Library / Laws / 113th / s / S. 826 / Introduced in Senate
II
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 826
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 25, 2013
Mr. Reid (for
Mr. Lautenberg (for himself,
Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Harkin, and Mr.
Durbin)) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on
Finance
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform and
enforce taxation of tobacco products.
1.
Short title and table of
contents
(a)
Short
title
This Act may be cited as the Tobacco Tax and Enforcement Reform
Act.
(b)
Table of
contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
TITLE I—Tobacco Tax Increase and Parity
Sec. 101. Tobacco tax increase and parity.
TITLE II—Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1986
Sec. 201. Amendment of 1986 code.
Sec. 202. Machines used to manufacture or package tobacco
products or processed tobacco.
Sec. 203. Improved marking and labeling.
Sec. 204. Wholesalers and manufacturers, importers, and sellers
of tobacco production machines required to have permit.
Sec. 205. Conditions of permit.
Sec. 206. Records to be maintained.
Sec. 207. Reports.
Sec. 208. Fraudulent offenses.
Sec. 209. Penalties.
Sec. 210. Coordination with other government
officials.
Sec. 211. Definitions.
Sec. 212. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 213. Effective date.
TITLE III—Import Fraud
Sec. 301. Maximum penalty for importation of tobacco products
and cigarette papers and tubes by fraudulent means.
TITLE IV—Exclusions regarding Indian Tribes and Tribal
matters
Sec. 401. Exclusions regarding Indian Tribes and Tribal
matters.
I
Tobacco Tax
Increase and Parity
101.
Tobacco tax
increase and parity
(a)
Increase in
excise tax on small cigars and cigarettes
(1)
Small
cigars
Section 5701(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by striking $50.33 and inserting
$97.55.
(2)
Cigarettes
Section
5701(b) of such Code is amended—
(A) by striking
$50.33 in paragraph (1) and inserting $97.55,
and
(B) by striking
$105.69 in paragraph (2) and inserting
$204.09.
(b)
Tax parity for
pipe tobacco and roll-Your-Own tobacco
(1)
Pipe
tobacco
Section 5701(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by striking $2.8311 cents and inserting
$49.55.
(2)
Roll-your-own
tobacco
Section 5701(g) of such Code is amended by striking
$24.78 and inserting $49.55.
(c)
Clarification
of definition of small cigars
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section
5701(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are each amended by striking
three pounds per thousand and inserting four and one-half
pounds per thousand.
(d)
Clarification
of definition of cigarette
Paragraph (2) of section 5702(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting before the final
period the following: , which includes any roll for smoking containing
tobacco that weighs no more than four and a half pounds per thousand, unless it
is wrapped in whole tobacco leaf and does not have a cellulose acetate or other
cigarette-style filter.
(e)
Tax parity for
smokeless tobacco
(1)
In
general
Section 5701(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended—
(A) in paragraph (1),
by striking $1.51 and inserting $25.91;
(B) in paragraph (2),
by striking 50.33 cents and inserting $10.37;
and
(C) by adding at the
end the following:
(3)
Smokeless
tobacco sold in discrete single-use units
On discrete single-use
units, $97.55 per each 1,000 single-use
units.
.
(2)
Discrete
single-use unit
Section 5702(m) of such Code is amended—
(A) in paragraph (1),
by striking or chewing tobacco and inserting chewing
tobacco, discrete single-use unit;
(B) in paragraphs (2)
and (3), by inserting that is not a discrete single-use unit
before the period in each such paragraph; and
(C) by adding at the
end the following:
(4)
Discrete
single-use unit
The term discrete single-use unit
means any product containing tobacco that—
(A) is intended or
expected to be consumed without being combusted; and
(B) is in the form of
a lozenge, tablet, pill, pouch, dissolvable strip, or other discrete single-use
or single-dose
unit.
.
(3)
Other tobacco
products
Section 5701 of such Code is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
(i)
Other tobacco
products
Any product not otherwise described under this section
that has been determined to be a tobacco product by the Food and Drug
Administration through its authorities under the Family Smoking Prevention and
Control Act shall be taxed at a level of tax equivalent to the tax rate for
cigarettes on an estimated per use basis as determined by the
Secretary.
.
(f)
Clarifying
other tobacco tax definitions
(1)
Tobacco product
definition
Section 5702(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by inserting before the period the following: , and any other
product containing tobacco that is intended or expected to be
consumed.
(2)
Cigarette tube
definition
Section 5702(f) of such Code is amended by inserting
before the period or cigars.
(3)
Importer
definition
Section 5702(k) of such Code is amended by inserting
or any other tobacco product after cigars or
cigarettes.
