While the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) at 26 U.S.C. 5001 generally imposes a Federal excise tax on all distilled spirits produced in or imported into the United States, 26 U.S.C. 5214 provides for the tax-free withdrawal of distilled spirits from distilled spirits plants (DSPs) for nonbeverage purposes, including for use by educational institutions, laboratories, and medical facilities, and by State, local, and tribal governments. At 26 U.S.C. 5271â5275, the IRC also sets permit, bond, formula submission, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for the use of tax-free distilled spirits, all of which is subject to regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Under those authorities, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations in 27 CFR part 22 require users of tax-free alcohol to submit certain letterhead applications and notices, which serve as qualifying documents for specific regulated activities or as amendments to previously filed documents. The collected information is necessary to ensure that the provisions of the IRC related to tax-free distilled spirits are appropriately applied.
There are no program changes associated with this information collection, and TTB is submitting it for extension purposes only. As for adjustments, due to a change in agency estimates, TTB is increasing the number of annual respondents and responses to this information collection, from 300 to 320 each, which results in a decrease in the estimated total annual burden hours for this collection, from 150 to 160 hours. The estimated number of annual responses per respondent (one) and per-response burden (0.5 hour) remains unchanged.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
OMB No. 1513-0060 Supporting Statement (10-2025).docx
Letterhead Applications and Notices Relating to Tax-Free Alcohol (TTB REC 5150/4) (Public Sector)