettes. The transfer of cigarette papers and tubes, without payment of tax, to the bonded premises of an export warehouse proprietor shall be in accordance with the provisions of part 44 of this chapter.

Cigarette papers and tubes which were made in the United States, exported, and subsequently returned to the United States, may be removed from customs custody for transfer to the premises of a manufacturer without payment of the internal revenue tax, upon compliance with part 41 of this chapter.

A manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes may remove cigarette papers and tubes covered under bond, without payment of tax, for use of the United States. Such removal shall be in accordance with the provisions of part 45 of this chapter.

The removal of cigarette papers and tubes, without payment of tax, for shipment to a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, or for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, shall be in accordance with the provisions of part 44 of this chapter.

Every manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes who desires to discontinue operations and close out a factory shall dispose of all cigarette papers and tubes on hand, in accordance with this subpart, and make a closing inventory and closing report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.434 and 40.426, respectively.

A claim for abatement of the unpaid portion of the assessment of any tax on cigarette papers and tubes, or any liability in respect thereof, may be allowed to the extent that such assessment is excessive in amount, is assessed after the expiration of the applicable period of limitation, or is erroneously or illegally assessed. Any claim under this section shall be prepared on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate, and shall set forth the particulars under which the claim is filed. The original of the claim, accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid, shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer.

Relief from the payment of tax on cigarette papers and tubes may be extended to a manufacturer by allowance of the tax where the cigarette papers and tubes, after removal from the factory upon determination of tax and prior to the payment of such tax, are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of the manufacturer who removed such articles, or are withdrawn by the manufacturer from the market. Any claim for allowance under this section shall be filed on TTB F 5620.8 with the appropriate TTB officer, shall be executed under penalties and perjury and shall show the date the cigarette papers and tubes were removed from the factory. A claim relating to articles lost or destroyed shall be supported as prescribed in § 40.475. In the case of a claim relating to cigarette papers or tubes withdrawn from the market the schedule prescribed in § 40.476 shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. The manufacturer may not anticipate allowance of a claim by making the adjusting entry in a tax return pending consideration and action on the claim. Cigarette papers and tubes to which such a claim relates must be shown as removed on determination of tax in the return covering the period during which such articles were so removed. Upon action on the claim by the appropriate TTB officer a copy of TTB F 5620.8 will be returned to the manufacturer as notice of such action. This copy of TTB F 5620.8, with the copy of any verified supporting schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer. When such notification of allowance of the claim or any part thereof is received prior to the time the return covering the tax on the cigarette papers or tubes to which the claim relates is to be filed, the manufacturer may make an adjusting entry and explanatory statement in that tax return. Where the notice of allowance is received after the filing of the return and taxpayment of the cigarette papers or tubes to which the claim relates, the manufacturer may make an adjusting entry and explanatory statement in the next tax return(s) to the extent necessary to take credit in the amount of the allowance.

The taxes paid on cigarette papers and tubes may be credited or refunded (without interest) to a manufacturer on proof satisfactory to the appropriate TTB officer that the claimant manufacturer paid the tax on cigarette papers and tubes lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of such manufacturer, or withdrawn by the manufacturer from the market. Any claim for credit or refund under this section shall be prepared on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate. Claims shall include a statement that the tax imposed on cigarette papers and tubes by 26 U.S.C. 7652 or Chapter 52, was paid in respect to the cigarette papers or tubes covered by the claim, and that the articles were lost, destroyed, or withdrawn from the market within 6 months preceding the date the claim is filed. A claim for credit or refund relating to articles lost or destroyed shall be supported as prescribed in § 40.475, and a claim relating to articles withdrawn from the market shall be accompanied by a schedule prepared and verified as prescribed in §§ 40.476, and 40.477. The original and one copy of TTB F 5620.8, shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. Upon action by the appropriate TTB officer on a claim for credit, a copy of TTB F 5620.8 will be returned to the manufacturer as notification of allowance or disallowance of the claim or any part thereof. This copy, with the copy of any verified supporting schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer. When the manufacturer is notified of allowance of the claim for credit or any part thereof, the manufacturer shall make an adjusting entry and explanatory statement in the next tax return(s) to the extent necessary to take credit in the amount of the allowance. The manufacturer may not anticipate allowance of a claim by taking credit on a tax return prior to consideration and action on such claim. The duplicate of a claim for refund or credit, with a copy of any verified supporting schedules, shall be retained by the manufacturer.

Remission of the tax liability on cigarette papers and tubes may be extended to the manufacturer liable for the tax where cigarette papers and tubes in bond are lost (other than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of such manufacturer. Where cigarette papers and tubes are so lost or destroyed the manufacturer shall report promptly such fact, and the circumstances, to the appropriate TTB officer. If the manufacturer wishes to be relieved of the tax liability, a claim on TTB F 5620.8, in duplicate, shall also be prepared, setting forth the nature, date, place, and extent of the loss or destruction. The original and one copy of the claim, accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid, shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. Upon action on the claim by the appropriate TTB officer, the copy of TTB F 5620.8 will be returned to the manufacturer as notice of such action, which copy shall be retained by the manufacturer.

Where cigarette papers and tubes are lost (other than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, and the manufacturer desires to file claim under the provisions of § 40.472 or § 40.473, the manufacturer shall indicate on the claim the nature, date, and extent of such loss or destruction. The claim shall be accompanied by such evidence as necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid.

Where cigarette papers and tubes are withdrawn from the market and the manufacturer desires to file claim under the provisions of § 40.472 or § 40.473, the manufacturer shall assemble the articles in or adjacent to a factory if they are to be retained in or received into such factory, or at any suitable place if they are to be destroyed. The manufacturer shall group the articles according to the rate of tax applicable thereto, and shall prepare and submit a schedule of the articles, on TTB Form 5200.7 in accordance with the instructions, on the form. All copies of the schedule shall be forwarded to the appropriate TTB officer.

Upon receipt of a schedule of cigarette papers and tubes withdrawn from the market, the appropriate TTB officer may assign a TTB officer to verify the schedule and supervise disposition of the cigarette papers and tubes, or may authorize the manufacturer to dispose of the articles without supervision by so stating on the original and one copy of the schedule returned to the manufacturer.

When so authorized, as evidenced by the appropriate TTB officer's statement on the schedule, the manufacturer shall dispose of the cigarette papers and tubes as specified in the schedule. After the articles are disposed of, the manufacturer shall execute a certificate on both copies of the schedule received from the appropriate TTB officer, to show the disposition and the date of disposition of the articles. In connection with a claim for credit or refund, the manufacturer shall attach the original of the schedule to the claim for credit or refund, TTB F 5620.8, filed under § 40.473. When an appropriate TTB officer is assigned to verify the schedule and supervise disposition of the cigarette papers and tubes, such officer shall, upon completion of the assignment, execute a certificate on all copies of the schedule to show the disposition and the date of disposition of the articles. In connection with a claim for allowance, the officer shall return one copy of the schedule to the manufacturer for the record, and in connection with a claim for credit or refund, the officer shall return the original and one copy of the schedule to the manufacturer, the original of which the manufacturer shall attach to the claim filed under § 40.473.

(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, every person who engages in the processing of tobacco must first qualify for and receive a permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.

(b) Exceptions. (1) A person who engages in the processing of tobacco solely for his own personal use or consumption and not for sale or transfer to another person is not engaged in the manufacture of processed tobacco for purposes of this part and, accordingly, is not required to qualify as a manufacturer of processed tobacco.

(2) Any person who holds a TTB permit for the manufacture of tobacco products is thereby authorized to process tobacco solely for use in the manufacture of tobacco products under that permit, so long as the processed tobacco is not removed from the factory for any purpose other than destruction. Such a manufacturer is not required to qualify under this subpart as a manufacturer of processed tobacco.

(3) Any person who holds a TTB permit for the manufacture of tobacco products who removes processed tobacco from the factory for any purpose other than destruction must apply for authorization from TTB to engage in that activity, in accordance with § 40.47, under the manufacturer's existing permit.

The application for a permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco must be made on TTB F 5200.3, according to the instructions on the form. All documents required under this subpart to be furnished with the application must be included with the application.

(a) Any person who:

(1) On April 1, 2009, is engaged in business as a manufacturer of processed tobacco; and

(2) On or before June 30, 2009, submits an application for a permit or authorization as provided in this part to engage in such business, may continue to engage in that business pending final action on the application.

(b) Pending final action on an application or request for authorization submitted under paragraph (a) of this section, all provisions of chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply to the applicant in the same manner and to the same extent as if the applicant were a holder of a permit to manufacture processed tobacco under chapter 52.

(c) Upon receipt of an application, the appropriate TTB officer will provide the applicant with a written acknowledgement that may be used for a limited period as confirmation of TTB authorization to engage in the business of a manufacturer of processed tobacco.

Every corporation that files an application for a permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco must furnish with its application for the permit required by § 40.492 a true copy of the corporate charter or a certificate of corporate existence or incorporation executed by the appropriate officer of the State in which incorporated. The corporation must likewise furnish duly authenticated extracts of the stockholders' meetings, bylaws, or directors' meetings, listing the offices the incumbents of which are authorized to sign documents or otherwise act in behalf of the corporation in matters relating to 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, and regulations issued thereunder. The corporation must also furnish evidence, in duplicate, of the identity of the officers and directors and each person who holds more than ten percent of the stock of such corporation. Where any of the information required by this section has previously been filed with the appropriate TTB officer and such information is currently complete and accurate, a written statement to that effect, in duplicate, will be sufficient for the purpose of this section.

Every partnership or association that files an application for a permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco must furnish with its application for the permit required by § 40.492 a true copy of the articles of partnership or association, if any, or certificate of partnership or association where required to be filed by any State, county, or municipality. Where a partnership or association has previously filed such documents with the appropriate TTB officer and such documents are currently complete and accurate, a written statement, in duplicate, to that effect by the partnership or association will be sufficient for the purpose of this section.

The appropriate TTB officer may require such additional information as deemed necessary to determine whether the applicant is entitled to a permit under this subpart. The applicant shall, when required by the appropriate TTB officer, furnish as a part of the application for the permit such additional information as may be necessary for the appropriate TTB officer to determine whether the applicant is entitled to a permit.

Appropriate TTB officers may inquire or investigate to verify the information in connection with an application for a permit. The investigation will ascertain whether the applicant is eligible for a permit. A permit may be denied if the applicant (including, in the case of a corporation, any officer, director, or principal stockholder and, in the case of a partnership, a partner)—

(a) Is, by reason of his business experience, financial standing, or trade connections or by reason of previous or current legal proceedings involving a felony violation of any other provision of Federal criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes, not likely to maintain operations in compliance with this chapter;

(b) Has been convicted of a felony violation of any provision of Federal or State criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes; or

(c) Has failed to disclose any material information required or made any material false statement in the application therefor.

If the appropriate TTB officer has reason to believe that the applicant is not entitled to a permit, the appropriate TTB officer will promptly give to the applicant notice of the contemplated disapproval of the application and opportunity for hearing thereon in accordance with part 71 of this chapter. If, after such notice and opportunity for hearing, the appropriate TTB officer finds that the applicant is not entitled to a permit, an order will be prepared stating the findings on which the permit request is denied.

If the application for permit, together with the supporting documents, required under this part is approved, the appropriate TTB officer will issue a permit on TTB F 5200.28 to the applicant as a manufacturer of processed tobacco.

The manufacturer must retain the permit, together with the copy of the application and supporting documents returned with the permit, at the same place where the records required by this subpart are kept. The permit and supporting documents must be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon request.

(a) Change in individual name. When there is a change in the name of an individual operating under a permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco, the manufacturer must, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for an amended permit.

(b) Change in trade name. When there is a change in a trade name used by a manufacturer of processed tobacco in connection with operations authorized by the permit, the manufacturer must, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for an amended permit to reflect such change. This requirement also applies to the addition or discontinuance of a trade name. The manufacturer must also furnish a true copy of any new trade name certificate or document issued to the manufacturer, or statement in lieu thereof, required by § 40.496.

(c) Change in corporate name. When there is a change in the corporate name of a manufacturer of processed tobacco, the manufacturer must, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for an amended permit. The manufacturer must also furnish such documents as may be necessary to establish that the corporate name has been changed.

(a) Fiduciary successor. If an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary is to take over the business of a manufacturer of processed tobacco as a continuing operation, such fiduciary shall, before commencing operations, make application for a permit in accordance with this subpart, furnish certified copies, in duplicate, of the order of the court, or other pertinent documents, showing his appointment and qualification as such fiduciary, and make a commencing inventory in accordance with § 40.523. However, where a fiduciary intends only to liquidate the business, qualification as a manufacturer of processed tobacco will not be required if such fiduciary promptly files with the appropriate TTB officer a written statement to that effect, in duplicate.

(b) Transfer of ownership. If a transfer in ownership of the business of a manufacturer of processed tobacco (including a change of any member of a partnership or association) is to be made, such manufacturer shall give notice, in writing, to the appropriate TTB officer, naming the proposed successor and the desired effective date of the transfer. The proposed successor shall, before commencing operations, qualify as a manufacturer of processed tobacco in accordance with this subpart. The manufacturer shall give notice of the transfer, and the proposed successor shall make application for permit, in ample time for examination and approval thereof before the desired date of such change. The predecessor shall make a concluding inventory and concluding report, in accordance with §§ 40.523 and 40.522, respectively, and surrender the permit with such inventory and report. The successor shall make a commencing inventory and first report, in accordance with §§ 40.523 and 40.522, respectively.

(c) Change in officers, directors, or stockholders of a corporation. Upon election or appointment (excluding successive reelection or reappointment) of any officer or director of a corporation operating the business of a manufacturer of processed tobacco, or upon any occurrence that results in a person acquiring ownership or control of more than ten percent in aggregate of the outstanding stock of such corporation, the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of such action, so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing, giving the identity of such person. When there is any change in the authority furnished under § 40.494 for officers to act in behalf of the corporation, the manufacturer shall immediately so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing.

(d) Change in control of corporation. When the issuance, sale, or transfer of the stock of a corporation operating as a manufacturer of processed tobacco results in a change in the identity of the principal stockholders exercising actual or legal control of the operations of the corporation, the corporate manufacturer shall, within 30 days after the change occurs, make application on TTB F 5200.3 for a new permit. Otherwise, the present permit shall be automatically terminated at the expiration of such 30-day period, and the manufacturer shall dispose of all processed tobacco on hand, make a concluding inventory and concluding report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.523 and 40.522, respectively, and surrender the permit with such inventory and report. If the application for a new permit is timely made, the present permit shall continue in effect pending final action with respect to such application.

Whenever a manufacturer of processed tobacco intends to relocate its factory, the manufacturer shall, before commencing operations at the new location, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for, and obtain, an amended permit. Whenever any change occurs in the address, but not the location, of the factory of a manufacturer of processed tobacco as a result of action of local authorities, the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5200.16 for an amended permit.

(a) Every manufacturer of processed tobacco and every manufacturer of tobacco products who removes processed tobacco from the factory for any purpose other than destruction must keep records of daily operations and transactions that show total quantity of processed tobacco:

(1) On hand;

(2) Used in the manufacture of tobacco products;

(3) Processed;

(4) Received, together with the name and address of the person from which it was received;

(5) Removed from the factory for shipment to a person holding a TTB permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco, a manufacturer of tobacco products, or an export warehouse proprietor, together with the name and address of the person to whom shipped or delivered;

(6) Removed from the factory for shipment to a person not holding a TTB permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco, a manufacturer of tobacco products, or an export warehouse proprietor;

(7) Removed from the factory for export;

(8) Removed for any purpose other than described in paragraphs (a)(5), (6), and (7) of this section;

(9) Lost, together with the circumstances of the loss; and

(10) Destroyed, together with the circumstances of the destruction.

(b) The records of any manufacturer of processed tobacco who removes processed tobacco from the factory for shipment to a person who does not hold a TTB permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco, as a manufacturer of tobacco products, or as an export warehouse proprietor must include dated, commercial records that show the following information about each removal under this paragraph:

(1) The full name and address (including city and State) of the purchaser (or recipient, if there is no purchaser);

(2) The full name, address (including city and State), and driver's license number of the person picking up the processed tobacco for delivery;

(3) The license number of the vehicle in which the processed tobacco is removed from the manufacturer's premises;

(4) The street address of the destination of the processed tobacco;

(5) The quantity of processed tobacco in the shipment;

(6) A declaration by the purchaser (or recipient, if no purchaser) of the specific purpose of the purchase or receipt (for example, delivery to another, resale); and

(7) A declaration by the purchaser (or recipient, if no purchaser) of the name and address of his or her principal when acting as an agent.

(c) The entries in the records of removals required under this section must be made for each day by the close of the business day following the day on which the removal occurs. Although no particular format for the records in this section is prescribed, the required information must be readily ascertainable from the records kept.

Every manufacturer of processed tobacco must provide a true and accurate inventory on TTB F 5210.9 in accordance with instructions for the form. The manufacturer must make such an inventory at the time of commencing business, at the time of transferring ownership, at the time of changing location of the factory, at the time of concluding business, and at such other time as any appropriate TTB officer may require. In the case of a manufacturer operating under the transitional rule set forth in § 40.493, that manufacturer must make an inventory within 10 days of the date of TTB's written acknowledgement of the receipt of the application filed under § 40.492. Each such inventory is subject to verification by the appropriate TTB officer.

Every manufacturer of processed tobacco must retain all records and reports required under this subpart, including copies of permits, authorizations, inventories, and reports, for three years following the close of the calendar year in which filed or made, or in the case of an authorization, for three years following the close of the calendar year in which the operation under such authorization is concluded. Such records shall be made available for inspection by the appropriate TTB officer upon request.

Every manufacturer of processed tobacco who desires to discontinue operations and close a factory must dispose of all processed tobacco on hand, make a concluding inventory and concluding report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 40.523 and 40.522, respectively, and surrender the permit to the appropriate TTB officer.

A permit to manufacture processed tobacco will only be granted to those persons engaged in the processing of tobacco. A permit may be suspended, and subsequently revoked, if the person has no activity under such permit for a period of one year. A person whose permit as a manufacturer of processed tobacco has been revoked for non-use, who wishes to engage in such business, must re-apply for such permit.

A permit to manufacture processed tobacco does not authorize packaging of processed tobacco. Packaging of processed tobacco may only occur on the bonded premises of a manufacturer of tobacco products.

Where the appropriate TTB officer has reason to believe that a manufacturer of processed tobacco has not in good faith complied with the provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, and regulations thereunder, or with any other provision of 26 U.S.C. with intent to defraud, or has violated any condition of his permit, or has failed to disclose any material information required or made any material false statement in the application for the permit, or is, by reason of previous or current legal proceedings involving a felony violation of any other provision of Federal criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes, not likely to maintain operations in compliance with 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, or has been convicted of a felony violation of any provision of Federal or State criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes, the appropriate TTB officer shall issue an order, stating the facts charged, citing such person to show cause why his permit should not be suspended or revoked. Such citation shall be issued and opportunity for hearing afforded in accordance with part 71 of this chapter, which part is applicable to such proceedings. If, after hearing, the hearing examiner, or on appeal, the Administrator, finds that such person has not shown cause why his permit should not be suspended or revoked, such permit shall be suspended for such period as the appropriate TTB officer deems proper or shall be revoked.