(4)
Pipe tobacco
definition
Section 5702(n) of such Code is amended—
(A) by striking
The term and inserting the following:
(1)
In
general
The term
;
and
(B) by adding at the
end the following:
(2)
Roll-your-own
tobacco
Any tobacco that meets the definition under both this
subsection and section 5702(o) shall be treated as roll-your-own tobacco under
section 5702(o).
(3)
Exception
Paragraph
(2) shall not apply to a product that, as of January 1, 2009, was either
commercially marketed in the United States in packaging that bore, pursuant to
part 40 or 41 of title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, a designation as
pipe tobacco or Tax Class L, or is substantially
equivalent to such product, provided that such product is widely used as pipe
tobacco.
.
(g)
Inflation
adjustment
Section 5701 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended by subsection (f)(3), is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
(j)
Inflation
adjustment
In the case of any calendar year after 2013, each
amount set forth in this section shall be increased by an amount equal
to—
(1) such amount,
multiplied by
(2) the cost-of-living
adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year by
substituting calendar year 2012 for calendar year
1992 in subparagraph (B)
thereof.
.
(h)
Floor Stocks
Taxes
(1)
Imposition of
tax
On tobacco products manufactured in or imported into the
United States which are removed before any tax increase date and held on such
date for sale by any person, there is hereby imposed a tax in an amount equal
to the excess of—
(A) the tax which
would be imposed under section 5701 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the
article if the article had been removed on such date, over
(B) the prior tax (if
any) imposed under section 5701 of such Code on such article.
(2)
Credit against
tax
Each person shall be allowed as a credit against the taxes
imposed by paragraph (1) an amount equal to $500. Such credit shall not exceed
the amount of taxes imposed by paragraph (1) on such date for which such person
is liable.
(3)
Liability for
tax and method of payment
(A)
Liability for
tax
A person holding tobacco products on any tax increase date to
which any tax imposed by paragraph (1) applies shall be liable for such
tax.
(B)
Method of
payment
The tax imposed by paragraph (1) shall be paid in such
manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by regulations.
(C)
Time for
payment
The tax imposed by paragraph (1) shall be paid on or
before the date that is 120 days after the effective date of the tax rate
increase.
(4)
Articles in
foreign trade zones
Notwithstanding the Act of June 18, 1934
(commonly known as the Foreign Trade Zone Act, 48 Stat. 998, 19 U.S.C. 81a et
seq.), or any other provision of law, any article which is located in a foreign
trade zone on any tax increase date shall be subject to the tax imposed by
paragraph (1) if—
(A) internal revenue
taxes have been determined, or customs duties liquidated, with respect to such
article before such date pursuant to a request made under the 1st proviso of
section 3(a) of such Act, or
(B) such article is
held on such date under the supervision of an officer of the United States
Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security pursuant
to the 2d proviso of such section 3(a).
(5)
Definitions
For
purposes of this subsection—
(A)
In
general
Any term used in this subsection which is also used in
section 5702 of such Code shall have the same meaning as such term has in such
section.
(B)
Tax increase
date
The term tax
increase date means the effective date of any increase in any tobacco
product excise tax rate pursuant to the amendments made by this section (other
than subsection (g) thereof).
(C)
Secretary
The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury or the
Secretary’s delegate.
(6)
Controlled
groups
Rules similar to the rules of section 5061(e)(3) of such
Code shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
(7)
Other laws
applicable
All provisions of law, including penalties, applicable
with respect to the taxes imposed by section 5701 of such Code shall, insofar
as applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection,
apply to the floor stocks taxes imposed by paragraph (1), to the same extent as
if such taxes were imposed by such section 5701. The Secretary may treat any
person who bore the ultimate burden of the tax imposed by paragraph (1) as the
person to whom a credit or refund under such provisions may be allowed or
made.
(i)
Effective
Date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to articles
removed (as defined in section 5702(j) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986)
after December 31, 2013.
II
Amendments to
Internal Revenue Code of 1986
201.
Amendment of
1986 code
Except as otherwise
expressly provided, whenever in this title an amendment or repeal is expressed
in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
202.
Machines used
to manufacture or package tobacco products or processed tobacco
(a)
In
general
Section 5762 is
amended—
(1) by redesignating
subsection (b) as subsection (c), and
(2) by inserting after
subsection (a) the following new subsection:
(b)
Machines used To
manufacture or package tobacco products or processed tobacco
(1)
Transfer of
manufacturing machines to licensed persons
Any tobacco production machine may be sold,
leased, imported, exported, delivered, or otherwise made available only to
persons—
(A) lawfully engaged
in—
(i) the sale, lease,
importation, exportation, or delivery of such machines,
(ii) the manufacture
or packaging of tobacco products or processed tobacco, or
(iii) the application of unique identification
markings onto tobacco product or processed tobacco packages pursuant to section
5723, and
(B) that have all
Federal, State, local, and Indian tribal government permits, registrations, and
licenses required to engage in such activities.
