Gas Guzzler Tax Explained: What You Need to Know

Definition & Meaning

The gas guzzler tax is an additional tax applied to the sale of certain vehicles that have low fuel economy. This tax was introduced by the U.S. government as part of the Energy Tax Act to encourage manufacturers and consumers to consider fuel efficiency when purchasing vehicles. The gas guzzler tax specifically targets passenger cars and does not apply to light trucks, which include sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and vans. The tax is paid by the vehicle's manufacturer or importer after the production of the model year has concluded. The amount of the tax is indicated on the vehicle's fuel economy label, which is typically found on the window sticker of new cars.

Table of content

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

For instance, if a manufacturer produces a new car model that gets only 15 miles per gallon, it may incur a gas guzzler tax of $1,500. Conversely, a car that achieves 25 miles per gallon would not be subject to this tax.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are a manufacturer or importer of vehicles, ensure that you are aware of the fuel economy ratings of your models to determine if the gas guzzler tax applies. You can utilize resources like US Legal Forms to access templates for tax documentation. If you are a consumer, check the fuel economy label on new cars to understand if a gas guzzler tax has been applied.

Key takeaways