(a) General. A manufacturer of processed tobacco, on specific approval by the appropriate TTB officer as provided in this section, may use an alternate method or procedure in lieu of a method or procedure specifically prescribed in this subpart. The appropriate TTB officer may approve an alternate method or procedure, subject to stated conditions, when the appropriate TTB officer finds that—

(1) Good cause has been shown for the use of the alternate method or procedure;

(2) The alternate method or procedure is within the purpose of, and consistent with the effect intended by, the specifically prescribed method or procedure, and

(3) The alternate method or procedure will not be contrary to any provision of law, and will not result in an increase in cost to the Government or hinder the effective administration of this subpart.

(b) Application. A manufacturer of processed tobacco who desires to employ an alternate method or procedure must submit a written application to the appropriate TTB officer. The application shall specifically describe the proposed alternate method or procedure, and shall set forth the reasons therefor. An alternate method or procedure shall not be employed until the application has been approved by the appropriate TTB officer. The manufacturer shall, during the period of authorization of an alternate method or procedure, comply with the terms of the approved application. Authorization for any alternate method or procedure may be withdrawn whenever, in the judgment of the appropriate TTB officer, the effective administration of this part is hindered. Any authorization of the appropriate TTB officer under this section shall be retained as part of the manufacturer's records in accordance with this subpart.

The appropriate TTB officer may approve methods of operation other than as specified in this subpart, where it is determined that an emergency exists and the proposed variations from the specified requirements are necessary, and provided that the proposed variations will not hinder the effective administration of this subpart and will not be contrary to any provision of law. Variations from requirements granted under this section are conditioned on compliance with the procedures, conditions, and limitations set forth in the approval of the application. Failure to comply in good faith with such procedures, conditions, and limitations will automatically terminate the authority for such variations, and the manufacturer of processed tobacco thereupon must fully comply with the prescribed requirements of the regulations from which the variations were authorized. Authority for any variation may be withdrawn whenever in the judgment of the appropriate TTB officer the effective administration of this subpart is hindered by the continuation of such variation. Where a manufacturer desires to employ such variation, the manufacturer must submit a written application to do so to the appropriate TTB officer. The application must describe the proposed variations and set forth the reasons therefor. Variations may not be employed until the application has been approved. Any authorization of the appropriate TTB officer under this section shall be retained as part of the manufacturer's records, in accordance with this subpart.

Anyone who fails to comply with the provisions of this subpart may be liable to the civil and criminal penalties, and forfeitures, provided by law.

If the application for permit or any report or other document required to be executed under this subpart is to be signed by an individual (including one of the partners for a partnership or one of the members of an association) as an attorney in fact for any person, or if an individual is to otherwise officially represent such person, power of attorney on TTB F 5000.8 shall be furnished to the appropriate TTB officer. Such power of attorney is not required for persons whose authority is furnished with the corporate documents as required by § 40.494. TTB F 5000.8 does not have to be filed again with the appropriate TTB officer where such form has previously been submitted to that appropriate TTB officer and is still in effect.

(a) Tax rates. Pipe tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(f) and (g), respectively:

(b) Classification. (1) Pipe tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco, before removal subject to tax, must be put up in packages that conform to the requirements of § 41.71 and of § 41.72a or § 41.72b as appropriate.

(2) Any tobacco that has been processed and that is removed in a package, as that term is defined in § 41.11, that does not bear the notice for smokeless tobacco prescribed in § 41.72 or the notice for pipe tobacco prescribed in § 41.72a is deemed to be roll-your-own tobacco and subject to tax at the rate applicable to roll-your-own tobacco.

(3) Subject to paragraph (b)(4) of this section, any tobacco that has been processed and that is removed in a package, as that term is defined in § 41.11, is deemed to be roll-your-own tobacco and subject to tax at the rate applicable to roll-your-own tobacco, even though the package bears the notice required for pipe tobacco under § 41.72a, if:

(i) The package does not bear the declaration “pipe tobacco” in direct conjunction with, parallel to, and in substantially the same conspicuousness of type and background as the brand name each time the brand name appears on the package; or

(ii) The package or accompanying materials bear any representation that would suggest a use other than as pipe tobacco.

(4) During the period from June 22, 2009, through March 23, 2010, importers may continue to remove products as pipe tobacco in packages that do not bear the declaration “pipe tobacco” in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section.

(a) Cigars are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(a):

(b) See § 41.39 of this part for rules concerning determination of sale price of large cigars.

(c) Cigars not exempt from tax under 26 U.S.C. chapter 52 and the provisions of this part which are removed but not intended for sale shall be taxed at the same rate as similar cigars removed for sale.

Cigarettes are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(b):

Smokeless tobacco products are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(e):

Cigarette papers are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(c):

Cigarette tubes are taxed at the following rates under 26 U.S.C. 5701(d):

For internal revenue tax purposes, small cigarettes are designated Class A and large cigarettes are designated Class B.

The tax imposed on large cigars is computed based on the sale price (the price for which the large cigars are sold by the importer or manufacturer). In addition to money, goods or services exchanged for cigars may be considered as part of the sale price. See § 40.22(b) of this chapter for information on determining the sale price in special cases.

The importer of tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes will be liable for the internal revenue taxes imposed thereon by 26 U.S.C. 5701 or 7652: Provided, That tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes (other than those previously exported and returned) imported or brought into the United States, may be released from customs custody without payment of tax, for delivery to the proprietor of an export warehouse, to a manufacturer of tobacco products, or to a manufacturer of cigarette papers or tubes (except for tobacco products), if such articles are not put up in packages (see § 41.11). Under these circumstances the transferee will become liable for the internal revenue tax on such articles upon release from customs custody and the importer will thereupon be relieved of the liability for such tax. If the transferee is also the importer, then the importer will not be relieved of the liability for such tax.

Tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, imported or brought into the United States, on which internal revenue taxes are due and payable, must not be released from customs custody until such taxes have been determined and paid.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202) and Customs Regulations, 19 CFR, chapter I, provide for certain exemptions from internal revenue taxes with respect to tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes imported into the United States. These exemptions include, but are not limited to, certain importations in passengers' baggage, for use of crew members, and by foreign officials. Those persons importing tobacco products and cigarette papers or tubes as described in this section are not required to obtain a permit.

Whenever any person required by law to pay internal revenue tax on tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes fails to pay such tax, the tax shall be ascertained and assessed against such person, subject to the limitations prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 6501. The tax so assessed shall be in addition to the penalties imposed by law for failure to pay such tax when required. Except in cases where delay may jeopardize collection of the tax, or where the amount is nominal or the result of an evident mathematical error, no such assessment shall be made until and after notice has been afforded such person to show cause against assessment. The person will be allowed 45 days from the date of such notice to show cause, in writing, against such assessment.

(a) The provisions of this section apply to tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in the United States and labeled for exportation under parts 44 and 270 of this chapter.

(b) Articles described in paragraph (a) of this section may be transferred to or removed from the premises of a manufacturer or an export warehouse proprietor only if such articles are being transferred or removed without tax as provided in this part.

(c) Articles described in paragraph (a) of this section may only be imported or brought into the United States, after their exportation, under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 5704(d), by release from Customs custody for delivery to the original manufacturer of such tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes or to the proprietor of an export warehouse authorized by such manufacturer to receive such articles. These products are transferred in bond and are released from Customs custody without payment of that part of the duty attributable to internal revenue tax.

(d) Articles described in paragraph (a) of this section that are not put up in packages may be imported or brought into the United States under 26 U.S.C. 5704(c) by release from Customs custody without payment of tax for delivery to the original manufacturer of such articles. However, because such articles are also eligible for release under 26 U.S.C. 5704(d), such articles will be treated as though released under section 5704(d), due to the penalty provisions in section 5761(c).

(e) Articles described in paragraph (a) of this section may not be sold or held for sale for domestic consumption in the United States unless such articles are removed from their export packaging and repackaged by the original manufacturer into new packaging that does not contain an export label. The new packages, marks and notices must conform to the requirements of 27 CFR part 270.

(f) The provisions of this section shall apply to articles labeled for export even if the packaging or the appearance of such packaging to the consumer of such articles has been modified or altered by a person other than the original manufacturer so as to remove or conceal or attempt to remove or conceal (including by placement of a sticker over) any export label.

(g) For purposes of this section, an article is labeled for export or contains an export label if it bears the mark, label, or notice required by § 44.185 of this chapter.

(h) For purposes of this section, references to exportation shall be treated as including a reference to shipment to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(i) The provisions of this section do not apply to any person who, when entering U.S. manufactured tobacco products labeled for export under parts 44 and 270 of this chapter, claims and is granted an exemption from duty and tax for such products under chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. The quantity of tobacco products entered may not exceed the quantity limit imposed on such products under the applicable tariff provision. A traveler claiming an exemption under this subsection upon arrival at the border may voluntarily relinquish to the U. S. Customs Service at the time of entry any excess of such quantity without incurring the penalty under section § 41.83.

(j) For civil penalties and forfeiture provisions related to violations of this section, see § 41.83. For a criminal penalty applicable to any violation of this section see 26 U.S.C. 5762(b).

Except for the return of exported products that are specifically authorized under § 41.82(b) and (c):

(a) Every person who sells, relands, or receives within the jurisdiction of the United States any tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes which have been labeled or shipped for exportation under parts 44 and 270 of this chapter;

(b) Every person who sells or receives such relanded tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes; and,

(c) Every person who aids or abets in such selling, relanding, or receiving, shall, in addition to the tax and any other penalty provided for in title 26 U.S.C., be liable for a penalty equal to the greater of $1,000 or 5 times the amount of the tax imposed by title 26 U.S.C. All tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes relanded within the jurisdiction of the United States shall be forfeited to the United States and destroyed. All vessels, vehicles and aircraft used in such relanding or in removing such products, papers, and tubes from the place where relanded, shall be forfeited to the United States.

(d) The provisions of this section do not apply to any person who, when entering U.S. manufactured tobacco products labeled for export, claims and is granted an exemption from duty and tax for such products under chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. The quantity of tobacco products entered may not exceed the quantity limit imposed on such products under the applicable tariff provision. A traveler claiming an exemption under this subsection upon arrival at the border may voluntarily relinquish to the U. S. Customs Service at the time of entry any excess of such quantity without incurring the penalty under this section.

(e) For purposes of this section, references to exportation shall be treated as including a reference to shipment to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(a) The provisions of this section apply only to tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarettes tubes, which are not put up in packages, i.e., not placed by the manufacturer or importer in packages in which the products will be sold to consumers. Tobacco products manufactured in a foreign country, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States may be released by the Port Director of Customs or authorized customs officer from customs custody, without payment of internal revenue tax, for transfer to the factory of any manufacturer of tobacco products under the internal revenue bond of the manufacturer to whom such articles are released. Cigarette papers and tubes manufactured in a foreign country, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States may be released by the Port Director of Customs or authorized customs officer from customs custody, without payment of internal revenue tax, for transfer, under the internal revenue bond of the manufacturer to whom such articles are released, to the factory of a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes; or a manufacturer of tobacco products solely for use in the manufacture of cigarettes. Releases under this section must be in accordance with § 41.86: Provided, however, that in the case of products exported from the Virgin Islands, in order for a manufacturer of tobacco products or a manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes to remove such products from customs custody in the United States under the manufacturer's internal revenue bond without payment of internal revenue tax, the manufacturer must file an extension of coverage of the internal revenue bond on TTB Form 2105, and receive a notice of approval from the appropriate TTB officer. The extension of coverage must be executed by the principal and the surety and must be in the following form:

(b) Articles received into the factory of a manufacturer under the provision of this section are subject to the provisions of part 40 of this chapter.

(a) Domestically produced tobacco products (classifiable under item 9801.00.80 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, 19 U.S.C. 1202) exported from and returned to the United States without change to the product or the shipping container may be released, under the bond of the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor to whom such articles are released, from customs custody in the United States without payment of that part of the duty attributable to the internal revenue tax for delivery to the factory of any tobacco products manufacturer or to the permit premises of an export warehouse proprietor.

(b) Domestically produced cigarette papers and tubes (classifiable under item 9801.00.80 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, 19 U.S.C. 1202) exported from and returned to the United States without change to the product or the shipping container may be released from customs custody in the United States without payment of that part of the duty attributable to the internal revenue tax for delivery, under the bond of the manufacturer to whom such articles are released, to the factory of:

(1) A manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes; or

(2) A manufacturer of tobacco products solely for use in the manufacture of cigarettes.

(c) Releases under this section must be in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 41.86. Once released, the tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes will be subject to the tax and all other provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, and, as applicable, subject to the provisions of the regulations in part 40 of this chapter as if they had not been exported or otherwise removed from internal revenue bond.

(a) Every manufacturer of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes and every export warehouse proprietor who desires to obtain the release of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes from customs custody, without payment of internal revenue tax, under its internal revenue bond, as provided in §§ 41.85 or 41.85a, must prepare a notice of release, Form 5200.11, in triplicate, and file the three copies of the form with the appropriate TTB officer. The appropriate TTB officer will not certify Form 5200.11 covering the release of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes unless the manufacturer is authorized, under part 40 of this chapter, to receive, without payment of tax, the kinds of articles set forth in the form.

(b) Importers who are either manufacturers of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes or export warehouse proprietors, or their authorized agents, who request the release of tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes from customs custody in the United States under this section, using customs electronic filing procedures, must not request such release until they have received the TTB Form 5200.11 certified by the appropriate TTB officer. Once Customs releases the tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes in accordance with 19 CFR Part 143, Customs Directives, and any other applicable instructions, the importer will send a copy of the TTB Form 5200.11 along with a copy of the electronic filing and customs release to the appropriate TTB officer at the address shown thereon. The importer will retain one copy of the TTB Form 5200.11 to meet TTB recordkeeping requirements and one copy to meet customs recordkeeping requirements.

(c) Importers or their authorized agents requesting release of tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes from customs custody in the United States under any other authorized procedure will submit all copies of the TTB Form 5200.11 to the appropriate customs officer along with their request for release. The customs officer will verify that the TTB Form 5200.11 has been certified by the appropriate TTB officer and return all copies to the importer or the importer's authorized representative.

(d) Once Customs releases the tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes in accordance with 19 CFR Part 143, Customs Directives, and any other applicable instructions, the importer will send a copy of the TTB Form 5200.11 along with a copy of the customs release to the appropriate TTB office at the address shown thereon. The importer will retain one copy of the TTB Form 5200.11 to meet TTB recordkeeping requirements and one copy to meet customs recordkeeping requirements.

To prepay, in Puerto Rico, the internal revenue tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a) on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes of Puerto Rican manufacture to be shipped to the United States, the shipper must file, or cause to be filed, a tax return, TTB F 5000.25, with full remittance of the tax which will become due on those products.

(a) Shipments other than noncommercial mail shipments. The taxpayer must ensure that the tax has been prepaid on the tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes in each shipment. The taxpayer must identify the tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes by including on the bill of lading or similar record accompanying the shipment the following information:

(1) The marks and numbers on the shipping containers;

(2) The number of containers to be shipped;

(3) The kind of taxable article(s) to be shipped and the rate of tax applicable to each kind of article, as specified in §§ 41.30 through 41.35;

(4) The number of small cigarettes, large cigarettes, or small cigars to be shipped;

(5) The number and total sale price of large cigars having a sale price of not more than $235.294 per thousand before April 1, 2009, or a sale price of not more than $763.222 per thousand on and after April 1, 2009, to be shipped;

(6) The number of large cigars having a sale price of more than $235.294 per thousand before April 1, 2009, or a sale price of more than $763.222 per thousand on and after April 1, 2009, to be shipped;

(7) The pounds and ounces of chewing tobacco or snuff to be shipped;

(8) The pounds and ounces of pipe tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco to be shipped;

(9) The number of cigarette papers or tubes to be shipped;

(10) The amount of the tax paid for each kind of article under this subpart;

(11) The name and address of the consignee in the United States to whom the products are to be shipped; and

(12) A notation identifying the particular TTB F 5000.25 by which the taxes were prepaid.

(b) Noncommercial mail shipments. Noncommercial mail shipments of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes to the United States are exempt from the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, except that the taxpayer must provide a copy of the TTB F 5000.25 upon the request of an appropriate TTB officer.

Where a manufacturer of tobacco products in Puerto Rico desires to defer payment in Puerto Rico of the internal revenue tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a), on tobacco products of Puerto Rican manufacture coming into the United States, he shall file a bond, Form 2986, with the appropriate TTB officer, in accordance with the provisions of this subpart. Such bond shall be conditioned on the payment, at the time and in the manner prescribed in this subpart, of the full amount of tax computed under the provisions of this subpart with respect to tobacco products which are released for shipment to the United States on computation of tax. All taxes which are computed under the provisions of this subpart shall be chargeable against the bond, until such taxes are paid, as provided in § 41.112. The bond shall show the location of the factory from which the tobacco products to which it relates are to be shipped.

Where tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes are to be shipped to the United States with deferred taxpayment, the bonded manufacturer must calculate the tax prior to shipment. The tax calculation must conform to the information on the bill of lading or a similar record accompanying the shipment, and the date of completing the bill of lading or similar record accompanying the shipment will be treated as the date of computation of the tax. Tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes may be shipped to the United States in accordance with the provisions of this section only after computation of the tax. The bill of lading or similar record accompanying the shipment must include the following information:

(a) The marks and numbers on the shipping containers;

(b) The number of containers to be shipped;

(c) The kind of taxable article(s) to be shipped and the rate of tax applicable to each kind of article, as specified in §§ 41.30 through 41.35;

(d) The number of small cigarettes, large cigarettes, or small cigars to be shipped;

(e) The number and total sale price of large cigars having a sale price of not more than $235.294 per thousand before April 1, 2009, or a sale price of not more than $763.222 per thousand on and after April 1, 2009, to be shipped;

(f) The number of large cigars having a sale price of more than $235.294 per thousand before April 1, 2009, or a sale price of more than $763.222 per thousand on and after April 1, 2009, to be shipped;

(g) The pounds and ounces of chewing tobacco or snuff to be shipped;

(h) The pounds and ounces of pipe tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco to be shipped;

(i) The number of cigarette papers or tubes to be shipped;

(j) The amount of the tax to be paid for each kind of article under this subpart; and

(k) The name and address of the consignee in the United States to whom the products are to be shipped.

(a) Verification of bond. Prior to shipment of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes to the United States, the manufacturer must verify:

(1) That there is no default in payment of tax chargeable against the manufacturer's bond on TTB F 2986 (5210.12); and

(2) That the amount of the manufacturer's bond is sufficient or is in the maximum penal sum to cover the tax that will become due on the shipment.

(b) Agreement to pay tax. The shipment of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes by the bonded manufacturer serves as an agreement by the manufacturer to pay the tax on that shipment.

The internal revenue taxes imposed by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a), with respect to tobacco products manufactured in Puerto Rico and shipped to the United States on computation of tax under the provisions of this subpart shall be paid on the basis of a semimonthly tax return. The bonded manufacturer of such products shall prepare TTB Form 5000.25 in duplicate, and file the original with the appropriate TTB officer, and maintain one copy for the file for each semimonthly return period. The bonded manufacturer shall execute the return, TTB Form 5000.25, under the penalties of perjury. He shall file a return for each return period at the time specified in § 41.114, regardless of whether tax is due for that return period. However, where the appropriate TTB officer, grants specific authorization, the bonded manufacturer need not file a tax return during the term of such authorization for any period in which tax liability was not incurred under the provisions of this subpart.