(2)
Transfer of
machines to persons engaged in illegal manufacture of contraband
No tobacco production machine shall
knowingly be manufactured for or be (directly or indirectly) sold, leased,
imported, exported, delivered, or otherwise made available to any person
engaged in the illegal manufacture, distribution, or sale of counterfeit or
contraband tobacco products or processed tobacco, unique identification
markings, or other tax-payment indicia.
(3)
Registration of
machines
(A)
In
general
Every person having possession or custody of, or having
control over, the installation of any tobacco production machine shall register
such machine with the Secretary immediately on its being installed, by
subscribing and filing with the Secretary a statement, in writing, setting
forth the particular place where such machine is installed, the kind of machine
and its capacity, the owner thereof, the owner’s place of residence, and the
purpose for which the machine has been or is intended to be used.
(B)
Exception
Under
regulations prescribed by the Secretary, this paragraph shall not apply to any
tobacco production machine not used or intended to be used—
(i) for the
manufacture or production of cigarette or cigars, or to manufacture any other
tobacco product or processed tobacco,
(ii) to package any
tobacco product or processed tobacco, or
(iii) to apply unique
identification markings to any package.
(4)
Records
(A)
In
general
Any person selling,
leasing, importing, exporting, delivering, or otherwise making available a
tobacco production machine shall maintain and keep records, as the Secretary
prescribes by regulation, relating to any transfers of the machine, including
the name, address, other contact information, and any permit, registration, or
license number of the person receiving delivery of the machine, or to whom the
machine is otherwise transferred, as the case may be.
(B)
5-Year holding
period for records
Any record required to be maintained and kept
under subparagraph (A) shall be kept for the 5-year period beginning on the
first date such record is required to be so maintained and kept.
(C)
Availability of
records
Such records shall be available for inspection by any
internal revenue officer during business hours.
(D)
Safe
harbor
An ordinary commercial record or invoice shall satisfy the
requirements of this paragraph if such record or invoice contains all of the
information required under subparagraph (A).
(5)
Violations
(A)
In
general
Whoever knowingly violates paragraph (1), (2), or (3)
shall, for each offense, be fined not more than $10,000 or an amount equal to 3
times the fair market value of the tobacco product machine involved (whichever
is greater), or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(B)
Recordkeeping
Whoever
knowingly violates paragraph (4) shall, for each offense, be fined not more
than
$10,000.
.
(b)
Tobacco
production machine
Section 5702 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
(q)
Tobacco
production machine
The term
tobacco production machine means any machine (or component
integral to the operation of such a machine) used to manufacture or package
tobacco products or processed tobacco or to apply unique identification
markings or other tax-payment indicia to packages of tobacco products or
processed tobacco. Such term includes any machine used to produce tobacco
products for compensation, lease, or hire, or otherwise used in a commercial
setting.
.
(c)
Conforming
amendment
Subsection (c) of section 5762 (as so redesignated) is
amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting
subsections (a) and (b).
(d)
Effective
date
The amendment made by this section shall apply to transfers
more than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
203.
Improved
marking and labeling
(a)
In
general
Subsection (b) of
section 5723 is amended to read as follows:
(b)
Marks, labels,
and notices
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), every package of
tobacco products, processed tobacco, or cigarette papers or tubes shall, before
removal, bear the marks, labels, and notices that the Secretary by regulation
prescribes.
(2)
Marking
requirements for domestic market
(A)
In
general
Each person who is a
manufacturer or importer of tobacco products or processed tobacco shall (in
accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary) ensure that, before
any product intended for sale or distribution within the United States is
removed, a unique identification marking is affixed to or forms part of each
package of tobacco product or processed tobacco manufactured or imported by
such person for sale or distribution.
(B)
Markings on
individual packages
Any
markings required to be placed on a tobacco product or processed tobacco
package by this subsection shall be placed on the innermost sealed container
visible from the outside of the individual package. For any tobacco product or
processed tobacco package that contains multiple smaller packages of tobacco
products or processed tobacco, any markings required to be so placed on tobacco
product or processed tobacco packages shall be placed on all the individual
tobacco product or processed tobacco packages.
