2009 Aviation Excise Tax Rates

If you operate a private or commercial business aircraft you pay Federal excise taxes (FET) either on fuel or on the transportation of persons or property. Most private aircraft operations under FAR Part 91 are subject to the fuel tax on non-commercial aviation, while commercial aircraft operations under FAR Part 135 are subject to the tax on transportation of persons or property. For calendar year 2009, the commercial operations excise taxes will be as follows: the domestic segment fee will be $3.60; the international arrival/departure tax will be $16.10; and the tax for Hawaii and Alaska flights (which applies only to departures) will be $8.00; and the tax for domestic commercial air transportation will be 7.5 percent tax. The 2009 tax rates are applicable until March 31, 2009, when the current FAA reauthorization extension will expire. The rates may change at that time, depending upon what Congress does with the FAA reauthorization.