Except as otherwise provided in § 41.114, the periods to be covered in the semimonthly tax returns run from the 1st day of the month through the 15th day of that month, and from the 16th day of the month through the last day of that month.

(a) General rule. Semimonthly tax returns under this subpart shall be filed by the bonded manufacturer, for each return period, not later than the 14th day after the last day of the return period, except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section. The tax shall be paid in full by remittance at the time the return is filed as prescribed in § 41.115 or § 41.115a.

(b) Special rule for taxes due for the month of September. (1) Division of second semimonthly period. (i) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the second semimonthly period for the month of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 26th day, and from the 27th day through the 30th day. The bonded manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.25, and make remittance, for the period September 16-26, no later than September 29. The bonded manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.25, and make remittance, for the period September 27-30, no later than October 14.

(ii) Taxpayment not by electronic fund transfer. In the case of taxes for which remittance by electronic fund transfer (EFT) is not required by § 41.115a, the second semimonthly period of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 25th day, and from the 26th day through the 30th day. The bonded manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.25, and make remittance, for the period September 16-25, no later than September 28. The bonded manufacturer shall file a return on TTB F 5000.25, and make remittance, for the period September 26-30, no later than October 14.

(2) Amount of payment—Safe harbor rule. (i) General. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 29 is not less than 11/15ths (73.3 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14.

(ii) Taxpayment not by EFT. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 28 is not less than 2/3rds (66.7 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14.

(3) Weekend or holiday due date. If the required taxpayment due date for the period September 16-25 or September 16-26, as applicable, falls on a Saturday or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day. If the required due date falls on a Sunday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately following day.

(c) Postmark. If the return, and remittance as the case may be, are delivered by U.S. Mail to the appropriate TTB officer, the date of the official postmark of the U.S. Postal Service stamped on the cover in which the return, and remittance as the case may be, were mailed shall be treated as the date of delivery.

(d) Weekends and holidays. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, if the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

(a) Bonded manufacturers with bonds executed before September 1, 1973. Bonded manufacturers with bonds on Form 2936 executed before September 1, 1973, who desire to file returns under this subpart with benefit of the extended deferral permitted by § 41.114 shall file with the appropriate TTB officer an extension of coverage of bond on Form 2105. Such extension of coverage shall identify the particular bond to which it applies and shall contain a statement of purpose as follows:

(b) Bonded manufacturers with bonds executed after September 1, 1973. Bonded manufacturers operating under original or superseding bonds executed after September 1, 1973, are automatically qualified for the extended deferral permitted by § 41.114 (unless found in default as provided in § 41.116). Such bonds must be executed in an amount sufficient to cover an extended deferral period, according to the requirements of § 41.121.

(c) Commencement of extended deferral. Bonded manufacturers may file returns with benefit of extended deferral only after the applicable bonds and extensions of coverage required by this section have been filed with and approved by the appropriate TTB officer.

Remittance of the full amount of internal revenue tax computed during the return period shall accompany the return, except as prescribed in § 41.115a. Such remittance may be in any form the appropriate TTB officer is authorized to accept under the provisions of § 70.61 of this chapter (Payment by check or money order) and which is acceptable to that officer. In paying the tax, a fractional part of a cent shall be disregarded unless it amounts to one-half cent or more, in which case it shall be increased to one cent.

(a) General. (1) Each taxpayer who was liable, during a calendar year, for a gross amount equal to or exceeding five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 40 of this chapter, shall use a commercial bank in making payment by electronic fund transfer (EFT) of taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes during the succeeding calendar year. Payment of taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes by cash, check, or money order, as described in § 41.115, is not authorized for a taxpayer who is required, by this section, to make remittances by EFT. For purposes of this section, the dollar amount of tax liability is defined as the gross tax liability of all taxes which are paid in accordance with this subpart, taxable withdrawals from premises in the United States, and importations during the calendar year, without regard to any drawbacks, credits, or refunds, for all premises from which such activities are conducted by the taxpayer. Overpayments are not taken into account in summarizing the gross tax liability.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a taxpayer includes a controlled group of corporations, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 1563, and implementing regulations in 26 CFR 1.1563-1 through 1.1563-4, except that the words “at least 80 percent” shall be replaced by the words “more than 50 percent” in each place it appears in subsection (a) of 26 U.S.C. 1563, as well as in the implementing regulations. Also, the rules for a “controlled group of corporations” apply in a similar fashion to groups which include partnerships and/or sole proprietorships. If one entity maintains more than 50% control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole proprietorships, all of the members of the controlled group are one taxpayer for the purpose of determining who is required to make remittances by EFT.

(3) A taxpayer who is required by this section to make remittances by EFT, shall make a separate EFT remittance and file a separate tax return for each factory which tobacco products, or cigarette papers, or cigarette tubes are withdrawn upon determination of tax.

(b) Requirements. (1) On or before January 10 of each calendar year, except for a taxpayer already remitting the tax by EFT, each taxpayer who was liable for a gross amount equal to or exceeding five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and part 40 of this chapter during the previous calender year, shall notify, in writing, the appropriate TTB officer. The notice shall be an agreement to make remittances by EFT.

(2) For each return filed in accordance with this part, the taxpayer shall direct the taxpayer's bank to make an electronic fund transfer in the amount of the taxpayment to the Treasury Account as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The request shall be made to the bank early enough for the transfer to be made to the Treasury Account by no later than the close of business on the last day for filing the return, prescribed in § 41.105 or § 41.114. The request shall take into account any time limit established by the bank.

(3) If a taxpayer was liable for less than five million dollars in taxes on tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes during the preceding calendar year, the taxpayer may choose either to continue remitting the tax as provided in this section or to remit the tax with the return as prescribed by § 41.115. On the first return on which the taxpayer chooses to discontinue remitting the tax by EFT and to begin remitting the tax with the tax return, the taxpayer shall notify the appropriate TTB officer by attaching a written notification to the tax return, stating that no taxes are due by EFT, because the tax liability during the preceding calendar year was less than five million dollars, and that the remittance shall be filed with the tax return.

(c) Remittance. (1) Each taxpayer shall show on the tax return, information about remitting the tax for that return by EFT and shall file the return with the appropriate TTB officer.

(2) Remittances shall be considered as made when the taxpayment by electronic fund transfer is received by the Treasury Account. For purposes of this section, a taxpayment by electronic fund transfer shall be considered as received by the Treasury Account when it is paid to a Federal Reserve Bank.

(3) When the taxpayer directs the bank to effect an electronic fund transfer message as required by paragraph (b)(2) of this section, any transfer data record furnished to the taxpayer, through normal banking procedures, will serve as the record of payment, and shall be retained as part of required records.

(d) Failure to make a taxpayment by EFT. The taxpayer is subject to a penalty imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5761, 6651, or 6656, as applicable, for failure to make a taxpayment by EFT on or before the close of business on the prescribed last day for filing.

(e) Procedure. Upon the notification required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer will issue to the taxpayer a TTB procedure entitled, Payment of Tax by Electronic Fund Transfer. This publication outlines the procedure a taxpayer is to follow when preparing returns and EFT remittances in accordance with this part.

Where a check or money order tendered with a semimonthly return for payment of internal revenue tax under the provisions of this subpart is not paid on presentment, where a bonded manufacturer fails to remit with the semimonthly return the full amount of tax due thereunder, or where a bonded manufacturer is otherwise in default in payment of tax under the provisions of this subpart, he shall not ship tobacco products to the United States on computation of tax, until the appropriate TTB officer finds that the revenue will not be jeopardized by deferred payment of tax under the provisions of this subpart.

(a) Surety bonds, required under the provisions of this subpart, may be given only with corporate sureties holding certificates of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury as acceptable sureties on Federal bonds. Limitations concerning corporate sureties are prescribed by the Secretary in the current revision of Treasury Department Circular No. 570 (Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies). The surety shall have no interest whatever in the business covered by the bond.

(b) Treasury Department Circular No. 570 is published in the Federal Register annually as of the first workday of July. As they occur, interim revisions of the circular are published in the Federal Register. Copies may be obtained from the Audit Staff, Bureau of Government Financial Operations, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20226.

In lieu of corporate surety, the manufacturer of tobacco products in Puerto Rico may pledge and deposit, as security for his bond, securities which are transferrable and are guaranteed both as to interest and as to principal by the United States, in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR part 225.

(a) Bond amount. Except for the maximum and minimum amounts stated in this paragraph, the total amount of the bond or bonds required under this subpart must be in an amount not less than the amount of unpaid tax chargeable at any one time against the bond or bonds. The maximum and minimum amounts of such bond or bonds are as follows:

(b) Bond account. Where the amount of a bonded manufacturer's bond is less than the maximum amount prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section, the bonded manufacturer must maintain an account reflecting all outstanding taxes for which the manufacturer's bond is chargeable. A manufacturer must debit that account with the amount of tax that was agreed to be paid under § 41.111 or that is otherwise chargeable against the bond and then must credit the account for the amount paid on TTB F 5000.25 or other TTB-prescribed document, at the time it is filed. A manufacturer who will defer payment of tax for a shipment of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes under this subpart must have sufficient credit in this account to cover the taxes prior to making the shipment to the United States.

Where the amount of any bond is no longer sufficient under the provisions of § 41.121, the bonded manufacturer shall immediately file a strengthening bond in an appropriate amount with the same surety as that on the bond already in effect, unless a superseding bond is filed pursuant to § 41.123. A strengthening bond will not be approved where any notation is made thereon which is intended, or which may be construed, as a release of any former bond, or as limiting the amount of either bond to less than its full amount.

A bonded manufacturer shall immediately file a new bond to supersede his current bond when (a) the corporate surety on the current bond becomes insolvent, (b) the appropriate TTB officer approves a request from the surety on the current bond to terminate his liability under the bond, (c) the payment of any liability under a bond is made by the surety thereon, (d) the amount of the bond is no longer sufficient under the provisions of § 41.121 and a strengthening bond has not been filed, or (e) the appropriate TTB officer considers a superseding bond necessary for the protection of the revenue.

An extension of coverage of the bond of a bonded manufacturer shall be required (a) as provided in § 41.114a, and (b) in the case of any change in the location of the factory as set forth in the bond. Such extension of coverage of the bond shall be manifested on Form 2105 by the bonded manufacturer and by the surety on the bond with the same formality and proof of authority as required for the execution of the bond.

The appropriate TTB officer is authorized to approve all bonds and extensions of coverage of bonds (except under § 41.136) filed under this subpart. No manufacturer of tobacco products in Puerto Rico shall defer taxes under this subpart until he receives from the appropriate TTB officer notice of approval of the bond or of an appropriate extension of coverage of the bond required under this subpart. Upon receipt of the duplicate copy of an approved bond or extension of coverage of bond from the appropriate TTB officer, such copy of the bond or extension of coverage of bond shall be retained by the bonded manufacturer and shall be made available for inspection by the appropriate TTB officer upon his request.

Any bond given under the provisions of this subpart may be terminated as to future transactions, by the appropriate TTB officer, (a) pursuant to application of surety as provided in § 41.127; (b) on approval of a superseding bond; (c) on notification by the bonded manufacturer to the appropriate TTB officer that he has discontinued the deferral of taxes under the bond; or (d) on notification by the bonded manufacturer to the appropriate TTB officer that he has discontinued business. When any bond is terminated, the appropriate TTB officer shall notify both the bonded manufacturer and surety on such bond, in writing, of such action.

A surety on any bond given under the provisions of this subpart may at any time in writing notify the bonded manufacturer and the appropriate TTB officer that he desires, after a date named, to be relieved of liability under said bond. Such date shall be not less than 10 days after the date the notice is received by the appropriate TTB officer. The surety shall also file with the appropriate TTB officer an acknowledgement or other proof of service on the bonded manufacturer. If such notice is not thereafter in writing withdrawn, the rights of the bonded manufacturer as supported by said bond shall be terminated on the date named in the notice, and the surety shall be relieved from liability to the extent set forth in § 41.128.

Where the surety on a bond given under the provisions of this subpart has filed application for relief from liability as provided in § 41.127, the surety shall be relieved from liability for transactions occurring wholly subsequent to the date specified in the notice, or the effective date of a new bond, if one is given.

Securities of the United States, pledged and deposited as provided in § 41.120, shall be released only in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR part 225. Such securities will not be released by the appropriate TTB officer until the liability under the bond for which they were pledged has been terminated. When the appropriate TTB officer is satisfied that they may be released, he shall fix the date or dates on which a part or all of such securities may be released. At any time prior to the release of such securities, the appropriate TTB officer may extend the date of release for such additional length of time as he deems necessary.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes in the United States who receives tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes or Puerto Rican manufacture, without payment of internal revenue tax, under his bond, shall keep separate records of all items received, removed subject to tax, removed for tax-exempt purposes, and otherwise disposed of, showing the following information:

(a) Date, quantity, kind of cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco (number of small cigars—large cigars; number of small cigarettes—large cigarettes; pounds and ounces of chewing tobacco—snuff; pounds and ounces of pipe tobacco—roll-your-own tobacco).

(b) The sale price of large cigars removed subject to tax, except that if the price is more than $235.294 per thousand, it may be shown as if it were $236 per thousand.

(c) Cigarette papers:

(1) Before January 1, 2000, the date and number of books or sets of cigarette papers of each numerical content.

(2) On and after January 1, 2000, the date and number of cigarette papers.

(d) The date and number of cigarette tubes.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes in the United States who receives Puerto Rican tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes without payment of internal revenue tax, under his bond, and subsequently removes such products, subject to tax, must pay the tax imposed on such products by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a), at the rates prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 5701, on the basis of a return under the provisions of part 40 of this chapter applicable to the taxpayment of tobacco products. Similarly, every manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes in the United States who receives Puerto Rican cigarette papers and tubes and subsequently removes such articles, shall pay the tax imposed on such articles by 26 U.S.C. 7652(a), at the rates prescribed in 26 U.S.C. 5701, on the basis of a return under the provisions of part 40 of this chapter applicable to taxpayment of cigarette papers and tubes. Such tobacco products and cigarettes papers and tubes shall be separately listed and identified as articles of Puerto Rican manufacture on Form 5000.24. The amount of tax paid on such articles shall be separately stated on Form 5000.24.

Every manufacturer of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes in the United States who receives Puerto Rican tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes without payment of internal revenue tax, under his bond, must report the receipt and disposition of such tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes on supplemental monthly reports. Such supplemental reports shall be made on Form 5210.5 or Form 2138 and shall have inserted thereon the heading, “Cigars and Cigarettes of Puerto Rican Manufacture” or “Cigarette Papers and Tubes of Puerto Rican Manufacture,” as the case may be. The original of such supplemental report shall be attached to the manufacturer's regular monthly report when filed.

A claim for abatement of the unpaid portion of the assessment of any tax on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes, or any liability in respect thereof, may be allowed to the extent that such assessment is excessive in amount, is assessed after expiration of the applicable period of limitation, or is erroneously or illegally assessed. Any claim under this section shall be prepared on Form 2635 (5620.8), in duplicate, and shall set forth the particulars under which the claim is filed. The original of the claim, accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid, shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer, and the duplicate of the claim shall be retained by the claimant.

Claims involving internal revenue tax paid or determined and customs duty paid on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes removed, which are lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official by reason of a “major disaster” occurring in the United States after September 2, 1958, shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of subpart C of part 46 of this chapter.

Where tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which have been imported or brought into the United States are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, and the taxpayer desires to file claim for refund of the tax on such articles, he shall, in addition to complying with the requirements of § 41.163, indicate on the claim the nature, date, place, and extent of such loss or destruction. The claim shall be accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid.

(a) General. Where tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which have been imported or brought into the United States are withdrawn from the market and the taxpayer desires to file claim for refund of the tax on the articles, he shall, in addition to the requirements of § 41.163, assemble the articles at any suitable place, if they are to be destroyed or reduced to tobacco. The taxpayer shall group the articles according to the rates of tax applicable to the articles, and shall prepare a schedule of the articles on TTB Form 5200.7, in triplicate. All copies of the schedule shall be forwarded to the appropriate TTB officer.

(b) Large cigars. Refund or credit of tax on large cigars withdrawn from the market is limited to the lowest tax applicable to that brand and size of cigar during the required record retention period (see § 41.22) except where the importer establishes that a greater amount was actually paid. For each claim involving large cigars withdrawn from the market, the importer must include a certification on either TTB Form 5200.7 or TTB Form 2635 (5620.8) to read as follows:

Upon receipt of a schedule of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which have been imported or brought into the United States and which are withdrawn from the market by a taxpayer who desires to destroy such articles or, in the case of tobacco products, reduce them to tobacco, the appropriate TTB officer may verify the schedule and supervise destruction of the articles (and stamps, if any) or the reduction of tobacco products to tobacco, or the appropriate TTB officer may authorize the taxpayer to destroy the articles (and stamps, if any) or reduce tobacco products to tobacco without supervision by so stating on the original and one copy of the schedule returned to the taxpayer.

(a) General. Where tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which have been imported or brought into the United States are withdrawn from the market and the taxpayer desires to file a claim for refund of the tax on the articles and return them to a nontaxpaid status, he shall, in addition to the requirements of § 41.163, assemble the articles in or adjacent to the factory in which the articles are to be retained or received in a nontaxpaid status. The taxpayer shall group the articles according to the rates of tax applicable to the articles, and shall prepare a schedule of the articles, on Form 5200.7, in triplicate. All copies of the schedule shall be forwarded to the appropriate TTB officer.

(b) Large cigars. Refund or credit of tax on large cigars withdrawn from the market is limited to the lowest tax applicable to that brand and size of cigar during the required record retention period (see § 41.22) except where the importer establishes that a greater amount was actually paid. For each claim involving large cigars withdrawn from the market, the importer must include a certification on either TTB Form 5200.7 or TTB Form 2635 (5620.8) to read as follows:

Upon receipt of a schedule of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which have been imported or brought into the United States and which are withdrawn from the market by a taxpayer who desires to return such articles to a nontaxpaid status, the appropriate TTB to officer may verify the schedule and supervise disposition of the articles (and destruction of the stamps, if any) or the appropriate TTB officer may authorize the receiving manufacturer to verify the schedule and disposition of the articles (and destruction of the stamps, if any) covered therein, without supervision, by so stating on the original and one copy of the schedule returned to the manufacturer. Where the receipt in a factory of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes has been verified, such articles shall be treated by the receiving manufacturer as nontaxpaid and shall be covered by the manufacturer's bond.

When the appropriate TTB officer is assigned to verify the schedule and supervise destruction or other disposition of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which have been imported or brought into the United States, such officer shall, upon completion of his assignment, execute a certificate on all copies of the schedule to show the disposition and the date of disposition of such articles. The appropriate TTB officer shall return the original and one copy of the certified schedule to the taxpayer. When a taxpayer destroys such articles (and stamps, if any) or reduces tobacco products to materials, or a receiving manufacturer verifies the schedule and disposition of such articles (and stamps, if any), he shall execute a certificate on the original and the copy of the schedule returned to him, to show the disposition and the date of disposition of the articles. The taxpayer shall attach the original of the certified schedule to his claim for refund.