(C)
Markings on
aggregate packing modes
To
facilitate efficient tracking and tracing of tobacco products or processed
tobacco through the distribution system, all manufacturers or importers of
tobacco products or processed tobacco shall, in addition to such unique
identification marking, also, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Secretary, ensure that unique identification markings are affixed to or form
part of aggregate packing modes (such as cartons, cases, and master cases for
cigarettes). The Secretary shall determine the size, location, and methods for
such markings. The Secretary shall establish regulations requiring that all
persons within the distribution chain, up to but not including the ultimate
retailer, utilize the unique identification markings on aggregate packing modes
to facilitate the tracking and tracing of tobacco products or processed tobacco
through the distribution system.
(3)
Marking
requirements for exports
A unique identification marking shall be
affixed to or form part of each package of tobacco product or processed tobacco
that is exported, or sold for export, that distinguishes it from those products
or processed tobacco intended for sale or distribution within the United
States. The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe the size, location, and
other characteristics of such marking, and it may contain a serial number that
is assigned to the country of export, except that no such serial number shall
be required on tobacco products or processed tobacco sold at retail to
consumers by duty free stores for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the
internal revenue laws of the United States. Such tobacco products or processed
tobacco shall instead bear markings indicating the tobacco product or processed
tobacco is only for duty-free sale to consumers, as prescribed through
regulation by the Secretary, before the product or processed tobacco is
removed.
(4)
Authorization of
federal unique identification marking
Not later than 3 years
after the date of the enactment of the Tobacco Tax and Enforcement Reform Act, the
Secretary shall by regulation require the use of a unique identification
marking on all products subject to tax under this
chapter.
.
(b)
Unique
identification marking
Section 5723 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
(f)
Unique
identification marking
(1)
In
general
No tobacco product or processed tobacco may be sold,
offered for sale, distributed, mailed, or otherwise delivered for final sale to
any consumer in the United States unless the unique identification marking that
meets the requirements of this section (and any regulations prescribed
thereunder) is affixed to or forms part of the package in which it is
contained.
(2)
System
specifications
(A) The Secretary
shall design such system to coordinate and avoid interference with State,
local, and Indian tribal tax stamps and markings, facilitate collection of the
tax imposed by this chapter, impede contraband tobacco trafficking, minimize
counterfeit marking, allow for more effective tracking and tracing of tobacco
products and processed tobacco, facilitate the enforcement of related Federal
laws, and utilize such available technology as may promote the purposes of this
chapter.
(B) The Secretary
shall prescribe the method and manner in which such unique identification
markings are to be distributed, purchased, and applied to or made part of
tobacco product and processed tobacco packages, and may provide for the
cancellation of such markings.
(C) The unique
identification marking must provide (through the marking or record associated
with the marking) such information as the Secretary by regulation prescribes,
including:
(i) A
unique serial number or tracking code for each tobacco product or processed
tobacco package or aggregate package.
(ii) The name and
address of the person purchasing the marking (and, if different, of the person
ensuring the marking is affixed to or made part of the package).
(iii) The name and
address of the first unrelated person purchasing or otherwise receiving the
tobacco product or processed tobacco from the person who ensures the marking is
affixed to or made part of the package and the date of such purchase or
receipt.
(D) The information
described in subparagraph (C) may be required to, to the extent
practicable—
(i) be
cryptographically encrypted, and
(ii)
(I) be readable by a
portable scanning device (or similar device) to be utilized by regulatory and
law enforcement officials at the time and place of inspection, or
(II) be otherwise accessible remotely at such
time and place.
(3)
Unrelated
person
For purposes of this subsection, the term unrelated
person means a person other than a related person within the meaning of
section 267(b) or
707(b)(1).
.
(c)
Definitions
Section
5723, as amended by subsection (b), is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsections:
(g)
Package
defined
For purposes of this section, the term
package means a pack, box, carton, or container of any kind or, if
no other container, any wrapping (including cellophane), in which a tobacco
product or processed tobacco is sold, offered for sale, distributed, or
otherwise delivered for final sale to any consumer.
(h)
Unique
identification marking defined
For purposes of this section, the term
unique identification marking means a device in such design and
denomination as the Secretary authorizes by regulation that is affixed to or
made part of a package of a tobacco product or processed tobacco. Such markings
shall contain overt security features for public authentication and covert
security features embedding a unique, secure, encrypted identifier onto the
marking, enabling law enforcement authentication, production control, and
tracking and tracing of the product or processed tobacco bearing the
marking.
.
(d)
Regulations
The
Secretary of the Treasury shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of subsection (f), and
paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (b), of section 5723 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section).
204.
Wholesalers and
manufacturers, importers, and sellers of tobacco production machines required
to have permit
(a)
Wholesalers
Section 5712 is amended by inserting
, as a wholesaler, after or processed
tobacco.
