26 USC 4161 - Imposition of tax

U.S Code last checked for updates: Sep 30, 2025

§ 4161.

Imposition of tax

(a)

Sport fishing equipment

(1)

Imposition of tax

(A)

In general

(B)

Limitation on tax imposed on fishing rods and poles

(2)

3 percent rate of tax for electric outboard motors

(3)

3 percent rate of tax for tackle boxes

(4)

Parts or accessories sold in connection with taxable sale

(b)

Bows and arrows, etc.

(1)

Bows

(A)

In general

(B)

Archery equipment

There is hereby imposed on the sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer—

(i)

of any part or accessory suitable for inclusion in or attachment to a bow described in subparagraph (A), and

(ii)

of any quiver, broadhead, or point suitable for use with an arrow described in paragraph (2),

a tax equal to 11 percent of the price for which so sold.

(2)

Arrows

(A)

In general

There is hereby imposed on the first sale by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of any shaft (whether sold separately or incorporated as part of a finished or unfinished product) of a type used in the manufacture of any arrow which after its assembly—

(i)

measures 18 inches overall or more in length, or

(ii)

measures less than 18 inches overall in length but is suitable for use with a bow described in paragraph (1)(A),

a tax equal to 39 cents per shaft.

(B)

Exemption for certain wooden arrow shafts

Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any shaft consisting of all natural wood with no laminations or artificial means of enhancing the spine of such shaft (whether sold separately or incorporated as part of a finished or unfinished product) of a type used in the manufacture of any arrow which after its assembly—

(i)

measures ⁵⁄₁₆ of an inch or less in diameter, and

(ii)

is not suitable for use with a bow described in paragraph (1)(A).

(C)

Adjustment for inflation

(i)

In general

In the case of any calendar year beginning after 2005, the 39-cent amount specified in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to the product of—

(I)

such amount, multiplied by

(II)

the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined by substituting “2004” for “2016” in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.

(ii)

Rounding

(3)

Coordination with subsection (a)

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 489; Pub. L. 89–44, title II, § 205(a), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 140; Pub. L. 92–558, title II, § 201(a), Oct. 25, 1972, 86 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title X, §§ 1015(a), 1017(a), (b), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1017, 1021; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1899A(48), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2961; Pub. L. 105–34, title XIV, § 1433(a), Aug. 5, 1997

cite as: 26 USC 4161