Every tobacco products importer must keep such records and, when required by this part, submit such reports, of the physical receipt and disposition of tobacco products. Records and reports will not be required under this part with respect to tobacco products while in customs custody.

(a) General. Importers must file a monthly report on TTB F 5220.6 in accordance with the instructions for the form.

(b) First report. The first monthly report must be submitted by the 15th day of the month following the month in which the permit is issued.

(c) Reports of no activity. Reports with the notation “No Activity” must be made for those months in which no activity occurs.

(d) Concluding report. When a transfer of ownership of the business of an importer of tobacco products described in § 41.224, or when a change in control of a corporation described in § 41.226 occurs, a concluding report with the notation “Concluding Report” must be made for the month or partial month during which the transfer of ownership or change in control becomes effective. A concluding report must also be made for the month or partial month during which an importer concludes operations under the permit.

(a) Maintenance. All records, reports, and other documents required under this part must be maintained separately, chronologically by transaction or reporting date, at the importer's principal place of business. The appropriate TTB officer may, pursuant to an application by the importer for an approved alternate method or procedure under § 41.26, authorize such documents to be maintained at another business location under the control of the importer, if the conditions of § 41.26 are met and provided that the use of the alternate location does not cause undue inconvenience to TTB when attempting to examine the files and does not delay the timely transmittal of any document required to be submitted to TTB.

(b) Retention. All records and reports and documents or copies of documents supporting these records or reports required by this part to be submitted to TTB or retained by the importer must be retained for not less than three years following the close of the calendar year in which filed or made. Such records, reports, and other documents must be available for inspection by the appropriate TTB officer upon request. Furthermore, the appropriate TTB officer may require these records, reports, and other documents to be kept for an additional period of not more than three years in any case where it is necessary to protect the revenue.

Where there is a change in the name of an individual operating as an importer of tobacco products, the importer must make application on TTB Form 5230.5 for an amended permit within 30 days of such change.

Where there is a change in, or an addition or discontinuance of, a trade name used by an importer of tobacco products in connection with operations authorized by the permit, the importer must make application on TTB Form 5230.5 for an amended permit to reflect such change within 30 days of such change. The importer must also furnish a true copy of any new trade name certificate or document issued to the business, or statement in lieu thereof, required by § 41.195.

Where there is a change in the corporate name of an importer of tobacco products, the importer must make application on TTB Form 5230.5 for an amended permit within 30 days of such change. The importer must also furnish such documents as may be necessary to establish that the corporate name has been changed.

If an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary, is to take over the business of an importer of tobacco products, as a continuing operation, such fiduciary must make application for permit, before commencing operations as required by subpart K of this part, furnish certified copies, in duplicate, of the order of the court, or other pertinent documents, showing his appointment and qualification as such fiduciary. However, where a fiduciary intends only to liquidate the business, qualification as an importer of tobacco products will not be required if the fiduciary promptly files with the appropriate TTB officer a written statement to that effect.

If a transfer is to be made in ownership of the business of an importer of tobacco products (including a change of any member of a partnership or association), such importer must give notice, in writing, to the appropriate TTB officer, naming the proposed successor and the desired effective date of such transfer. The proposed successor must qualify as an importer of tobacco products, before commencing operations, in accordance with the applicable provisions of subpart K of this part. The importer must give such notice of transfer, and the proposed successor must make application for permit in ample time for examination and approval thereof before the desired date of such change. The predecessor must make a concluding report, in accordance with the provisions of § 41.205, and surrender the permit with such report. The successor must make a commencing report, in accordance with the provisions of § 41.206.

Upon election or appointment (excluding successive reelection or reappointment) of any officer or director of a corporation operating the business of an importer of tobacco products, or upon any occurrence which results in a person acquiring ownership or control of more than ten percent in aggregate of the outstanding stock of such corporation, the importer must, within 30 days of such action, so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing, giving the identity of such person. In the event that the acquisition of ten or more percent in aggregate of the outstanding stock of such corporation results in a change of control of such corporation, the provisions of § 41.226 will apply. When there is any change in the authority furnished under § 41.196 for officers to act on behalf of the corporation the importer must immediately so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing.

Where the issuance, sale, or transfer of the stock of a corporation operating as an importer of tobacco products results in a change in the identity of the principal stockholders exercising actual or legal control of the operations of the corporation, the corporate importer must make application on TTB Form 5230.4 for a new permit within 30 days after the change occurs. Otherwise, the present permit will be automatically terminated at the expiration of such 30-day period, and the importer will dispose of all tobacco products on hand, in accordance with this part, make a concluding report, in accordance with the provisions of § 41.206, and surrender his permit with such report. If the application for a new permit is timely made, the present permit will continue in effect pending final action with respect to such application.

Whenever an importer of tobacco products intends to relocate the principal business office, the importer must, before commencing operations at the new location, make application on TTB Form 5230.5 for, and obtain, an amended permit.

Whenever any change occurs in the address, but not the location, of the principal business office of an importer of tobacco products, as a result of action of local authorities, the importer must make application on TTB Form 5230.5 for an amended permit within 30 days of such change.

Except as otherwise provided in § 41.233, every person, before commencing business as an importer of processed tobacco, must apply for, and obtain, either a permit as an importer of processed tobacco or, if the person holds a TTB permit as an importer of tobacco products, an amendment to the existing permit authorizing the importation of processed tobacco under such permit, in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.

(a) Application for permit. Any person who intends to engage in the business of importing processed tobacco, and who is not engaged in the business of importing tobacco products, must apply for a permit by completing and submitting TTB F 5230.4 in accordance with the instructions on that form. All documents required under this subpart to be furnished with the application must be included with the application when it is submitted. If the appropriate TTB officer determines that the application is incomplete and, for that reason, does not include sufficient information for TTB to make a decision on the application, and if the applicant has not provided the missing information within one year of a written request for it or within any shorter time period specified in the written request, the application will be deemed abandoned and the applicant will be notified in writing that no permit will be issued in response to the incomplete application. In the case of an application filed in accordance with § 41.233, such notification will constitute the final action on the application and such party will no longer be able to continue as an importer of processed tobacco.

(b) Application for amendment of existing permit. Any person who holds a TTB permit as an importer of tobacco products may also qualify to engage in business as an importer of processed tobacco under the same permit by making application on TTB F 5230.5 for an amended permit.

(a) Any person who:

(1) On April 1, 2009, had already been engaged in business as an importer of processed tobacco; and

(2) Before June 30, 2009, submits an application for a permit or an amendment of an existing permit, as provided in § 41.232, to engage in such business, may continue to engage in that business pending final action on the application.

(b) Pending final action on the application, all provisions of chapter 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply to the applicant in the same manner and to the same extent as if the applicant were a holder of a permit as an importer of processed tobacco or an amended permit authorizing the importation of processed tobacco under chapter 52 and this subpart. Upon receipt of an application, the appropriate TTB officer will provide the applicant with a written acknowledgement that may be used for a limited period as confirmation of TTB authorization to engage in such business of an importer of processed tobacco.

Every corporation that files an application for a permit as an importer of processed tobacco must furnish with its application for the permit required by § 41.231 a true copy of the corporate charter or a certificate of corporate existence or incorporation executed by the appropriate officer of the State in which incorporated. The corporation must likewise furnish duly authenticated extracts of the stockholders' meetings, bylaws, or directors' meetings, listing the offices the incumbents of which are authorized to sign documents or otherwise act in behalf of the corporation in matters relating to 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, and regulations issued thereunder. The corporation must also furnish evidence, in duplicate, of the identity of the officers and directors and each person who holds more than ten percent of the stock of such corporation. Where any of the information required by this section has previously been filed with the appropriate TTB officer and such information is currently complete and accurate, a written statement to that effect will be sufficient for the purpose of this section.

Every partnership or association that files an application for a permit as an importer of processed tobacco must furnish with its application for the permit required by § 41.231 a true copy of the articles of partnership or association, if any, or certificate of partnership or association where required to be filed by any State, county, or municipality. Where a partnership or association has previously filed such documents with the appropriate TTB officer and such documents are currently complete and accurate, a written statement, in duplicate, to that effect by the partnership or association will be sufficient for the purpose of this section.

Every person that files an application for a permit as an importer of processed tobacco operating under a trade name must furnish with the application for the permit required by § 41.231 a true copy of the certificate or other document, if any, issued by a State, county, or municipal authority in connection with the transaction of business under such trade name. If no such certificate or other document is so required, a written statement, in duplicate, to that effect by such person will be sufficient for the purpose of this section.

The appropriate TTB officer may require such additional information as deemed necessary to determine whether the applicant is entitled to obtain either a permit as an importer of tobacco products or, if holding a permit as an importer of processed tobacco, an amended permit authorizing the importation of processed tobacco, under this subpart. The applicant must, when required by the appropriate TTB officer, furnish as a part of the application for the permit or authorization such additional information as may be necessary for the appropriate TTB officer to determine whether the applicant is entitled to a permit or an amended permit.

Appropriate TTB officers may inquire or investigate to verify the information in connection with an application for a permit. The investigation will ascertain whether the applicant is eligible for a permit. A permit may be denied if the applicant (including, in the case of a corporation, any officer, director, or principal stockholder and, in the case of a partnership, a partner)—

(a) Is, by reason of his business experience, financial standing, or trade connections or by reason of previous or current legal proceedings involving a felony violation of any other provision of Federal criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes, not likely to maintain operations in compliance with this chapter;

(b) Has been convicted of a felony violation of any provision of Federal or State criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes; or

(c) Has failed to disclose any material information required or made any material false statement in the application therefor.

If the appropriate TTB officer has reason to believe that the applicant is not entitled to a permit, the appropriate TTB officer will promptly give to the applicant notice of the contemplated disapproval of the application and opportunity for hearing thereon in accordance with part 71 of this chapter. If, after such notice and opportunity for hearing, the appropriate TTB officer finds that the applicant is not entitled to a permit, an order will be prepared stating the findings on which the application is denied.

If the application for the permit required under this subpart is approved, the appropriate TTB officer will issue a permit on TTB F 5200.24 to the applicant as an importer of processed tobacco.

A permit issued under § 41.240 of this part will be valid for a period of three years from the effective date shown on the permit.

(a) General. Importers of processed tobacco wishing to continue operations beyond the expiration of their current permit must renew their permit by making application within 30 days of the expiration date on the permit, in accordance with instructions for the permit form. The expiring permit will continue in effect until final action is taken by TTB on the application for renewal, provided a timely application for renewal is filed.

(b) Minimum activity requirement. A permit to import processed tobacco will only be renewed for those persons who have engaged in the importing of processed tobacco under the current permit in the one year period prior to the application to renew.

The importer of processed tobacco must retain the permit, together with the copy of the application and supporting documents returned with the permit, at the same place where the records required by this subpart are kept. The permit and supporting documents must be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon request.

(a) Change in individual name. When there is a change in the name of an individual operating under a permit as an importer of processed tobacco, the importer must, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5230.5 for an amended permit.

(b) Change in trade name. When there is a change in a trade name used by an importer of processed tobacco in connection with operations authorized by the permit, the importer must, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5230.5 for an amended permit to reflect such change. This requirement also applies to the addition or discontinuance of a trade name. The importer must also furnish a true copy of any new trade name certificate or document issued to the importer, or statement in lieu thereof, required by § 41.236.

(c) Change in corporate name. When there is a change in the corporate name of an importer of processed tobacco, the importer must, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5230.5 for an amended permit. The importer must also furnish such documents as may be necessary to establish that the corporate name has been changed.

(a) Fiduciary successor. If an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary is to take over the business of an importer of processed tobacco as a continuing operation, such fiduciary shall, before commencing operations, make application for permit in accordance with § 41.232, furnish certified copies, in duplicate, of the order of the court, or other pertinent documents, showing his appointment and qualification as such fiduciary. However, where a fiduciary intends only to liquidate the business, qualification as an importer of processed tobacco will not be required if he promptly files with the appropriate TTB officer a written statement to that effect.

(b) Transfer of ownership. If a transfer in ownership of the business of an importer of processed tobacco (including a change of any member of a partnership or association) is to be made, such importer shall give notice, in writing, to the appropriate TTB officer, naming the proposed successor and the desired effective date of the transfer. The proposed successor must, before commencing operations, qualify as an importer of processed tobacco in accordance with this subpart. The importer must give notice of the transfer, and the proposed successor must make application for permit, in ample time for examination and approval thereof before the desired date of such change. The predecessor must make a concluding report, in accordance with § 41.262, and surrender the permit with the report. The successor must make a first report, in accordance with § 41.262.

(c) Change in officers, directors, or stockholders of a corporation. Upon election or appointment (excluding successive reelection or reappointment) of any officer or director of a corporation operating as an importer of processed tobacco, or upon any occurrence that results in a person acquiring ownership or control of more than ten percent in aggregate of the outstanding stock of such corporation, the importer shall, within 30 days of such action, so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing, giving the identity of such person. When there is any change in the authority furnished under § 41.271 for officers to act on behalf of the corporation, the importer must immediately so notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing.

(d) Change in control of corporation. When the issuance, sale, or transfer of the stock of a corporation operating as an importer of processed tobacco results in a change in the identity of the principal stockholders exercising actual or legal control of the operations of the corporation, the corporate manufacturer must, within 30 days after the change occurs, make application on TTB F 5230.4 for a new permit. Otherwise, the present permit shall be automatically terminated at the expiration of such 30-day period, and the importer must make a concluding report, in accordance with § 41.262, and surrender the permit with the report. If the application for a new permit is timely made, the present permit will continue in effect pending final action with respect to such application.

Whenever an importer of processed tobacco intends to relocate the principal business office, the importer must, before commencing operations at the new location, make application on TTB F 5230.5, and obtain an amended permit. Whenever any change occurs in the address, but not the location, of the principal business office of an importer of processed tobacco, as a result of action of local authorities, the importer must, within 30 days of such change, make application on TTB F 5230.5 for an amended permit.

(a) Any person who imports, or who knowingly causes to be imported, processed tobacco must make and keep records of operations and transactions. A person purchasing processed tobacco from the importer in a domestic transaction and who does not knowingly cause the processed tobacco to be imported is not required to make and keep records unless the terms and conditions of the importation are controlled by the person placing the order with the importer (for example, the importer is not an independent contractor but the agent of the person placing the order). Records maintained must reflect the date and quantity of processed tobacco:

(1) Imported;

(2) Received otherwise than through importation;

(3) Returned to customs custody;

(4) Transferred or sold to a person who holds a TTB permit as an importer or manufacturer of tobacco products or of processed tobacco or as an export warehouse proprietor;

(5) Transferred or sold to a person who does not hold a TTB permit as an importer or manufacturer of tobacco products or of processed tobacco or as an export warehouse proprietor; and

(6) Lost or destroyed.

(b) The records of any importer who transfers or sells processed tobacco to a person who does not hold a TTB permit as an importer or manufacturer of tobacco products or of processed tobacco or as an export warehouse proprietor must include dated, commercial records that show the following information about each removal:

(1) The full name and address (including city and State) of the purchaser (or recipient, if there is no purchaser);

(2) The full name, address (including city and State), and driver's license number of the person picking up the processed tobacco for delivery;

(3) The license number of the vehicle in which the processed tobacco is picked up for delivery to purchaser or transferee;

(4) The street address of the destination of the processed tobacco;

(5) The quantity of processed tobacco in the shipment;

(6) A declaration by the purchaser (or recipient, if no purchaser) of the specific purpose of the purchase or receipt (for example, delivery to another, resale); and

(7) A declaration by the purchaser (or recipient, if no purchaser) of the name and address of his or her principal when acting as an agent.

(c) The entries in the records required under this section must be made for each day by the close of the business day following the day on which the transfer or sale occurs. Although no particular format for the records is prescribed, the required information must be readily ascertainable from the records kept.

(d) An importer operating under the transitional rule, set forth in § 41.233, must also comply with the requirements of this section.

(a) General. Every importer of processed tobacco must prepare a monthly report on TTB F 5220.6 in accordance with the instructions for the form. The report must be prepared at the times specified in this section and must be prepared whether or not any operations or transactions occurred during the period covered by the report. The importer must retain a copy of each report in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.

(b) First report(s). The first monthly report must be submitted by the 15th day of the month following the month in which the permit is issued. If the importer is operating as an importer of processed tobacco under the transitional rule in accordance with § 41.233, the importer must submit the first report by the 15th day of the month following the month in which TTB provides written acknowledgement of the receipt of the application filed under § 41.232.

(c) Reports of no activity. Reports with the notation “No Activity” must be made for those months in which no activity occurs.

(d) Reports of sales and transfers. An importer who transfers or sells processed tobacco to someone other than a person holding a TTB permit as an importer or manufacturer of processed tobacco or tobacco products or as an export warehouse proprietor must report such sale or transfer on TTB F 5250.2 by the close of the business day on the day following the transfer or sale, in accordance with the instructions on the form. An importer operating under the transitional rule set forth in § 41.233 must comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

(e) Concluding report. When a transfer of ownership of the business of an importer of processed tobacco described in § 41.252(b) occurs, or when a change in control of a corporation described in § 41.252(d) occurs, a concluding report with the notation “Concluding Report” must be made for the month or partial month during which the transfer of ownership or change in control becomes effective. A concluding report must also be made for the month or partial month during which an importer concludes operations under the permit or authorization.

All records and reports required by this subpart must be maintained separately, chronologically by transaction or reporting date, at the importer's principal place of business. The appropriate TTB officer may, pursuant to a written request, authorize files, or an individual file, to be maintained at another business location under the control of the importer, provided that the alternative location does not cause undue inconvenience to TTB when attempting to examine the files and does not delay the timely transmittal of any documents required to be submitted to TTB.

If the application for a permit or authorization or any report or other document required to be executed under this subpart is to be signed by an individual (including one of the partners for a partnership or one of the members of an association) as an attorney in fact for any person, or if an individual is otherwise to officially represent such person, power of attorney on TTB F 5000.8 shall be furnished to the appropriate TTB officer. Such power of attorney is not required for persons whose authority is furnished with the corporate documents as required by § 41.234. Form 5000.8 does not have to be filed again with an appropriate TTB officer where such form has previously been submitted to TTB and is still in effect.

For other applicable provisions pertaining to forms prescribed, retention of records, interference with administration, alternate methods or procedures, emergency variations from requirements, penalties and forfeitures, and delegations of the Administrator, see subpart C of this part.

Where the appropriate TTB officer has reason to believe that an importer of processed tobacco has not in good faith complied with the provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, and regulations thereunder, or with any other provision of 26 U.S.C. with intent to defraud, or has violated any condition of his permit, or has failed to disclose any material information required or made any material false statement in the application for the permit, or is, by reason of previous or current legal proceedings involving a felony violation of any other provision of Federal criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes, not likely to maintain operations in compliance with 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, or has been convicted of a felony violation of any provision of Federal or State criminal law relating to tobacco products, processed tobacco, cigarette paper, or cigarette tubes, the appropriate TTB officer shall issue an order, stating the facts charged, citing such person to show cause why his permit should not be suspended or revoked. Such citation shall be issued and opportunity for hearing afforded in accordance with part 71 of this chapter, which part is applicable to such proceedings. If, after hearing, the hearing examiner, or on appeal, the Administrator, finds that such person has not shown cause why his permit should not be suspended or revoked, such permit shall be suspended for such period as the appropriate TTB officer deems proper or shall be revoked.