(b)
Manufacturers,
importers, and sellers of tobacco production machines
Section 5712 is amended by striking
or as an export warehouse proprietor and inserting , as
an export warehouse proprietor, or as a manufacturer, seller, or importer of
tobacco production machines.
205.
Conditions of
permit
(a)
Issuance
Subsection (a) of section 5713 is amended
to read as follows:
(a)
Issuance
(1)
In
general
A person shall not
engage in business as a manufacturer or importer of tobacco products or
processed tobacco, as a wholesaler, as an export warehouse proprietor, or as a
manufacturer, seller, lessor, or importer of tobacco production machines
without a permit to engage in such business. Such permit, conditioned upon
compliance with this chapter and regulations issued thereunder, shall be issued
in such form and in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe,
to every person properly qualified under sections 5711 and 5712. Any entity
granted such a permit is not eligible to provide any services the Secretary may
elect to procure to facilitate the purposes of section 5723. Permit holders
shall automatically count output and register, record, and transmit the
quantities measured, in the form, conditions, and time limits established by
the Secretary. A new permit may be required at such other time as the Secretary
shall by regulation prescribe.
(2)
Conditions
The
Secretary shall not issue a permit under this section unless—
(A) the applicant is
in compliance with the requirements of—
(i) this
chapter,
(ii) chapter 114 of
title 18, United States Code,
(iii) the Act of October 19, 1949 (15 U.S.C. 375
et seq.; commonly referred to as the Jenkins Act),
(iv) the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act
of 2004, and any amendments made thereby,
(v) the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco
Control Act, and any amendments made thereby,
(vi) the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act
of 2009, and any amendments made thereby, and
(vii) any related
regulations thereunder,
as in
effect on the date of the issuance of the permit,
(B) the applicant certifies that the applicant
is in compliance with all other Federal, State, local, and Indian tribal laws
relating to the taxation, manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution,
marketing, sale, or transportation of tobacco products, processed tobacco, or
tobacco production machines, as in effect on the date of the issuance of the
permit, and
(C) the applicant identifies in the application
any violation of a law described in subparagraph (A) or (B) by the applicant
resulting in a penalty under any such law during the 5-year period ending on
the date of the
application.
.
(b)
Suspension or
revocation
Subparagraph (A) of section 5713(b)(1) is amended by
inserting or any other law described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of
subsection (a)(2) after this chapter.
206.
Records to be
maintained
(a)
In
general
Section 5741 is
amended—
(1) by inserting
(a) In
general.— before Every
manufacturer,
(2) by inserting
every wholesaler, after every importer,,
(3) by striking such records and
inserting records concerning the chain of custody of the tobacco
products and processed tobacco (including the foreign country of final
destination for packages marked for export) and the serial numbers, marks,
labels, and notices required under section 5723, and such other
records, and
(4) by adding at the
end the following new subsections:
(b)
Retailers
Retailers shall maintain records of
receipt, and any non-retail sale or delivery, of tobacco products and processed
tobacco. Such records shall be available to the Secretary for inspection and
audit. An ordinary commercial record or invoice shall satisfy the requirements
of this subsection if such record shows the date of receipt, from whom tobacco
products or processed tobacco were received, and the quantity of tobacco
products or processed tobacco received (or, in the case of non-retail sale or
delivery, the date of sale or delivery, to whom the tobacco products or
processed tobacco were sold or delivered, and the quantity of the tobacco
products or processed tobacco sold or delivered). To the extent the Secretary
determines that the records maintained by retail entities licensed pursuant to
section 555(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1555(b)) satisfy the
recordkeeping requirements of this section, no additional records shall be
required for such entities under this section. The preceding provisions of this
subsection shall not be construed to limit or preclude other recordkeeping
requirements imposed on any retailer.
(c)
Records
concerning marks and chain of custody
Records concerning the
chain of custody and the marks, labels, and notices required under section 5723
shall be available for inspection by any internal revenue officer during
business
hours.
.
(b)
Consultation
with Health and Human Services
The Secretary of the Treasury shall consult
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services as may be appropriate to carry
out the purposes of section 5741 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
207.
Reports
Section 5722 is amended—
(1) by inserting
(a) In
general.— before Every manufacturer,
and
(2) by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
(b)
Reports by
export warehouse proprietors
Prior to exportation of tobacco
products or processed tobacco from the United States, the export warehouse
proprietor shall submit a report (in such manner and form as the Secretary may
by regulation prescribe) to enable the Secretary to identify the shipment and
assure that it reaches its intended
destination.
.
208.
Fraudulent
offenses
(a)
In
general
Subsection (a) of section 5762 is amended—
(1) by striking
paragraph (1) and redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as paragraphs (1)
through (5), respectively, and
(2) by striking
not more than $10,000 and inserting not more than $10,000
or an amount equal to 3 times the amount of the tax imposed under this chapter
on the tobacco product involved (whichever is greater).
