Fuel Tax Refund

Not sure how much it would amount to, but for some I'm sure it adds up ... and for everyone else ... better than nothing I suppose. 24/50 states offers this. Also interesting to note that if you use mogas (automotive gasoline) for your aircraft in many states you can claim an exemption/refund off of the taxes toward automotive gas.

Found at AOPA FAQs answered by Aviation Tech. Services. I'll post the link but to open it you need to be a member so I'll copy/paste also since it's not like a newspaper where we can enter bogus login info.

Fuel Tax Refund

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Fuel tax refunds
As throughout past decades, this topic is subject to the hodgepodge of 50 different states' tax law codes. Certainly some confusion for pilots between the various levels of fuel taxes has always existed: state sales tax, state excise, federal excise, highway, private flight, charter flight, and type of fuel. We think we can simplify your understanding, and maybe help you find that refund, with our state-by-state (April 2000) listing.

State refunds
About half, 24 of the 50 states, have some type of state aviation fuel tax exemption or refund. Because these are usually the states that have a higher fuel tax structure to begin with, pilots in the other 26 states should not feel slighted. Plus, a pilot from any state is generally entitled to a refund for a fuel purchase in these 24 states. Check your receipts.

State
AvGas
Jet Fuel
Refund or Exemption

Excise tax
Cents/gal
Sales tax
Percent
Excise tax
Cents/gal
Sales tax
Percent

Alaska
4.7
None
3.2
None
Charitable flights

Arizona
5
None
3.05
None
Aerial applicators

California
18
None
2
7.25+
Manuf., mod, o'haul, repair shops exempt or refund on jet excise only

Colorado
6
None
4
3.0
Aerial applicators on private airports exempt from 1/2 excise on avgas

Delaware
23
None
None
None
All tax is refundable; submit form MFT-4 within one year of purchase

Florida
6.9
None
6.9
None
Bonded export and international ops

Illinois
None
6.25
None
6.25
Certain charitable flights and international flights

Indiana
15
5.0
None
5.0
Export and international flights: jet and avgas. All avgas users refund: excise

Kentucky
15
None
None
6.0
Charitable flights: refund jet sales tax. Avgas: all: refund excise above a 6% sales tax level

Maine
22
5.5
3.4
None
Export and international flights: Full refund all taxes, both jet and avgas. Also, all can get avgas excise refund

Maryland
7
None
7
None
Export operations, agricultural ops, and aircraft manufacturing companies

Massachusetts
10
None
5
None
Agricultural operations and bonded jet fuel

Michigan
3
6.0
3
6.0
Agricultural operations and flight test operations exempt from sales tax

Missouri
9
None
None
4.25
Ag ops exempt from avgas excise

Nebraska
5
None
3
None
Refund: Flight schools, avgas and jet

New Jersey
17
None
2
None
Excise: Exempt if sold at an international airport. Also, 10.5 of the 17-cent avgas excise can be refundable to the end user

New Mexico
17
None
None
4.5
Charitable flights and avgas excise in full if more than 100 gal. in 6 months less 5% courtesy tax

New York
8
7.5
8
7.5
Excise tax refundable if charged, Form FT 946

North Carolina
None
4+
None
4+
Certain charitable flights

North Dakota
8
None
8
None
Difference, if any, between 8-cent excise and a 4% sales tax

Ohio
None
5.5
None
5.5
Agricultural and charitable flights

Virginia
5
None
5
None
Jet excise: Refund 4.5 cents/gal if purchase over 100,000 gal annually

Washington
Greater of 6.0 or 3%
6.5+
Greater of 6.0 or 3%
6.5+
Agricultural operations and flight testing are exempt from excise

Wyoming
7
None
7
None
Agricultural operations


State fuel tax phone numbers:

Note: This tax information was compiled through a telephone survey conducted during April 2000, to the appropriate departments in each state. Because of the nature of the survey and the changing nature of tax codes, AOPA can not guarantee the accuracy of the content. If you believe that any of these tax credits may apply to you, we suggest you contact your state taxing authority or a tax professional.

Federal excise taxes on fuel
As you are probably aware, current federal excise tax rates are 19.4 cents/gal for avgas and 21.9 cents/gal on jet fuel. There are no refunds or exemptions to the federal tax for private or FAR Part 91 operations except the following very limited areas:

Avgas and/or jet fuel (15 cents avgas and 17.5 cents jet fuel could be refundable as below)

Agricultural: On farm for farm purposes. Credit only.
Supplies for aircraft, aircraft employed in foreign trade
Exclusive use of state and local governments
Exclusive use of nonprofit educational organizations. Campus and classrooms type educational organization.
Aircraft museums, usually noted as World War II aircraft
Certain Helicopters:
Hard mineral mining, oil and gas
Forestry operations, including logging
Emergency medical transport operations
Certain emergency medical transport operations
Dedicated EMT fixed-wing aircraft
Commercial aviation operations; i.e., 135 and 121 ops ( includes sightseeing)
Aircraft that are paying the commercial "ticket" tax can get a refund from the fuel excise tax-- they would not pay both.

NOTE: Commercial aviation is generally, by IRS definition, aircraft over 6,000 lb gross. Because the IRS collects/refunds both the federal fuel excise tax and any commercial ticket tax, it's the IRS definition of commercial that matters, not any FAA definitions. We don't want to complicate the fuel excise issue further with the commercial ticket tax; we can help by phone if you have any questions. Both taxes are handled on IRS forms 720, 8849, or 4136 with individual form instructions. IRS Pub booklet #378, Fuel Tax Credits and Refunds, is the IRS guidance. All are available from the IRS Web site: www.irs.gov.
Highway or auto gas refunds
Most states have some provision for refunds of the state highway tax or auto fuel tax when auto fuel is used on other than their highway; i.e., in aircraft. If you use auto fuel, this could be a substantial amount, often 35 to 55 cents per gallon. Keep in mind, however, that if you received such a refund, the state might advise the IRS and indeed the 19.4-cent aviation tax could then be collected. Contact your state tax authority to verify any auto fuel refund procedure.



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Nice of them to leave out the three states I was interested in. I guess that means I'm screwed.

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Nice of them to leave out the three states I was interested in. I guess that means I'm screwed.

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>>About half, 24 of the 50 states, have some type of state aviation fuel tax exemption or refund. Because these are usually the states that have a higher fuel tax structure to begin with, pilots in the other 26 states should not feel slighted.<<

When states put in excessive taxes they usually have to put in provisions that mitigate the damage to effected industries. Taxes can kill business, you know.

Nah, I'm still in Mississippi. I'm still screwed, just has nothing to do with aviation fuel taxes.....