A manufacturer of tobacco products, an export warehouse proprietor, or a customs warehouse proprietor, on specific approval by the appropriate TTB officer as provided in this section, may use an alternate method or procedure in lieu of a method or procedure specifically prescribed in this part. The appropriate TTB officer may approve an alternate method or procedure, subject to stated conditions, when he finds that—

(a) Good cause has been shown for the use of the alternate method or procedure.

(b) The alternate method or procedure is within the purpose of, and consistent with the effect intended by, the specifically prescribed method or procedure, and affords equivalent security to the revenue, and

(c) The alternate method or procedure will not be contrary to any provision of law, and will not result in an increase in cost to the Government or hinder the effective administration of this part. No alternate method or procedure relating to the giving of any bond or to the assessment, payment, or collection of tax, shall be authorized under this section. Where a manufacturer or proprietor desires to employ an alternate method or procedure, he shall submit a written application to the appropriate TTB officer. The application shall specifically describe the proposed alternate method or procedure, and shall set forth the reasons therefor. Alternate methods or procedures shall not be employed until the application has been approved by the appropriate TTB officer. The manufacturer or proprietor shall, during the period of authorization of an alternate method or procedure, comply with the terms of the approved application. Authorization for any alternate method or procedure may be withdrawn whenever in the judgment of the appropriate TTB officer the revenue is jeopardized or the effective administration of this part is hindered. The manufacturer or proprietor shall retain, as part of his records, any authorization of the appropriate TTB officer under this section.

The appropriate TTB officer may approve methods of operation other than as specified in this part, where he finds that an emergency exists and the proposed variations from the specified requirements are necessary, and the proposed variations—

(a) Will afford the security and protection to the revenue intended by the prescribed specifications,

(b) Will not hinder the effective administration of this part, and

(c) Will not be contrary to any provision of law. Variations from requirements granted under this section are conditioned on compliance with the procedures, conditions, and limitations set forth in the approval of the application. Failure to comply in good faith with such procedures, conditions, and limitations shall automatically terminate the authority for such variations and the manufacturer, export warehouse proprietor, or customs warehouse proprietor, thereupon shall fully comply with the prescribed requirements of regulations from which the variations were authorized. Authority for any variations may be withdrawn whenever in the judgment of the appropriate TTB officer the revenue is jeopardized or the effective administration of this part is hindered by the continuation of such variation. Where a manufacturer or proprietor desires to employ such variation, he shall submit a written application to the appropriate TTB officer. The application shall describe the proposed variations and set forth the reasons therefor. Variations shall not be employed until the application has been approved. The manufacturer or proprietor shall retain, as part of his records, any authorization of the appropriate TTB officer under this section.

Where there is a change in the name of an individual operating as an export warehouse proprietor he shall, within 30 days of such change, make application on Form 2098 (5200.16) for an amended permit.

Where there is a change in, or an addition or discontinuance of, a trade name used by an export warehouse proprietor in connection with operations authorized by his permit, the proprietor shall, within 30 days of such change, addition, or discontinuance, make application on Form 2098 (5200.16) for an amended permit to reflect such change. The proprietor shall also furnish a true copy of any new trade name certificate or document issued to him, or statement in lieu thereof, required by § 44.85.

Where there is a change in the name of a corporate export warehouse proprietor the proprietor shall, within 30 days of such change, make application on Form 2098 (5200.16) for an amended permit. The proprietor shall also furnish such documents as may be necessary to establish that the corporate name has been changed.

If an administrator, executor, receiver, trustee, assignee, or other fiduciary, is to take over the business of an export warehouse proprietor, as a continuing operation, such fiduciary shall, before commencing operations, make application for permit and file bond as required by subpart D of this part, furnish certified copies, in duplicate, of the order of the court, or other pertinent documents, showing his appointment and qualification as such fiduciary, and make an opening inventory, in accordance with the provisions of § 44.144; Provided, That where a diagram has been furnished by the predecessor, in accordance with the provisions of § 44.88, the successor may adopt such diagram. However, where a fiduciary intends merely to liquidate the business, qualification as an export warehouse proprietor will not be required if he promptly files with the appropriate TTB officer a statement to that effect, together with an extension of coverage of the predecessor's bond, executed by the fiduciary, also by the surety on such bond, in accordance with the provisions of § 44.126.

Where there is any change in the officers or directors of a corporation operating the business of an export warehouse proprietor, the proprietor shall furnish to the appropriate TTB officer notice, in writing, of the election of the new officers or directors within 30 days after such election.

Where the issuance, sale, or transfer of the stock of a corporation, operating as an export warehouse proprietor, results in a change in the identity of the principal stockholders exercising actual or legal control of the operations of the corporation, the corporate proprietor shall, within 30 days after the change occurs, make application for a new permit; otherwise, the present permit shall be automatically terminated at the expiration of such 30-day period, and the proprietor shall dispose of all cigars, cigarettes, and cigarette papers and tubes on hand, in accordance with this part, make a closing inventory and closing report, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 44.146 and 44.151, respectively, and surrender his permit with such inventory and report. If the application for a new permit is timely made, the present permit shall continue in effect pending final action with respect to such application.

Whenever an export warehouse proprietor contemplates changing the location of his warehouse, the proprietor shall, before commencing operations at the new location, make an application, on Form 2098 (5200.16) for an amended permit. The application shall be supported by an extension of coverage of the bond filed under this part, in accordance with the provisions of § 44.126.

Whenever any change occurs in the address, but not the location, of the warehouse of an export warehouse proprietor, as a result of action of local authorities, the proprietor shall, within 30 days of such change, make application on Form 2098 (5200.16) for an amended permit.

Where an export warehouse is to be changed to an extent which will make inaccurate the description of the warehouse as set forth in the last application by the proprietor for permit, or the diagram, if any, furnished with such application, the proprietor shall first make application on Form 2098 (5200.16) for, and obtain, an amended permit. Such application shall describe the proposed change in the warehouse and shall be accompanied by a new diagram if required under § 44.88.

In cases of emergency, the appropriate TTB officer may authorize, for a stated period, the temporary use of a place for the temporary storage of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes, without making the application or furnishing the extension of coverage of bond required under §§ 44.111 and 44.126, or the temporary separation of warehouse premises by means other than those specified in § 44.89, where such action will not hinder the effective administration of this part, is not contrary to law, and will not jeopardize the revenue.

(a) Every export warehouse proprietor shall at the times specified in this subpart make a true and accurate inventory of products held on TTB Form 5220.3 (3373).

(b) This inventory shall be subject to verification by an appropriate TTB officer. A copy of each inventory shall be retained by the export warehouse proprietor for 3 years following the close of the calendar year in which the inventory is made and shall be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon request.

An opening inventory shall be made by the export warehouse proprietor at the time of commencing business. The date of commencing business under this part shall be the effective date indicated on the permit issued under § 44.93. A similar inventory shall be made by the export warehouse proprietor when he files a superseding bond. The date of such inventory shall be the effective date of such superseding bond.

A special inventory shall be made by the export warehouse proprietor whenever required by any appropriate TTB officer.

A closing inventory shall be made by the export warehouse proprietor when he transfers ownership or concludes business. Where the proprietor transfers ownership the closing inventory shall be made as of the day preceding the date of the opening inventory of the successor.

Every export warehouse proprietor shall make a report on Form 5220.4 of all tobacco products, cigarette papers and tubes, and any processed tobacco on hand, received, removed, transferred, and lost or destroyed. Such report shall be made at the times specified in this subpart and shall be made whether or not any operations or transactions occurred during the period covered by the report. A copy of each report shall be retained by the export warehouse proprietor at his warehouse for 3 years following the close of the calendar year covered in such reports, and made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon his request.

An opening report, covering the period from the date of the opening inventory, or inventory made in connection with a superseding bond, to the end of the month, shall be made on or before the 20th day following the end of the month in which the business was commenced.

A report for each full month shall be made on or before the 20th day following the end of the month covered in the report.

A special report, covering the unreported period to the day preceding the date of any special inventory required by an appropriate TTB officer, shall be made with such inventory. Another report, covering the period from the date of such inventory to the end of the month, shall be made on or before the 20th day following the end of the month in which the inventory was made.

A closing report, covering the period from the first of the month to the date of the closing inventory, or the day preceding the date of an inventory made in connection with a superseding bond, shall be made with such inventory.

Remission of the tax liability on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes may be extended to the export warehouse proprietor liable for the tax where such articles in bond are lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of such proprietor. Where articles are so lost or destroyed the proprietor shall report promptly such fact, and the circumstances, to the appropriate TTB officer. If the proprietor wishes to be relieved of the tax liability, the proprietor must prepare and file a claim on TTB Form 5620.8. The nature, date, place, and extent of the loss or destruction must be stated in such claim. The claim must be accompanied by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid. When the appropriate TTB officer has acted on the claim, such officer will return a copy of TTB Form 5620.8 to the proprietor as notice of such action. The proprietor must keep the copy of TTB Form 5620.8 for 3 years following the close of the calendar year in which the claim is filed.

A claim for abatement of the unpaid portion of the assessment of any tax on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes, or any liability in respect of such tax, alleged to be excessive in amount, assessed after the expiration of the period of limitation applicable thereto, or erroneously or illegally assessed, shall be filed on Form 5620.8. Such claim shall set forth the reasons relied upon for the allowance of the claim and shall be supported by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid.

The taxes paid on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes may be refunded (without interest) to an export warehouse proprietor on proof satisfactory to the appropriate TTB officer that the claimant proprietor paid the tax on such articles which were after taxpayment lost (otherwise than by theft) or destroyed, by fire, casualty, or act of God, while in the possession or ownership of such export warehouse proprietor, or withdrawn by him from the market. Any claim for refund under this section shall be prepared on Form 5620.8, in duplicate, and shall include a statement that the tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. 7652 or chapter 52, was paid in respect to the articles covered by the claim, and that the articles were lost, destroyed, or withdrawn from the market within 6 months preceding the date the claim is filed. The claim must be filed on TTB Form 5620.8 and supported by such evidence as is necessary to establish to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the claim is valid. The duplicate of the claim shall be retained by the export warehouse proprietor for 3 years following the close of the calendar year in which the claim is filed. Where an export warehouse proprietor has paid the tax on tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes, he may file claim for refund of an overpayment of tax under subpart A of part 46 of this chapter if, at the time the tax was paid, these articles had been exported, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of in such a manner that tax was not due and payable.

All tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes will, before removal or transfer under this subpart, be put up by the manufacturer in packages which shall bear the label or notice, tax classification, and mark, as required by this subpart. For purposes of this subpart, the package does not include the cellophane wrapping material.

No certificate, coupon, or other device purporting to be or to represent a ticket, chance, share, or an interest in, or dependent on, the event of a lottery shall be contained in, attached to, or stamped, marked, written, or printed on any package of tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes.

No indecent or immoral picture, print, or representation shall be contained in, attached to, or stamped, marked, written, or printed on any package of tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes.

Every package of tobacco products shall, before removal from the factory under this subpart, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, a mark as specified in this section. The mark may consist of the name of the manufacturer removing the product and the location (by city and State) of the factory from which the products are to be so removed, or may consist of the permit number of the factory from which the products are to be so removed. Any trade name of the manufacturer approved as provided in § 40.65 of this chapter may be used in the mark as the name of the manufacturer.) As an alternative, where tobacco products are both packaged and removed by the same manufacturer, either at the same or different factories, the mark may consist of the name of such manufacturer if the factory where package is identified on or in the package by a means approved by the appropriate TTB officer. Before using the alternative, the manufacturer shall notify the appropriate TTB officer in writing of the name to be used as the name of the manufacturer and the means to be used for identifying the factory where packaged. If approved by him the appropriate TTB officer shall return approved copies of the notice to the manufacturer. A copy of the approved notice shall be retained as part of the factory records at each of the factories operated by the manufacturer.

Every package of tobacco products shall, before removal from the factory under this subpart, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, the words “Tax-exempt. For use outside U.S.” or the words “U.S. Tax-exempt. For use outside U.S.” except where a stamp, sticker, or notice, required by a foreign country or a possession of the United States, which identifies such country or possession, is so imprinted or affixed.

Before removal from a factory under this subpart, every package of cigars shall have adequately imprinted on it, or on a label securely affixed to it—

(a) The designation “cigars”;

(b) The quantity of cigars contained in the package; and

(c) For small cigars, the classification of the product for tax purposes; (i.e., either “small” or “little”).

Each shipping case, crate, or other container in which tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes are to be shipped or removed, under this part, shall bear a distinguishing number, such number to be assigned by the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor. Removals of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes from an export warehouse shall be made, insofar as practicable, in the same containers in which they were received from the factory.

Tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes transferred or removed from a factory or an export warehouse, under this part, without payment of tax, shall be consigned as required by this subpart.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are transferred, without payment of tax, from a factory to an export warehouse or between export warehouses, such articles shall be consigned to the export warehouse proprietor to whom such articles are to be delivered.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are returned by an export warehouse proprietor to a manufacturer or where cigars are so returned to a customs warehouse proprietor, such articles shall be consigned to the manufacturer or customs warehouse proprietor to whom the shipment is to be returned.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for delivery to officers of the armed forces of the United States in this country for subsequent shipment to, and use by, the armed forces outside the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall consign such articles to the receiving officer at the armed forces base or installation, in this country, to which they are to be delivered.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse, for direct delivery to a vessel or aircraft for transportation to a noncontiguous foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall consign the shipment directly to the vessel or aircraft, or to his agent at the port for delivery to the vessel or aircraft.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse and are destined for ultimate delivery in a noncontiguous foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, but the shipment is to be delivered in the United States to a Federal department or agency, or to an authorized dispatch agent, transportation officer, or port director of such a department or agency for forwarding on to the place of destination of the shipment, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall consign the shipment to the Federal department or agency, or to the proper dispatch agent, transportation officer, or port director of such department or agency.

Where tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for export to a contiguous foreign country, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall consign the shipment to the district director of customs at the border or other port of exit.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for delivery to a vessel or aircraft engaged in an activity for the Government of the United States or a foreign government, for consumption as supplies beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall consign the shipment to the proper officer on board the vessel or aircraft to which the shipment is to be delivered.

Where tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for consumption as supplies beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall consign the shipment to the district director of customs at the port at which the shipment is to be laden.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for delivery to a foreign-trade zone, under zone restricted status for the purpose of exportation or storage, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall consign the shipment to the Zone Operator in care of the customs officer in charge of the zone.

Tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes removed from a factory or an export warehouse, for export by parcel post to a person in a foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, shall be addressed and consigned to such person when the articles are deposited in the mails. Waiver of his right to withdraw such articles from the mails shall be stamped or written on each shipping container and be signed by the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment.

For each shipment of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes transferred or removed from his factory, under bond and this part, the manufacturer shall prepare a notice of removal, Form 5200.14, and for each shipment of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes transferred or removed from his export warehouse, under bond and this part, the export warehouse proprietor shall prepare a notice of removal, Form 5200.14. Each such notice shall be given a serial number by the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor in a series beginning with number 1, with respect to the first shipment removed from the factory or export warehouse under this part and commencing again with number 1 on January 1 of each year thereafter.

After actual removal from his factory or export warehouse of the shipment described on the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall, except where the shipment is to be exported by parcel post, promptly forward one copy of the notice of removal to the appropriate TTB officer. A copy of each such notice shall be retained by the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor as a part of his records, for 3 years following the close of the calendar year in which the shipment was removed and shall be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon his request. The manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall dispose of the other copies of each notice of removal as required by this subpart.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are transferred from a factory to an export warehouse or between export warehouses, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall forward three copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14 to the export warehouse proprietor to whom the shipment is consigned. Immediately upon receipt of the shipment at his warehouse, the export warehouse proprietor shall properly execute the certificate of receipt on each copy of the notice of removal, noting thereon any discrepancy; return one copy to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer; retain one copy at his warehouse as a part of his records; and file the remaining copy with his report, required by § 44.147.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from an export warehouse for return to the factory, or cigars are removed from such a warehouse for return to a customs warehouse, the export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall forward two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the manufacturer or customs warehouse proprietor to whom the shipment is consigned. Immediately upon receipt of the shipment at his factory or warehouse, the manufacturer or customs warehouse proprietor shall properly execute the certificate of receipt on both copies of the notice of removal, noting thereon any discrepancy, and return one copy to the export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer. The other copy of the notice of removal shall be retained by the manufacturer or customs warehouse proprietor, as a part of his records, for 3 years following the close of the calendar year in which the shipment was received and shall be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon his request.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for delivery to officers of the armed forces of the United States in this country for subsequent shipment to, and use by, the armed forces outside the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the removal shall forward a copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the officer at the base or installation authorized to receive the articles described on the notice of removal. Upon execution by the armed forces receiving officer of the certificate of receipt on the copy of the notice of removal, he shall return such copy to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for direct delivery to a vessel or aircraft for transportation to a noncontiguous foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall file two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, with the office of the district director of customs at the port where the shipment is to be laden. Such copies of the notice of removal should be filed with the related shipper's export declaration, Commerce Form 7525-V. In the event the copies of the notice of removal are not filed with the shipper's export declaration, when the copies of the notice are filed with the district director of customs they shall show all particulars necessary to enable that officer to associate the notice with the related shipper's export declaration and any other documents filed with his office in connection with the shipment. After the vessel or aircraft on which the shipment has been laden clears or departs from the port of lading the customs authority shall execute the certificate of exportation on both copies of the notice of removal, retain one copy for his records, and deliver or transmit the other copy to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse and are destined for ultimate delivery in a noncontiguous foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, but the shipment is to be delivered to a Federal department or agency, or to an authorized dispatch agent, transportation officer, or port director of such a department or agency for forwarding on to the place of destination of the shipment, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall furnish a copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the Federal department or agency, or an officer thereof at the port, receiving the shipment for ultimate transmittal to the place of destination, in order that such department, agency, or officer can properly execute the certificate of receipt on such notice to evidence receipt of the shipment for transmittal to a place beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States. After completing such certificate, the Federal department, agency, or officer shall return the copy of the notice of removal, so executed, to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

(a) Where tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for export to a contiguous foreign country, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall—

(1) Furnish to the district director of Customs at the port of exit two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, together with the related shipper's export declaration, Commerce Form 7525-V (if required); and,

(2) If copies of the notice of removal are not filed with the shippers export declaration, or if a shipment is for the armed forces of the United States in the contiguous foreign country and a shipper's export declaration is not required, show all the information on the notice of removal when it is filed so that the Customs officer is able to associate the notice with the related shipper's export declaration (if any) or other documents filed with Customs for the shipment.

(b) When a shipment has been cleared by Customs from the United States, and when the Customs officer at the port of exit is satisfied that the products have departed from the United States, he shall—

(1) Complete the certificate of exportation on both copies of the notice of removal;

(2) Retain one copy of the notice of removal for his records; and,

(3) Return the other copy to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

(c) The Customs officer may, when he considers it necessary to establish that the merchandise was actually exported, require a landing certificate before he completes the certificate of exportation specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. If practical, the Customs officer will give advance notice to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor of the type of transactions for which a landing certificate will be required. However, failure to notify the manufacturer or proprietor in advance will not prevent the Customs officer from requiring a landing certificate for specific exportations when he considers it necessary to protect the revenue. In any case, the Customs officer will advise the manufacturer or proprietor before departure of the shipment from the United States as to those exports for which a landing certificate will be required.