(b)
Offenses
relating to distribution of tobacco products, etc
(1)
In
general
Section 5762 (as amended by section 202 of this Act) is
amended—
(A) by redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (d), and
(B) by inserting after
subsection (b) the following new subsection:
(c)
Offenses
relating to distribution of tobacco products, etc
It shall be
unlawful—
(1) for any person to
engage in business as a manufacturer or importer of tobacco products, processed
tobacco, or cigarette papers and tubes, as a wholesaler, or an export warehouse
proprietor, or as a manufacturer, seller, or importer of tobacco production
machines without filing the bond and obtaining the permit where required by
this chapter or regulations thereunder,
(2) for a manufacturer or importer of tobacco
products, or wholesaler to knowingly ship, transport, deliver, or receive any
tobacco products from or to any person other than a person who has obtained the
permit required by this chapter, a retailer, or a person handling such products
solely for purposes of shipment or delivery; except that an importer who has
obtained the permit required by this chapter may receive, from a foreign
manufacturer or a foreign distributor, foreign tobacco products that have not
previously entered the United States,
(3) for a
manufacturer or importer of processed tobacco or a wholesaler to knowingly
ship, transport, deliver, or receive any tobacco products or processed tobacco
from or to any person other than a person who has obtained the permit required
by this chapter,
(4) for a manufacturer or importer of processed
tobacco to knowingly ship, transport, sell, or deliver processed tobacco to any
person other than a manufacturer of processed tobacco, a manufacturer of
tobacco products, or an export warehouse proprietor,
(5) for any person
(other than the original manufacturer of such tobacco products or processed
tobacco or an export warehouse proprietor authorized to receive any tobacco
products or processed tobacco that have previously been exported and returned
to the United States) to knowingly receive any tobacco products or processed
tobacco that have previously been exported and returned to the United
States,
(6) for any export
warehouse proprietor to knowingly ship, transport, sell, or deliver for sale
any tobacco products or processed tobacco to any person other than the original
manufacturer of such tobacco products or processed tobacco, another export
warehouse proprietor, a duty free store, or a foreign purchaser,
(7) for any person
(other than a manufacturer, wholesaler, or an export warehouse proprietor
permitted under this chapter) to knowingly ship, transport, receive, or
possess, for purposes of resale, any tobacco product or processed tobacco not
in packages marked pursuant to regulations issued under section 5723, other
than for direct return to a manufacturer for repacking or for re-exportation or
to an export warehouse proprietor for re-exportation,
(8) for any
manufacturer, importer, export warehouse proprietor, or wholesaler permitted
under this chapter to make any false entry in, to fail to make an entry in, or
to knowingly fail to maintain properly any record or report required by this
chapter or the regulations promulgated thereunder with the intent to defraud
the United States,
(9) for any person,
with the intent to defraud the United States, to alter, mutilate, destroy,
obliterate, or remove any mark or label required under this chapter upon a
tobacco product or processed tobacco held for sale, or to create, possess, or
apply on any tobacco product or processed tobacco or its packaging any
counterfeit versions of any such marks or labels, and
(10) for any person to
sell at retail more than 3,000 cigarettes in any single transaction (or series
of related transactions), or, in the case of other tobacco products, an
equivalent quantity as determined by regulation.
Any
person violating any of the provisions of this subsection shall, upon
conviction, be fined as provided in section 3571 of title 18, United States
Code, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or
both.
.
(2)
Conforming
amendment
Section 5762(d) (as so redesignated) is amended by
striking and (b) inserting , (b), and (c).
(c)
Other
offenses
Subsection (d) of section 5762 (as so redesignated) is
amended by striking not more than $1,000 and inserting
not more than $2,500 or an amount equal to the tax imposed under this
chapter on the tobacco product or processed tobacco involved (whichever is
greater).
209.
Penalties
(a)
In
general
(1) Subsection (a) of section 5761 is
amended—
(A) by striking
willfully and inserting knowingly, and
(B) by striking
$1,000 and inserting $10,000.
(2) Subsection (b) of
section 5761 is amended by striking 5 percent and inserting
10 percent.
(b)
Penalty amounts
adjusted for inflation
Section 5761 is amended by redesignating
subsection (f) as subsection (g) and inserting after subsection (e) the
following new subsection:
(f)
Inflation
adjustment
(1)
In
general
In the case of a calendar year beginning after 2013, the
penalty dollar amounts provided under this chapter shall each be increased by
an amount equal to—
(A) such dollar
amount, multiplied by
(B) the cost-of-living
adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year, determined
by substituting calendar year 2012 for calendar year
1992 in subparagraph (B) thereof.