(d) The provisions of this section relating to landing certificates also apply when a Form 5200.14 is not required for each transaction (for example: When multiple exportations, individually documented by commercial records, are consolidated on a single Form 5200.14 pursuant to an approved alternate procedure under § 44.72). The provisions apply to each transaction, regardless of the manner in which it is documented, unless specifically provided otherwise in the alternate procedure.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for direct delivery to a vessel or aircraft, engaged in an activity for the Government of the United States or a foreign government, for consumption as supplies beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall forward a copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the officer of the vessel or aircraft authorized to receive the shipment. Upon execution by the receiving officer of the vessel or aircraft of the certificate of receipt on the copy of the notice of removal, he shall return such copy to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for delivery to a vessel or aircraft entitled to receive such articles for consumption as supplies beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall file two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, with the district director of customs at the port where the shipment is to be laden in sufficient time to permit delivery of the two copies of the notice of removal to the customs officer who will inspect the shipment and supervise its lading. After inspection and lading of the shipment the customs officer shall note on the copies of the notice of removal any discrepancy between the shipment inspected and laden under his supervision and that described on the notice of removal or any limitation on the quantity to be laden; complete and sign the certificate of inspection and lading; and return both copies of the notice of removal to the district director of customs. The district director of customs shall execute the certificate of clearance on both copies of the notice of removal, retain one copy for his records, and forward the other copy to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer. Where the vessel or aircraft does not clear from the port at which the shipment is laden, the customs officer supervising the lading of the shipment shall require the person on board the vessel or aircraft authorized to receive the shipment to execute the certificate of receipt on both copies of the notice of removal to indicate the trade or activity in which the vessel or aircraft is engaged.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse for delivery to a foreign-trade zone, under zone restricted status for the purpose of exportation or storage, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall forward two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the customs officer in charge of the zone. Upon receipt of the shipment, the customs officer shall execute the certificate of receipt on each copy of the form, noting thereon any discrepancy, retain one copy for his records, and forward the other copy to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes are removed from a factory or an export warehouse, for export by parcel post, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall present one copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, together with the shipping containers, to the postal authorities with the request that the postmaster or his agent execute the certificate of mailing on the form. Where the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor so desires, he may cover under one notice of removal all the merchandise removed under this part for export by parcel post which is delivered at one time to the postal service for that purpose. The manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall immediately file the receipted copy of the notice of removal with the appropriate TTB officer.

If, after removal of a shipment from a factory or an export warehouse, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor desires to divert the shipment to another consignee, he shall so notify the appropriate TTB officer. The manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall describe the shipment, set forth the serial number and date of the notice of removal under which the shipment was removed from his factory or export warehouse, and furnish the name and address of the new consignee, who shall comply with all applicable provisions of this part.

A manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor may return to his factory or export warehouse, without internal revenue supervision when so authorized by the appropriate TTB officer, tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes previously removed therefrom, under this part, but not yet exported. The manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall, prior to returning the articles to his factory or export warehouse, make application to the appropriate TTB officer for permission so to do, which application shall be accompanied by two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, under which the articles were originally removed. If less than the entire shipment is intended to be returned to the factory or export warehouse, the application shall set forth accurately the articles to be returned and shall show what disposition was made of the remainder of the original shipment and any other facts pertinent to such shipment. Where the appropriate TTB officer approves the application, he shall so indicate by endorsement to that effect on each of the copies of the notice of removal, set forth the articles for which return is approved, and return both copies of the notice of removal to the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor concerned. Upon receipt of the copies of the notice of removal bearing the endorsement of the appropriate TTB officer, the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor shall return the articles to his factory or export warehouse, properly modify and execute the certificate of receipt on each copy of the notice of removal, return one such copy to the appropriate TTB officer, and retain the other copy as a part of his records.

If, on arrival of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes at the port of exportation, the vessel or aircraft for which they are intended is not prepared to receive the articles, they may be properly stored at the port for not more than 30 days. In the event of any further delay, the facts shall be reported by the manufacturer or export warehouse proprietor to the appropriate TTB officer and unless such officer approves an extension of time in which to effect lading and clearance of the shipment it must be returned to the factory or export warehouse.

Where an export warehouse proprietor desires to destroy any of the tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes stored in his warehouse, he shall notify the appropriate TTB officer of the kind and quantity of such articles to be destroyed and the date on which he desires the destruction to take place in order that the appropriate TTB officer may assign an appropriate TTB officer to inspect the articles and supervise their destruction. The export warehouse proprietor shall prepare a notice of removal, Form 5200.14, describing the articles to be destroyed. After witnessing the destruction of the articles, the appropriate TTB officer shall certify to their destruction on two copies of the notice of removal and return them to the export warehouse proprietor, who shall retain one copy for his records and file the other copy with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where the customs warehouse proprietor desires to withdraw cigars from his warehouse, without payment of tax, under this subpart, he shall, prior to making the first withdrawal, file a bond, Form 2104 (5200.15), conditioned upon compliance with the provisions of 26 U.S.C. chapter 52, and regulations thereunder, including, but not limited to, the timely payment of taxes imposed by such chapter, for which he may be responsible to the United States, and penalties and interest in connection therewith. The provisions of §§ 44.121 and 44.122 are applicable to the bond required under this section.

The amount of the bond filed by the customs warehouse proprietor, as required by § 44.243, shall be not less than the estimated amount of tax which may at any time constitute a charge against the bond: Provided, That the amount of any such bond (or the total amount where original and strengthening bonds are filed) shall not exceed $25,000 nor be less than $1,000. The charges against such bond shall be subject to increase as withdrawals are made and decrease as required evidence of exportation is received by the appropriate TTB officer with respect to cigars withdrawn. When the limit of liability under a bond given in less than the maximum amount has been reached, further withdrawals shall not be made thereunder until a strengthening or superseding bond is filed as required by § 44.245 or § 44.246.

Where the appropriate TTB officer determines that the amount of the bond, under which the customs warehouse proprietor is withdrawing cigars for shipment under this subpart, no longer adequately protects the revenue, and such bond is in an amount of less than $25,000, the appropriate TTB officer may require the proprietor to file a strengthening bond in an appropriate amount with the same surety as that on the bond already in effect, in lieu of a superseding bond to cover the full liability on the basis of § 44.244. The appropriate TTB officer shall refuse to approve any strengthening bond where any notation is made thereon which is intended or which may be construed as a release of any former bond, or as limiting the amount of either bond to less than its full amount.

The customs warehouse proprietor shall file a new bond to supersede his current bond, immediately when (a) the corporate surety on the current bond becomes insolvent, (b) the appropriate TTB officer approves a request from the surety on the current bond to terminate his liability under the bond, (c) payment of any liability under a bond is made by the surety thereon, or (d) the appropriate TTB officer considers such a superseding bond necessary for the protection of the revenue.

The liability of a surety on any bond required by this subpart shall be terminated only as to operations on and after the effective date of a superseding bond, or the date of approval of the customs warehouse proprietor's request for termination, or otherwise, in accordance with the termination provisions of the bond. The surety shall remain bound in respect of any liability for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest, not in excess of the amount of the bond, incurred by the proprietor while the bond is in force.

Cigars shall, before withdrawal under this part, be put up by the customs warehouse proprietor in packages which shall bear the label or notice, tax classification, and mark, as required by this subpart.

No certificate, coupon, or other device purporting to be or to represent a ticket, chance, share, or an interest in, or dependent on, the event of a lottery shall be contained in, attached to, or stamped, marked, written, or printed on any package of cigars withdrawn under this subpart.

No indecent or immoral picture, print, or representation shall be contained in, attached to, or stamped, marked, written, or printed on any package of cigars withdrawn under this subpart.

Every package of cigars shall, before withdrawal from the customs warehouse under this subpart, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed thereto, the name and location of the manufacturer. There shall also be adequately stated on each such package the number of cigars contained in the package.

Every package of cigars shall, before withdrawal from the customs warehouse under this subpart, have adequately imprinted thereon, or on a label securely affixed the words “Tax-exempt. For use outside U.S.” or the words “U.S. Tax-exempt. For use outside U.S.”, except where a stamp, sticker, or notice, required by a foreign country or a possession of the United States, which identifies such country or possession, is so imprinted or affixed.

Before withdrawal of cigars from a customs warehouse under this subpart, every package of cigars shall have adequately imprinted on it, or on a label securely affixed to it—

(a) The designation “cigars”;

(b) The quantity of cigars contained in the package; and

(c) For small cigars, the classification of the product for tax purposes (i.e., either “small” or “little”).

Each shipping case, crate, or other container, in which cigars are to be withdrawn, under this subpart, shall bear a distinguishing number, such number to be assigned by the customs warehouse proprietor.

Cigars withdrawn from a customs warehouse, without payment of tax, under internal revenue bond and this part, shall be consigned in the same manner as provided by subpart J of this part with respect to the removal of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes from a factory or an export warehouse.

For each shipment to be withdrawn under this subpart, the customs warehouse proprietor shall prepare a notice of removal, Form 5200.14. Each such notice shall be given a serial number by the proprietor in a series beginning with number 1, with respect to the first shipment withdrawn under this subpart and commencing again with number 1 on January 1 of each year thereafter.

After actual withdrawal from his warehouse of the shipment described on the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, the customs warehouse proprietor shall, except where the shipment is to be exported by parcel post, promptly forward one copy of the notice of removal to the appropriate TTB officer. A copy of each such notice shall be retained by the customs warehouse proprietor as a part of his records, for 3 years following the close of the calendar year in which the shipment was withdrawn, and shall be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon his request. The proprietor shall dispose of the other copies of each notice of removal as required by this subpart.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for delivery to officers of the armed forces of the United States in this country for subsequent shipment to, and use by, the armed forces outside the United States, the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall forward a copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the officer at the base or installation authorized to receive the cigars described on the notice of removal. Upon execution by the armed forces receiving officer of the certificate of receipt on the copy of the notice of removal, he shall return such copy to the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for direct delivery to a vessel or aircraft for transportation to a noncontiguous foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, the customs warehouse proprietor making the withdrawal shall file two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, with the office of the district director of customs at the port where the shipment is to be laden. Such copies of the notice of removal should be filed with the related shipper's export declaration, Commerce Form 7525-V. In the event the copies of the notice of removal are not filed with the shipper's export declaration, when the copies of the notice are filed with the district director of customs they shall show all particulars necessary to enable that officer to associate the notice with the related shipper's export declaration and any other documents filed with his office in connection with the shipment. After the vessel or aircraft on which the shipment has been laden clears or departs from the port of lading the customs authority shall execute the certificate of exportation on both copies of the notice of removal, retain one copy for his records, and deliver or transmit the other copy to the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse and are destined for ultimate delivery in a noncontiguous foreign country, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or a possession of the United States, but the shipment is to be delivered to a Federal department or agency, or to an authorized dispatch agent, transportation officer, or port director of such a department or agency for forwarding on to the place of destination of the shipment, the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall furnish a copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the Federal department or agency, or an officer thereof at the port, receiving the shipment for ultimate transmittal to the place of destination, in order that such department, agency, or officer, can properly execute the certificate of receipt on such notice to evidence receipt of the shipment for transmittal to a place beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States. After completing such certificate, the Federal department, agency, or officer, shall return the copy of the notice of removal, so executed, to the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for export to a contiguous foreign country, the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall furnish to the district director of customs at the border or other port of exit two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, together with the related shipper's export declaration, Commerce Form 7525-V. In the event the copies of the notice of removal are not filed with the shipper's export declaration or, in the case of a shipment for the armed forces of the United States in the contiguous foreign country where no shipper's export declaration is required, the copies of the notice when filed with the district director of customs shall show all particulars necessary to enable that officer to associate the notice with the related shipper's export declaration, if any, and any other documents filed with his office in connection with the shipment. After the shipment has been cleared by customs from the United States, the customs authority at the port of exit shall complete the certificate of exportation on both copies of the notice of removal, retain one copy for his records, and transmit the other copy to the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for direct delivery to a vessel or aircraft, engaged in an activity for the Government of the United States or a foreign government, for consumption as supplies beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall forward a copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the officer of the vessel or aircraft authorized to receive the shipment. Upon execution by the receiving officer of the vessel or aircraft of the certificate of receipt on the copy of the notice of removal, he shall return such copy to the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for delivery to a vessel or aircraft entitled to receive such articles for consumption as supplies beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue laws of the United States, the customs warehouse proprietor making shipment shall file two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, with the district director of customs at the port where the shipment is to be laden in sufficient time to permit delivery of the two copies of the notice of removal to the customs officer who will inspect the shipment and supervise its lading. After inspection and lading of the shipment the customs officer shall note on the copies of the notice of removal any discrepancy between the shipment inspected and laden under his supervision and that described on the notice of removal or any limitation on the quantity to be laden; complete and sign the certificate of inspection and lading; and return both copies of the notice of removal to the district director of customs. The district director of customs shall execute the certificate of clearance on both copies of the notice of removal, retain one copy for his records, and forward the other copy to the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer. Where the vessel or aircraft does not clear from the port at which the shipment is laden, the customs officer supervising the lading of the shipment shall require the person on board the vessel or aircraft authorized to receive the shipment to execute the certificate of receipt on both copies of the notice of removal to indicate the trade or activity in which the vessel or aircraft is engaged.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for delivery to an export warehouse, the proprietor of the customs warehouse shall forward to the proprietor of the export warehouse three copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, covering the shipment, for execution and disposition in accordance with procedure similar to that set forth in § 44.200 in connection with a shipment of tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes from a factory to an export warehouse. The executed copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, returned to the customs warehouse proprietor by the export warehouse proprietor shall be filed with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for delivery to a foreign-trade zone, under zone restricted status for the purpose of exportation or storage, the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment shall forward two copies of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, to the customs officer in charge of the zone. Upon receipt of the shipment, the customs officer shall execute the certificate of receipt on each copy of the form, noting thereon any discrepancy, retain one copy for his records, and forward the other copy to the customs warehouse proprietor making the shipment for filing with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are withdrawn from a customs warehouse for export by parcel post, the customs warehouse proprietor shall present one copy of the notice of removal, Form 5200.14, together with the shipping containers, to the postal authorities with the request that the postmaster or his agent execute the certificate of mailing on the form. Where a customs warehouse proprietor so desires, he may cover under one notice of removal all the cigars removed under this part for export by parcel post which are delivered at one time to the postal service for that purpose. The customs warehouse proprietor shall immediately file the receipted copy of the notice of removal with the appropriate TTB officer.

Where cigars are returned to a customs warehouse from an export warehouse, the officer in charge of the customs warehouse shall execute the certificate of receipt on each of the copies of the related Form 5200.14 received from the export warehouse proprietor, after checking the containers to determine whether all the cigars described on the notice have been received. Thereafter, both copies of the Form 5200.14 shall be turned over to the proprietor of the customs warehouse who shall return one copy to the export warehouse proprietor for disposition as provided in § 44.201. The customs warehouse proprietor shall retain the other copy of the notice of removal, as a part of his records, for 3 years following the close of the calendar year in which the shipment was received. Such copy shall be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon his request.

A customs warehouse proprietor may return to his warehouse cigars previously withdrawn therefrom, under this subpart, provided he promptly files with the appropriate TTB officer a copy of the Form 5200.14 under which the cigars were originally withdrawn, with the certificate of receipt properly modified and executed by the customs officer in charge of the warehouse to show return of the shipment. If less than the entire shipment is returned to the warehouse, the form shall state what disposition was made of the remainder of the original shipment and any other facts pertinent to such shipment. The customs warehouse proprietor shall retain a copy of such form as a part of his records for 3 years after the close of the calendar year in which the shipment was returned. Such copy shall be made available for inspection by any appropriate TTB officer upon request.

The regulations in this subpart relate to the limitations imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6423, on the refund or credit of tax paid or collected in respect to any article of a kind subject to a tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. chapter 52.

The provisions of this subpart apply only where the credit or refund is claimed on the grounds that an amount of tax was assessed or collected erroneously, illegally, without authority, or in any manner wrongfully, or on the grounds that such amount was excessive. This subpart does not apply to:

(a) Any claim for drawback,

(b) Any claim made in accordance with any law expressly providing for credit or refund where an article is withdrawn from the market, returned to bond, lost, or destroyed, and

(c) Any claim based solely on errors in computation of the quantity of an article subject to tax or on mathematical errors in computation of the amount of the tax due, or to any claim in respect of tax collected or paid on an article seized and forfeited, or destroyed, as contraband.

For the purposes of this subpart, the claimant, or owner, shall be treated as having borne the ultimate burden of an amount of tax only if:

(a) He has not, directly or indirectly, been relieved of such burden or shifted such burden to any other person,

(b) No understanding or agreement exists for any such relief or shifting, and

(c) If he has neither sold nor contracted to sell the articles involved in such claim, he agrees that there will be no such relief or shifting, and furnishes bond as provided in § 46.10.

No credit or refund to which this subpart is applicable shall be allowed or made, pursuant to a court decision or otherwise, of any amount paid or collected as a tax unless a claim therefor has been filed, as provided in this subpart, by the person who paid the tax and the claimant, in addition to establishing that he is otherwise legally entitled to credit or refund of the amount claimed, establishes:

(a) That he bore the ultimate burden of the amount claimed, or

(b) That he has unconditionally repaid the amount claimed to the person who bore the ultimate burden of such amount, or

(c) That (1) the owner of the article furnished him the amount claimed for payment of the tax, (2) he has filed with the appropriate TTB officer the written consent of such owner to the allowance to the claimant of the credit or refund, and (3) such owner satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.

Any person who, having paid the tax with respect to an article, desires to claim refund or credit of any amount of such tax to which the provisions of this subpart are applicable must:

(a) File a claim, as provided in § 46.7,

(b) Comply with any other provisions of law or regulations which may apply to the claim, and

(c) If, at the time of filing the claim, neither he nor the owner has sold or contracted to sell the articles involved in the claim, file a bond on TTB Form 5620.10, as provided by § 46.10.

Claims to which this subpart is applicable must be executed on Form 2635 (5620.8) in accordance with instructions for the form. (For provisions relating to hand-carried documents, see § 70.304 of this chapter.) The claim shall set forth each ground upon which the claim is made in sufficient detail to apprise the appropriate TTB officer of the exact basis therefor. Allegations pertaining to the bearing of the ultimate burden relate to additional conditions which must be established for a claim to be allowed and are not in themselves legal grounds for allowance of a claim. There shall also be attached to the form and made a part of the claim the supporting data required by § 46.8. All evidence relied upon in support of such claim shall be clearly set forth and submitted with the claim.

Claims to which this subpart is applicable, in addition to the requirements of § 46.7, must set forth or contain the following:

(a) A statement that the claimant paid the amount claimed as a “tax” as defined in this subpart.

(b) Full identification (by specific reference to the form number, the date of filing, the place of filing, and the amount paid on the basis of the particular form or return) of the tax forms or returns covering the payments for which refund or credit is claimed.

(c) The written consent of the owner to allow the refund or credit to the claimant (where the owner of the article on which the tax was paid has furnished the claimant the amount claimed for the purpose of paying the tax).

(d) If the claimant or the owner, as the case may be, has neither sold nor contracted to sell the articles involved in the claim, a statement that the claimant or the owner, as the case may be, agrees not to shift, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, the burden of the tax to any other person.

(e) If the claim is for refund of a floor stocks tax, or of an amount resulting from an increase in rate of tax applicable to an article, a statement as to whether the price of the article was increased on or following the effective date of such floor stocks tax or rate increase, and, if so, the date of the increase, together with full information as to the amount of such price increase.

(f) Specific evidence (such as relevant records, invoices, or other documents, or affidavits of individuals having personal knowledge of pertinent facts) which will satisfactorily establish the conditions of allowance set forth in § 46.5.

No credit or refund of any amount of tax to which the provisions of this subpart apply shall be made unless the claimant files a claim therefor within the time prescribed by law and in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.

Each claim for a refund or credit of tax on articles which the claimant or the owner, as the case may be, has neither sold nor contracted to sell at the time of filing of the claim must be accompanied by a bond on TTB Form 5620.10. The bond shall be executed by the claimant or the owner of the articles, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this subpart and the instructions printed on the form. Such bond shall be conditioned that there will be no relief or shifting of the ultimate burden of the tax to any other person. The penal sum shall not be less than the amount of tax claimed on all articles which have not been sold or contracted for sale at the time of filing of the claim. Bonds required by this subpart shall be given with corporate surety or with collateral security. A separate bond must be filed for each claim.

(a) Surety bonds required under the provisions of this subpart may be given only with corporate sureties holding certificates of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury as acceptable sureties on Federal bonds. Limitations concerning corporate sureties are prescribed by the Secretary in the current revision of the Treasury Department Circular No. 570 (refer to paragraph (c) of this section). The surety shall have no interest whatever in the business covered by the bond.

(b) Each bond and each extension of coverage of bond shall at the time of filing be accompanied by a power of attorney authorizing the agent or officer who executed the bond to so act on behalf of the surety. The appropriate TTB officer who is authorized to approve the bond may, whenever he deems it necessary, require additional evidence of the authority of the agent or officer to execute the bond or extension of coverage of bond. The power of attorney shall be prepared on a form provided by the surety company and executed under the corporate seal of the company. If the power of attorney submitted is other than a manually signed document, it shall be accompanied by a certificate of its validity.

(c) Treasury Department Circular No. 570 (Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies) is published in the Federal Register annually as of the first workday in July. As they occur, interim revisions of the circular are published in the Federal Register. Copies may be obtained from the Audit Staff, Bureau of Government Financial Operations, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20226.

In lieu of corporate surety, the principal may pledge and deposit securities which are transferable and are guaranteed as to both interest and principal by the United States, in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR part 225.

An appropriate TTB officer may approve all bonds required by this subpart.

Securities of the United States, pledged and deposited as provided by § 46.12, shall be released only in accordance with the provisions of 31 CFR part 225. When the appropriate TTB officer is satisfied that they may be released, he shall fix the date or dates on which a part or all of such securities may be released. At any time prior to the release of such securities, the appropriate TTB officer may, for proper cause, extend the date of release for such additional length of time as he deems necessary.

It is an offense punishable by fine and imprisonment for anyone to make or cause to be made any false or fraudulent claim upon the United States, or to make any false or fraudulent statements, or representations, in support of any claim, or to falsely or fraudulently execute any documents required by the provisions of the internal revenue laws, or any regulations made in pursuance thereof.

When used in this subpart, the following terms shall have the meanings given in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Words in the plural form shall include the singular, and vice versa, and words indicating the masculine gender shall include the feminine. The terms “includes” and “including” do not exclude things not listed which are in the same general class.

Act. The Excise Tax Technical Changes Act of 1958 (Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1275), enacted September 2, 1958.

Appropriate TTB officer. An officer or employee of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) authorized to perform any functions relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by TTB Order 1135.46, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 46, Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes.

Claimant. The person who held the tobacco products or cigarette papers and tubes for sale at the time of the disaster and who files claim under this subpart.

Commissioner of Customs. The Commissioner of Customs, U.S. Customs Service, The Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.

Disaster. A flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, storm, or other catastrophe which has occurred in any part of the United States on and after the day following the date of enactment of the act and which the President of the United States has determined, under the Act of September 30, 1950 (64 Stat. 1109; 42 U.S.C. 1855), was a “major disaster” as defined in such Act.

Duly authorized official. Any Federal, State, or local government official in whom has been vested authority to condemn tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes made the subject of a claim under this subpart.

Duty or duties. Any duty or duties paid under the customs laws of the United States.

Removal or remove. The removal of tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes from the factory, or release of such articles from Customs custody.

Sale price. The price for which large cigars are sold by the manufacturer or importer, determined in accordance with §§ 40.22 or 41.39 and used in computation of the tax.

Tax paid or determined. The internal revenue tax on tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes which has acutally been paid, or which has been determined pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 5703(b), and regulations thereunder, at the time of their removal subject to tax payable on the basis of a return.

Tobacco Products. Cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco.

United States. When used in a geographical sense, includes only the States, and the District of Columbia.

An appropriate TTB officer shall allow payment (without interest) of an amount equal to the amount of tax paid or determined, and the Commissioner of Customs shall allow payment (without interest) of an amount equal to the amount of customs duty paid, on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes removed, which are lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official by reason of a disaster occurring in the United States on and after September 3, 1958. Such payments may be made only if, at the time of the disaster, such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes were being held for sale by the claimant. No payment shall be made under this subpart with respect to any amount of tax or duty claimed or to be claimed under any other provision of law or regulations.

Disaster loss claims for tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes must be executed on TTB Form 2635 (5620.8), Claim—Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Taxes, in accordance with the instructions on the form. If a claim involves taxes on both domestic and imported products, the quantities of each must be shown separately in the claim. Prepare a separate claim in respect of customs duties.

The claim should contain the following information:

(a) That the tax on such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes has been paid or determined and customs duty has been paid;

(b) That such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes were lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned by a duly authorized official, by reason of a disaster;

(c) The type and date of occurrence of the disaster and the location of the tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes at that time;

(d) That the claimant was not indemnified by any valid claim of insurance or otherwise in respect of the tax, or tax and duty, on the tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes covered by the claim;

(e) That no amount of internal revenue tax or customs duty claimed has been or will be otherwise claimed under any other provision of law or regulations,

(f) That the claimant is entitled to payment under this subpart, and

(g) The claim must set forth the quantity and kind of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes in sufficient detail to calculate the amount of tax and duty paid on these products, substantially as shown in the examples below:

The claimant must support the claim with any available evidence (such as inventories, statements, invoices, bills, records, stamps, and labels), relating to the tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes on hand at the time of the disaster and claimed to have been lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned as a result thereof. If the claim is for refund of duty, the claimant must furnish, if practicable, the customs entry number, date of entry, and the name of the port of entry.

Disaster loss claims must be filed within 6 months after the date on which the President makes the determination that the disaster has occurred. All forms, including claims for duty on imported products, must be filed with the appropriate TTB officer.

The appropriate TTB officer must act upon each claim for payment (without interest) of an amount equal to the tax paid or determined filed under this subpart and must notify the claimant. Claims and supporting data involving customs duties will be forwarded to the Commissioner of Customs with a summary statement of such officer's findings.

Before payment is made under this subpart in respect of the tax, or tax and duty, on tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes rendered unmarketable or condemned by a duly authorized official, such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes must be destroyed by suitable means under the supervision of an appropriate TTB officer who will be assigned for that purpose by another appropriate TTB officer. However, if the destruction of such tobacco products, or cigarette papers or tubes has already occurred, and if the appropriate TTB officer who acts on the claim is satisfied with the supervision of such destruction, TTB supervision will not be required.

Penalties are provided in 26 U.S.C. 7206 and 7207 for the execution under the penalties of perjury of any false or fraudulent statement in support of any claim and for the filing of any false or fraudulent document under this subpart. All provisions of law, including penalties, applicable in respect of internal revenue taxes on tobacco products, and cigarette papers and tubes shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with this subpart, be applied in respect of the payments provided for in this subpart to the same extent as if such payments constituted refunds of such taxes.

(a) Preparation of TTB Form 5630.5t. Every manufacturer of tobacco products, manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, and export warehouse proprietor is required to pay special (occupational) tax and file a return on TTB Form 5630.5t, “Special Tax Registration and Return—Tobacco.” TTB Form 5630.5t must be completed in accordance with the instructions on the form, and all of the information called for on the form must be provided, including the following:

(1) Name of the taxpayer.

(2) Trade name(s) (if any) of the business(es) subject to special (occupational) tax.

(3) Employer identification number (see § 46.102).

(4) Exact location of the place of business, by name and number of building or street, or if these do not exist, by some specific description in addition to the post office address. In the case of one return for two or more locations, the address to be shown must be the taxpayer's principal place of business (or principal office, in the case of a corporate taxpayer).

(5) Class(es) of special tax to which the taxpayer is subject.

(6) Ownership and control information. This consists of the name, position, and residence address of every owner of the business and of every person having power to control its management and policies with respect to the activity subject to special tax. “Owner of the business” includes every partner, if the taxpayer is a partnership, and every person owning 10 percent or more of its stock, if the taxpayer is a corporation. However, the ownership and control information required by this paragraph need not be stated if the same information has been previously provided to TTB in connection with a permit application and that previously provided information is still current.

(b) Multiple locations and/or classes of tax. A taxpayer subject to special tax for the same period at more than one location or for more than one class of tax must—

(1) File one special tax return, TTB Form 5630.5t, with payment of tax, to cover all such locations and classes of tax; and

(2) Prepare, in duplicate, a list identified with the taxpayer's name, address (as shown on TTB Form 5630.5t), employer identification number, and period covered by the return. The list must show, by State, the name, address, and tax class of each location for which special tax is being paid. The original of the list must be filed with TTB as an attachment to TTB Form 5630.5t, and the copy must be retained at the taxpayer's principal place of business (or principal office, in the case of a corporate taxpayer) for a period of three years from the date of the return.

(c) Signing of TTB Form 5630.5t—(1) By principal. The return of an individual proprietor must be signed by the individual. The return of a partnership must be signed by a general partner. The return of a corporation must be signed by an officer. In each case, the person signing the return must designate his or her capacity as “individual owner,” “member of firm,” or, in the case of a corporation, the officer's title.

(2) By fiduciary. A receiver, trustee, assignee, executor, administrator, or other legal representative who continues the business of a bankrupt, insolvent, deceased, or otherwise incapacitated person must indicate the capacity in which the fiduciary acts.

(3) By agent or attorney in fact. If a return is signed by an agent or attorney in fact, the signature must be preceded by the name of the principal and followed by the title of the agent or attorney in fact. A return signed by a person as agent will not be accepted unless there is filed, with the TTB office with which the return is required to be filed, a power of attorney authorizing the agent to perform the act.

(d) Perjury statement. Each TTB Form 5630.5t must contain, or be verified by, a written declaration that the return has been executed under the penalties of perjury.

(a) Requirement. The employer identification number (as defined in 26 CFR 301.7701-12) of the taxpayer who has been assigned such a number must be shown on each special tax return, including each amended return, filed under this subpart. Failure of the taxpayer to include the employer identification number may result in the imposition of the penalty specified in § 70.113 of this chapter.

(b) Application for employer identification number. Each taxpayer who files a special tax return and who has not already been assigned an employer identification number must file Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form SS-4 to apply for one. The taxpayer must apply for and be assigned only one employer identification number, regardless of the number of places of business for which the taxpayer is required to file a special tax return. The taxpayer must apply for the employer identification number no later than 7 days after the filing of the taxpayer's first special (occupational) tax return. IRS Form SS-4 may be obtained from the director of an IRS service center, from any IRS district director, or from http://www.irs.gov/.

The return, along with remittance of special tax, must be filed on or before the date of commencing business as a manufacturer of tobacco products, manufacturer of cigarette papers or tubes, or export warehouse proprietor, and thereafter every year on or before July 1. If the return and applicable tax are received in the mail and the U.S. postmark on the cover shows that it was deposited in the mail in the United States within the time prescribed for filing in an envelope or other appropriate wrapper which was properly addressed with postage prepaid, the return will be considered as timely filed. If the postmark is not legible, the sender has the burden of proving the date when the postmark was made. When registered mail is used, the date of registration will be accepted as the postmark date. When certified mail is used, the date of the postmark on the sender's receipt of certified mail is treated as the postmark date.

Payment of special tax must be made in cash, or by check or money order payable to Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. If a check or money order so tendered is not honored when presented for payment, the person who tendered the check or money order will remain liable for the payment of the special tax, and for all penalties and additions, to the same extent as if the check or money order had not been tendered. In addition, unless the person who tendered the check or money order can show that the check or money order was issued in good faith, and with reasonable cause to believe that it would be duly paid, there must be paid as penalty an amount equal to 1 percent of the amount of the check or money order, except that if the amount of the check or money order is less than $500, the penalty will be $5, or the amount of the check or money order, whichever is less.

Subject to § 46.106, the appropriate TTB officer will issue a receipt to a taxpayer if cash is received as a remittance in payment of special tax (including penalties and interest, if any), or for any type of remittance received if the taxpayer requests a receipt.

No receipt will be issued in lieu of issuance of a special tax stamp under § 46.116. A receipt may be given only pending the issuance of a stamp, or where the tax liability relates to a prior tax year.

(a) General. Interest is due on unpaid special tax from the date the tax was required to be paid to the date paid. Interest will be charged for each day at the rate prescribed by law in effect on that day. Interest accruing after December 31, 1982, is compounded daily.

(b) Adjusted interest rates. Adjusted interest rates, determined in accordance with the procedure prescribed by 26 U.S.C. 6621(b), are announced quarterly by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The appropriate TTB officer will provide information, when requested, regarding interest rates applicable to specific time periods.

In every case where a special tax return is not filed, or the tax is not paid, at the time prescribed in § 46.103, the delinquency penalties specified in § 46.107 for failure to file a return or for failure to pay the amount shown as tax on the return will be asserted and collected unless a reasonable cause for delay in filing the return or payment of the tax is clearly established. A taxpayer who believes the circumstances that delayed such taxpayer's filing of the return or payment of the tax are reasonable, and who desires to have the penalties waived, must submit with the return a written statement under the penalty of perjury, affirmatively showing all of the circumstances alleged as reasonable causes for delay. If the appropriate TTB officer determines that the delinquency was due to a reasonable cause and not to willful neglect or gross negligence, the addition to the tax will be waived. If the taxpayer exercised ordinary business care and prudence and was nevertheless unable to file the return within the prescribed time, or if the taxpayer made a satisfactory showing that the taxpayer exercised ordinary business care and prudence in providing for payment of the tax liability and was nevertheless either unable to pay the tax or would have suffered an undue hardship if the taxpayer had paid on the due date, then the delay is due to reasonable cause. Mere ignorance of the law will not be considered a reasonable cause.

(a) Issuance of special tax stamps. Upon filing a properly executed return on TTB Form 5630.5t together with the full tax remittance, the taxpayer will be issued an appropriately designated special tax stamp. If the return covers multiple locations, TTB will send to the taxpayer's principal place of business (or principal office in the case of a corporate taxpayer) one appropriately designated stamp for each location listed on the attachment to TTB Form 5630.5t required by § 46.101(b)(2).

(b) Distribution of special tax stamps for multiple locations. On receipt of the special tax stamps, the taxpayer must verify that there is one stamp for each location listed on the attachment to TTB Form 5630.5t and that the information on each stamp is correct. The taxpayer must then forward each stamp to the place of business designated on the stamp. Incorrect stamps must be returned to the appropriate TTB officer as provided in § 46.120.

(c) Examination of special tax stamps. Each stamp denoting payment of special tax must be kept available for inspection by an appropriate TTB officer during business hours at the location for which the stamp is designated.

If a special tax stamp has been lost or destroyed, the taxpayer must immediately notify the TTB officer who issued the stamp. A “Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Special Tax Stamp” will be issued to the taxpayer who submits an affidavit explaining to the satisfaction of the appropriate TTB officer that the stamp was lost or destroyed. The certificate must be kept available for inspection in the same manner as prescribed for a special tax stamp in § 46.116(c).

The provisions of this subpart relating to special tax stamps apply as well to certificates in lieu of lost or destroyed special tax stamps issued to taxpayers under § 46.117.

On receipt of a special tax stamp, the taxpayer must examine it to ensure that the name and address are correctly stated; if not, the taxpayer must return the stamp to the TTB officer who issued it, with a statement showing the nature of the error and the correct name or address. The appropriate TTB officer, on receipt of such stamp and statement, will compare the data on the stamp with that of the Form 5630.5t in TTB files, correct the error if made in the TTB office, and return the stamp to the taxpayer. However, if the error was in the taxpayer's preparation of the Form 5630.5t, the appropriate TTB officer will require the taxpayer to file a new Form 5630.5t, designated “Amended Return,” setting forth the taxpayer's correct name and address, and a statement explaining the error on the original Form 5630.5t. On receipt of the amended Form 5630.5t and a satisfactory explanation of the error, the appropriate TTB officer will make the proper correction on the stamp and return it to the taxpayer.

When a TTB officer discovers on a special tax stamp a material error in the name, ownership, or address of the taxpayer, that officer will require the taxpayer to surrender the erroneous tax stamp and prepare a new Form 5630.5t, designated “Amended Return,” showing correctly all of the information required in § 46.101 and containing, in the body of the form or in an attachment thereto, a statement of the reason for requesting correction of the stamp. On receipt of the amended return and an acceptable explanation for the error, the officer will make the proper correction on the stamp and return it to the taxpayer. However, if the error found by the TTB officer is on a special tax stamp issued as a result of a return on Form 5630.5t filed under § 46.101(b), that officer will instruct the taxpayer to return the stamp, with a statement showing the nature of the error and the correct data, to the TTB officer who issued the stamp, for correction in accordance with § 46.119.

(a) Change in name. If there is a change in the corporate or firm name, or in the trade name, as shown on TTB Form 5630.5t, the taxpayer must file an amended special tax return as soon as practicable after the change, covering the new corporate or firm name, or trade name. No new special tax is required to be paid. The taxpayer must attach the special tax stamp for endorsement of the change in name.

(b) Change in location—(1) General. If there is a change in location of a taxable place of business, the taxpayer must, within 30 days after the change, file with TTB an amended special tax return covering the new location. The taxpayer must attach the special tax stamp or stamps for endorsement of the change in location. No new special tax is required to be paid. However, if the taxpayer does not file the amended return within 30 days, the taxpayer is required to pay a new special tax and obtain a new special tax stamp.

(2) Procedure. If the taxpayer's original return on TTB Form 5630.5t covered only one location, the taxpayer may deliver the amended return and the stamp at any TTB office, or to any TTB officer inspecting the business, in lieu of mailing them to TTB. If the taxpayer's original return covered multiple locations under the provisions of § 46.101(b), he or she must forward with the amended return an attachment showing both the old and new address of any place of business which has been relocated, and the special tax stamp covering the location from which the business was removed. The appropriate TTB officer receiving such return or stamp will, if the return is submitted within the 30-day period, enter the proper endorsement on the stamp and return it to the taxpayer.