(2)
Rounding
If
any amount as adjusted under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $10, such
amount shall be rounded to the next highest multiple of
$10.
.
210.
Coordination
with other government officials
(a)
In
general
Subchapter F of
chapter 52 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
5755.
Coordination
with other government officials
The Secretary shall make reasonable efforts
to coordinate with other Federal agencies and with officials of foreign, State,
local, Indian tribal, and other governments to promote the purposes of this
chapter, to prevent and reduce tobacco tax evasion and contraband trafficking
in tobacco products and processed tobacco, to enforce settlement agreements
between tobacco companies and State or other governments and related laws, or
for other law enforcement or administration
purposes.
.
(b)
Information
sharing
(1)
In
general
Paragraph (1) of section 6103(o) is amended by adding at
the end the following new subparagraph:
(C)
Information
sharing for tobacco product law administration and enforcement
purposes
(i)
Federal, State,
local, and tribal governments
Returns and return information with
respect to taxes imposed by chapter 52 may be open to inspection by or
disclosure to officers and employees of any Federal agency, the State Tax
Administrators, or any other agency of any State, local, or Indian tribal
government responsible for the administration and enforcement of laws and
regulations relating to tobacco products and processed tobacco, or their legal
representative, solely for use in such administration and enforcement, unless
the Secretary determines that such disclosure would seriously impair Federal
tax administration.
(ii)
Foreign
governments and organizations
The Secretary shall, upon written
request, disclose returns and return information with respect to taxes imposed
by chapter 52 to officers and employees of any agency of any foreign
government, OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office), EUROPOL, INTERPOL, or the World
Customs Organization responsible for the administration and enforcement of laws
and regulations relating to tobacco products and processed tobacco, or their
legal representative, solely for use in such administration and enforcement, if
the Secretary obtains written assurances from such government or organization
that the information will be held in confidence and used only for such use. No
return or return information shall be disclosed under this clause if the
Secretary determines that such disclosure would seriously impair Federal tax
administration.
(iii)
Public
information
The identity and business address of those persons
that have a valid permit, pursuant to chapter 52, to engage in business as a
manufacturer, wholesaler, or importer of tobacco products or processed tobacco,
as an export warehouse proprietor, or as a manufacturer, seller, or importer of
tobacco production machines (as defined in section 5702(q)) shall be made
publicly available at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may
prescribe.
.
(2)
Conforming
amendments
(A) Subsection (a) of
section 6103 is amended—
(i) by
striking or any local in paragraph (2) and inserting any
local,
(ii) by
inserting , or any agency described in subsection (o)(1)(C)(i)
after subsection (l)(7)(D) in paragraph (2),
(iii) by striking
or subsection (n) in paragraph (3) and inserting
subsection (n), or subsection (o)(1)(C)(i).
(B) Paragraph (4) of
section 6103(p) is amended—
(i) by
striking (o)(1)(A) both places it appears and inserting
(o)(1)(A) or (C)(i), and
(ii) by
striking (15), or (16), and inserting (15), or (16), or
(o)(1)(C)(i),.
(C) Paragraph (2) of
section 7213(a) is amended—
(i) by
striking (21) or and inserting (21),, and
(ii) by
striking or (7) and inserting or (7), or
(o)(1)(C)(i).
(c)
Clerical
amendment
The table of sections for subchapter F of chapter 52 is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:
Sec. 5755. Coordination with other government
officials.
.
211.
Definitions
(a)
Export warehouse
proprietor
Subsection (i) of section 5702 is amended by inserting
before the period the following: or any person engaged in the business
of exporting tobacco products from the United States for purposes of sale or
distribution. Any duty free store that sells, offers for sale, or otherwise
distributes to any person in any single transaction (or series of related
transactions) more than 3,000 cigarettes, or an equivalent quantity of other
tobacco products as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe, shall be
deemed an export warehouse proprietor under this chapter.
(b)
Retailer;
wholesaler
Section 5702, as amended by this Act, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsections:
(r)
Retailer
The term retailer means any
person who sells, or offers for sale, any tobacco product at retail. The term
retailer includes any duty free store that sells, offers for sale,
or otherwise distributes at retail in any single transaction (or series of
related transactions) not more than 3,000 cigarettes, or not more than an
equivalent quantity of other tobacco products as the Secretary shall by
regulation prescribe.
(s)
Wholesaler
The
term wholesaler means any person engaged in the business of
purchasing tobacco products for resale at wholesale, or any person acting as an
agent or broker for any person engaged in the business of purchasing tobacco
products for resale at
wholesale.
.
212.
Conforming
amendments
(a) Paragraph (2)(C) of section 2341 of title
18, United States Code is amended by inserting in regard to State,
local, or Indian tribal government taxes, before a
person.
(b) Sections 2314 and
2315 of title 18, United States Code, are each amended—
(1) by striking
State in the heading thereof; and
(2) by striking
tax stamps each place it appears and inserting tax stamps
or markings.
(c) The headings for
subchapters B, C, and E of chapter 52 are each amended by inserting
, processed
tobacco, after products.
(d) The items
relating to subchapters B, C, and E in the table of subchapters for chapter 52
are each amended by inserting , processed tobacco, after
products.
(e) The heading for
chapter 52 is amended by inserting , processed tobacco, after
products.
(f) The item relating
to chapter 52 in the table of chapters for subtitle E is amended by inserting
, processed tobacco, after products.
213.
Effective
date
Except as otherwise
provided in this title, the amendments made by this title shall take effect 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
III
Import
Fraud
301.
Maximum penalty for
importation of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes by fraudulent
means
(a)
Maximum
penalty
Section 592(c)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1592(c)(1)) is amended—
(1) by striking
A fraudulent violation of subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
(A)
In
general
Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), a fraudulent violation of subsection
(a)
;
and
(2) by adding at the
end the following:
(B)
Tobacco products
and cigarette papers and tubes
In the case of importation of tobacco
products and cigarette papers and tubes subject to tax under chapter 52 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a fraudulent violation of subsection (a) is
punishable by a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the sum of—
(i) the domestic value
of the merchandise, and
(ii) four times the
amount of Federal excise tax that could be imposed on the merchandise, if
applicable.
.
(b)
Effective
date
The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date which is 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and shall apply with respect to violations of
section 592 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as so amended) that occur on or after
that date.
IV
Exclusions
regarding Indian Tribes and Tribal matters
401.
Exclusions regarding Indian Tribes and
Tribal matters
(a)
In general
Nothing in this Act or the amendments made
by this Act shall be construed to amend, modify, or otherwise affect—
(1) any agreements, compacts, or other
intergovernmental arrangements between any State or local government and any
government of an Indian tribe relating to the collection of taxes on tobacco
products sold in Indian country;
(2) any State laws that authorize or otherwise
pertain to any such intergovernmental arrangements or create special rules or
procedures for the collection of State, local, or tribal taxes on tobacco
products sold in Indian country;
(3) any limitations under Federal or State law,
including Federal common law and treaties, on State, local, and tribal tax and
regulatory authority with respect to the sale, use, or distribution of tobacco
products or processed tobacco by or to Indian tribes, tribal members, tribal
enterprises, or in Indian country;
(4) any Federal law, including Federal common
law and treaties, regarding State jurisdiction, or lack thereof, over any
Indian tribe, tribal member, tribal enterprise, Indian reservations, or other
land held by the United States in trust for one or more Indian tribes;
or
(5) any State or local government authority to
bring enforcement actions against persons located in Indian country.
(b)
Coordination of law
enforcement
Nothing in this
Act or the amendments made by this Act (other than the amendments relating to
section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) shall be construed to
inhibit or otherwise affect any coordinated law enforcement effort by one or
more States or other jurisdictions, including Indian tribes, through interstate
compact or otherwise, that—
(1) provides for the administration of tobacco
product laws or laws pertaining to interstate sales or other sales of tobacco
products or processed tobacco;
(2) provides for the seizure of tobacco
products, processed tobacco, or other property related to a violation of such
laws; or
(3) establishes cooperative programs for the
administration of such laws.
(c)
Treatment of State and local
governments
Nothing in this
Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to authorize,
deputize, or commission States or local governments as instrumentalities of the
United States.
(d)
Enforcement within Indian
Country
Nothing in this Act
or the amendments made by this Act shall prohibit, limit, or restrict
enforcement by the Attorney General of the United States of this Act or an
amendment made by this Act within Indian country.
(e)
Ambiguity
Any ambiguity between the language of this
section or its application and any other provision of this Act shall be
resolved in favor of this section.
(f)
Definitions
In this section—
(1) the term Indian country has
the meaning given that term in section 1151 of title 18, United States
Code;
(2) the term tribal enterprise
means any business enterprise, regardless of whether incorporated or
unincorporated under Federal or tribal law, of an Indian tribe or group of
Indian tribes;
(3) the term
Indian reservation has the meaning given that term in section
168(j)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(4) the term
Indian tribe has the meaning given that term in section 4(e) of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)); and
(5) the terms
tobacco products and processed tobacco have the
meanings given such terms by section 5702 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.