(a) General. A special tax stamp is a receipt for tax, personal to the one to whom issued, and is not transferable from one manufacturer of tobacco products, manufacturer of cigarette papers and tubes, or export warehouse proprietor to another. If there is a change in the ownership of a special-tax payer, the successor must pay a new special (occupational) tax and obtain the required special tax stamp(s). Examples of changes in ownership that require payment of a new special tax include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Sale of business;

(2) Formation of a partnership by two persons who have paid special tax;

(3) Addition of a partner;

(4) Incorporation of the business;

(5) Creation of a new corporation to replace one or more corporations that have paid special tax; and

(6) Stockholder continuing the business of a corporation after its dissolution.

(b) Changes that do not require payment of a new special tax. The following changes do not require payment of a special tax:

(1) Increase in capital stock of a corporation.

(2) Change in ownership of any or all of the capital stock of a corporation.

(c) Exemption for certain successors. Persons identified in paragraph (d) of this section as having the right of succession may carry on the business for the remainder of the tax year for which the special tax was paid, without paying a new special tax, if within 30 days after the date on which the successor begins to carry on the business, the successor files with TTB a special tax return on TTB Form 5630.5t showing the basis of succession. A person who is a successor to a business for which special tax has been paid, and who fails to register the succession, is liable for special tax computed from the first day of the calendar month in which the successor began to carry on the business.

(d) Persons having right of succession. The right of succession referred to in paragraph (c) of this section will pass to the identified persons in the following circumstances:

(1) Death. The surviving spouse or child, or the executor, administrator, or other legal representative, of a deceased taxpayer;

(2) Succession of spouse. A husband or wife succeeding to the business of his or her living spouse;

(3) Insolvency. A receiver or trustee in bankruptcy, or an assignee for the benefit of creditors;

(4) Withdrawal from firm. The partner or partners remaining after the death or withdrawal of a member of a partnership.

If a taxpayer through error has filed a return and paid special tax for an incorrect period of liability or for an incorrect class of business, the taxpayer must prepare a corrected TTB Form 5630.5t, designated “Amended Return,” for each tax year involved and must submit the amended return, or returns, with remittance for the total applicable tax and additions to the tax (delinquency penalties and interest), to TTB in accordance with the instructions on the Form 5630.5t or, if the error is discovered by a TTB officer inspecting the premises, to that officer. Subject to the limitations imposed by 26 U.S.C. 6511, the incorrectly paid tax (including additions thereto) may be allowed as a credit against the correct tax (including any additions thereto), as provided in § 46.132, on surrender of the incorrect stamp or stamps, with the amended return or returns noted to show that credit is requested. Any incorrectly paid tax (including additions thereto) that is not credited as provided in § 46.132, including any creditable tax and additions thereto in excess of the correct tax (including additions thereto), may be refunded pursuant to §§ 46.136 through 46.138 if the taxpayer files a corrected return on Form 5630.5t with remittance of the correct amount of tax (including any additions thereto). A new stamp will be issued only for a current period of liability.

(a) General. The appropriate TTB officer may credit the tax (including additions thereto) paid for an incorrect stamp if the taxpayer has filed an amended return showing the correct tax on TTB Form 5630.5t and has, with the amended return, surrendered the incorrect stamp for credit.

(b) Underpayment. Where the correct tax (including any additions thereto) exceeds the incorrect tax paid, the appropriate TTB officer may credit the tax paid against the correct tax upon remittance of the difference between the tax paid and the correct tax plus any additions thereto.

(c) Overpayment. Where the tax (and additions thereto) paid for the surrendered incorrect stamp exceeds the amount due, the appropriate TTB officer will advise the taxpayer to file a claim for refund of that excess on TTB Form 5620.8. Sections 46.136 through 46.138 apply to all claims for refund.

Claims for abatement of assessment of special tax (including penalties and interest), or for refund of an overpayment of special tax (including interest and penalties), must be filed on TTB Form 5620.8. The claim must be filed with the appropriate TTB officer. Each claim must set forth in detail each ground on which it is based and must contain facts sufficient to explain to the appropriate TTB officer the exact basis for the claim. If the claim is for refund of special tax for which a stamp was issued, either the stamp must be attached to and be made a part of the claim, or the claimant must include in the claim a satisfactory explanation of the reason why the stamp cannot be submitted.

No claim for the refund of a special tax or penalty will be allowed unless presented within 3 years after the filing of the related tax return or within 2 years after the payment of such tax or penalty, whichever of these periods expires later.

A dealer who for any reason discontinues business is not entitled to a refund of special tax for the unexpired portion of the tax year for which the special tax stamp was issued.

The regulations in this subpart implement the floor stocks tax on certain tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes held for sale on April 1, 2009.

As used in this subpart, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context in which they are used requires a different meaning or a different definition is prescribed for a particular section or portion of this subpart.

(a) Appropriate TTB officer. An officer or employee of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) authorized to perform any functions relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by TTB Order 1135.46, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR 46, Miscellaneous Regulations Relating to Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes.

(b) Articles subject to floor stocks tax. All Federally taxpaid or tax determined tobacco products (other than large cigars described in 26 U.S.C. 5701(a)(2)), cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes that are held for sale on April 1, 2009.

(c) Cigarette paper. Paper, or any other material except tobacco, prepared for use as a cigarette wrapper.

(d) Cigarette tube. Cigarette paper made into a hollow cylinder for use in making cigarettes.

(e) Controlled group. A related group of dealers under common control. Controlled groups include:

(1) Controlled group of corporations. The term “controlled group of corporations” has the meaning given to that term by 26 U.S.C. 1563(a) and the implementing regulations in 26 CFR 1.1563-1 through 1.1563-4, except that the phrase “more than 50 percent” shall be substituted for the phrase “at least 80 percent” each time it appears. Controlled groups of corporations include, but are not limited to:

(i) Parent-subsidiary controlled groups as defined in 26 CFR 1.1563-1T(a)(2).

(ii) Brother-sister controlled groups as defined in 26 CFR 1.1563-1T(a)(3).

(iii) Combined groups as defined in 26 CFR 1.1563-1T(a)(4).

(2) Nonincorporated dealers under common control. A group of dealers is considered to be a controlled group when the group would qualify as a controlled group of corporations, except for the fact that one or more of the dealers is not incorporated.

(f) Dealer. A person or other entity holding articles subject to floor stocks tax for sale on April 1, 2009, including manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers.

(g) Floor stocks tax. A tax imposed on all Federally taxpaid or tax determined tobacco products (other than large cigars described in 26 U.S.C. 5701(a)(2)), cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes held for sale on April 1, 2009. The floor stocks tax is the difference between the previous excise tax rate and the new excise tax rate.

(h) Foreign trade zone. A foreign trade zone established and operated pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1934, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 81a.

(i) Person. An individual, trust, estate, partnership, association, company, or corporation, any State, including the District of Columbia, or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof.

(j) Tobacco products. Cigars, cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco as described in 26 U.S.C. 5702(a), (b), (m)(2), (m)(3), (n) and (o), respectively.

A person who does not meet the definition of a dealer is not liable for the floor stocks tax under this subpart.

(a) Take inventory. The dealer must establish the quantity of articles subject to the floor stocks tax held for sale on April 1, 2009. The dealer may take a physical inventory or may use a record (book) inventory, as specified in § 46.202 or § 46.203.

(b) Compute tax. The dealer must compute the amount of tax for the articles held for sale on April 1, 2009. Refer to the table in § 46.222. The dealer may apply the tax credit as provided in § 46.223.

(c) File tax return and pay tax. After computing the floor stocks tax, the dealer must file a return even if no tax is due. See § 46.233 for payment methods if tax is due.

(d) Maintain records. The dealer must maintain all records used to determine the quantity of articles subject to floor stocks tax and the quantity of articles held for sale on April 1, 2009 that are not subject to floor stocks tax. The dealer must also maintain records of all computations used to determine the amount of tax owed. Refer to § 46.241.

(a) Date. The dealer must take an inventory to establish the quantities of articles subject to the floor stocks tax held for sale on April 1, 2009. The dealer must take the physical inventory or record (book) inventory not earlier than March 26, 2009 and not later than April 10, 2009.

(b) Reconciliation. If the dealer takes a physical inventory on any day other than April 1, 2009, the resulting records must be reconciled to reflect the actual quantity of articles held at 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2009. These records must include all supporting records of receipt and disposition.

(c) Method. The dealer may take a physical inventory in accordance with § 46.202 or a record (book) inventory in accordance with § 46.203. The following table lists the taxable articles and the method to use for each to determine quantities:

The dealer's physical inventory must result in a written record of:

(a) The quantity and type of each article subject to floor stocks tax recorded in sufficient detail to determine the tax rate as stated in § 46.222. See the table in § 46.201(c) for the information required for each type of article;

(b) The date and time the inventory was taken;

(c) The name of the individual(s) conducting the inventory and the name of the dealer for whom the inventory was taken; and

(d) The location where the inventory was taken (street address, city and State).

(a) The dealer may use a record (book) inventory if the dealer has source records that show:

(1) The quantities of receipts and dispositions of all articles subject to floor stocks tax;

(2) The types and quantities of articles actually on hand as if a physical inventory had taken place on April 1, 2009. See the table in § 46.201(c) for the information required for each type of article;

(3) The name and address of the consignor and consignee. For over the counter sales by retail dealers, the consignee name and address is not required;

(4) The date of receipt or disposition of the articles; and

(5) The brand name of each product.

(b) If the dealer does not take the inventory as of the close of business on the last business day before April 1, 2009, the records must be reconciled as provided in § 46.201(b).

The dealer must include articles subject to floor stocks tax that are in transit in the inventory if the dealer holds title to those articles. If the dealer has transferred title to the article, the dealer must document the title transfer in writing. For example, the dealer may mark the bill of lading with a written statement that indicates the time and place of the title transfer.

The dealer may use the following guidelines to establish who holds title to articles in transit.

(a) If State law mandates the change in title, then no agreement or contract between seller and buyer can alter it.

(b) In the absence of State law governing the change of title between seller and buyer, the Uniform Commercial Code allows the seller and buyer to agree when title passes.

(c) If there is no State law or agreement between the seller and buyer, the Uniform Commercial Code states that title transfer depends on how the seller ships the articles.

(1) If the shipment is free on board (F.O.B.) destination, the title transfer occurs when the seller completes the physical delivery of the articles.

(2) If the shipment is free on board (F.O.B.) shipping point, the title transfer occurs at the time and place of shipment, which is generally by common carrier.

If articles subject to floor stocks tax are stored in a foreign trade zone established under the Foreign Trade Zone Act (the Act of June 18, 1934, 48 Stat. 998, 19 U.S.C. 81a et seq.), the dealer is liable for the tax and must take an inventory in accordance with § 46.207 or when either of the following conditions apply:

(a) Internal revenue taxes have been determined or customs duties liquidated, with respect to the articles pursuant to the first proviso of section 3(a) of the Foreign Trade Zone Act; or

(b) Articles are held by a customs officer pursuant to the second proviso of section 3(a) of the Foreign Trade Zone Act.

If the dealer is a manufacturer or an export warehouse proprietor and holds articles in TTB bond on April 1, 2009, the floor stocks tax does not apply to those articles. Likewise, if the dealer holds articles in a customs bonded warehouse on which tax has not been paid or determined, the floor stocks tax does not apply on those articles. However, if the dealer on April 1, 2009, holds articles in a customs bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone on which tax has been paid or determined pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 5703(b)(2)(B), the floor stocks tax applies to those articles.

Articles that the dealer holds for return to a supplier because of some defect are not subject to the floor stocks tax. However, the dealer must segregate any such unmerchantable articles and include them in a separate section of the inventory record. The dealer cannot include as unmerchantable any items that may be held because of poor market demand or to reduce the dealer's inventory. If, for any reason, the tobacco products or cigarette papers or tubes that were determined to be unmerchantable are not subsequently returned or destroyed, the dealer must file an additional floor stocks tax return and pay tax on such products plus any applicable penalties and interest.

There is no exemption for articles in vending machines. They are subject to the floor stocks tax and must be included in the dealer's inventory record.

Articles marked “not for sale” or “complimentary” that are part of a sale (for example, buy two packs and get one pack free) are subject to the floor stocks tax and must be included in the physical or record (book) inventory as provided in §§ 46.202 or § 46.203.

After the dealer has taken the inventory, the dealer must convert the inventory quantities to taxable units using the table below. For tobacco products, round the quantities to two decimal places. The dealer must then apply the applicable tax rate for each type of taxable article using the table in § 46.221 to determine the amount of tax due.

The dealer is allowed a credit of up to $500 against the total floor stocks tax. However, controlled groups are eligible for only one credit for the entire group. The credit may be divided equally among the members or apportioned in any other manner agreeable to the members.

Form 5000.28T09, 2009 Floor Stocks Tax Return—Tobacco Products and Cigarette Papers and Tubes, is available for printing through the TTB Web site (http://www.ttb.gov) or by mailing a request to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Suite 8002, Cincinnati, OH 45202-5215.

The dealer must complete and file the floor stocks tax return in accordance with the instructions for the form.

(a) Electronic funds transfer. If the dealer pays any other excise taxes collected by TTB by electronic funds transfer, then the dealer must also send the payment for the floor stocks tax by an electronic funds transfer. Other dealers may voluntarily elect to pay the floor stocks tax by electronic funds transfer. Electronic funds transfers of floor stocks tax must be received on or before July 31, 2009.

(b) Check or money order. Dealers not paying floor stocks tax by electronic fund transfer must pay by a check or money order sent with Form 5000.28T09.

Section 701 of Public Law 111-3 specifies a tax payment deadline of August 1, 2009. However, section 5703(b)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code requires that when a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, the preceding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday will be the due date. Therefore, the floor stocks tax is due on July 31, 2009, since August 1, 2009, falls on a Saturday.

The dealer may file a consolidated return if all locations or places of business have the same employer identification number. The dealer also has the option of filing a separate return for each place of business or location.

(a) Articles warehoused at one or more locations must be reported on the tax return representing the location where the articles will be offered for sale.

(b) Articles offered for sale at several locations must be reported on a tax return filed by one or more of the locations. The articles can be reported by a single location or apportioned among several locations.

If the dealer is a member of a controlled group, but has its own employer identification number, the dealer must file a separate floor stocks tax return. The dealer may take the tax credit referred to in § 46.223 if it is apportioned to the dealer as a member of the controlled group.

The dealer must maintain:

(a) Inventory records;

(b) Tax computation records;

(c) Names, addresses and employer identification numbers of all controlled group members, if applicable;

(d) A copy of the tax return, if the dealer filed one;

(e) A list of locations covered by the tax return; and

(f) A copy of any alternate method or procedure approval issued under § 46.263.

The dealer must maintain the required records for a period of three years from the due date of the tax return or the date the return was filed, whichever is later. However, the appropriate TTB officer may require, in writing, that the dealer keep these records for an additional period of not more than 3 years.

The dealer must maintain a list of all places where the dealer holds articles subject to the floor stocks tax. This list must include:

(a) Address;

(b) Name of the proprietor (if different);

(c) The employer identification number (if different); and

(d) Types and quantities of articles held at each location.

The dealer must keep the inventory records at the principal place of business. All records must be made available to an appropriate TTB officer upon demand.

If the inventory records or tax computation records contain an error that resulted in an overpayment of tax, the dealer may file a claim for refund. If the inventory or tax computation records contain an error that resulted in an underpayment of tax, the dealer must file an additional tax return on which the dealer shows and pays the additional tax, interest and any applicable penalties.

Before the dealer can file a claim for refund, the dealer must have paid the floor stocks tax and subsequently determined that there was an overpayment of the tax.

If the dealer overpaid tax due to an error on the return, the dealer may file a claim for refund. The claim must be filed within 3 years from the date the tax return was filed or 2 years from the time the tax was paid, whichever is later. The dealer's claim must be filed on TTB Form 2635 (5620.8). The claim must include detailed and sufficient evidence explaining why the dealer believes the tax was overpaid. The claim and supporting documentation must be mailed or delivered to the address shown on the form.

After the dealer has paid the floor stocks tax, the dealer may file a claim for refund of tax on articles lost, rendered unmarketable, or condemned because of a Presidentially-declared major disaster. Subpart C of this part prescribes the time, evidence, and procedures for filing such a claim.

(a) Manufacturer. Subparts I and K of part 40 of this chapter prescribe the times, reasons and procedures for filing other claims for refunds.

(b) Export warehouse proprietor. Subpart G of part 44 of this chapter prescribes the time, evidence, and procedures for filing other claims for refunds.

(c) Exported taxpaid. If taxpaid articles are shipped from the United States, the dealer may file a claim for drawback of taxes under subpart K of part 44 of this chapter.

(d) Importer. An importer may follow the procedures for filing a claim as set forth in subpart I of part 41 of this chapter.

For purposes of this subpart, an alternate method or procedure is a different way of meeting a requirement imposed by this subpart. An alternate method or procedure must be approved in writing by TTB.

The dealer seeking approval of an alternate method or procedure under this subpart must apply in writing to the National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Room 8002, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-5215. The dealer must describe the alternate method or procedure and reasons the dealer wishes to use it. The dealer cannot use the alternate method until the dealer receives written approval from the appropriate TTB officer.

The alternate method or procedure may be approved if it meets all of the following conditions:

(a) There is good cause for its use;

(b) It is consistent with the purpose and effect intended by the prescribed method or procedure;

(c) It affords equivalent security to the revenue;

(d) It is not contrary to any provision of law;

(e) It will not result in an increase in cost to the Government;

(f) It will not hinder the effective administration of this subpart such as delaying timely payment of taxes; and

(g) It is not a method or procedure that relates to the payment or collection of tax.

The approval will be withdrawn if revenue is jeopardized or administration of this subpart is hindered. The appropriate TTB officer will give the dealer a written notice of the withdrawal.

Appropriate TTB officers, in performing official duties, may enter any premises to examine articles subject to floor stocks tax. They may enter the premises during the day or may also enter at night if the premises are open. Appropriate TTB officers may audit and examine all articles, inventory records, books, papers, or other resource data for the purpose of ascertaining, determining, or collecting floor stocks tax. They may take testimony, under oath, of any person when inquiring as to proper payment of floor stocks taxes.

Appropriate TTB officers can issue summonses when there is no referral to the Justice Department under the authority stated in § 70.22 of this chapter. The summons will state a place and time for such items or person to appear. TTB will issue a summons to require:

(a) Any books of account or other data pertaining to liability for floor stocks tax;

(b) Any person liable for the floor stocks tax or having possession of books of account or other data; and

(c) Any other appropriate person in connection with the books or tax liability.

If the dealer or another person in charge of the premises refuses to admit any appropriate TTB officer or prevents any appropriate TTB officer from examining the records or articles, the dealer may be liable for the penalties described in 26 U.S.C. 7342 or 7212.

If the dealer fails to follow the regulations set forth in this subpart, TTB may apply applicable civil and criminal penalties under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. For example, failure to file and failure to pay penalties may be assessed against the dealer if the dealer does not timely file the tax return or timely pay the taxes due. In addition, interest under 26 U.S.C. 6621 accrues for any underpayment of tax and on all assessed penalties until paid.