IRS Explains Procedures for Claiming Retroactive 2017 Biodiesel Blender Tax Credits

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a guidance document outlining special one-time claim procedures for obtaining the $1.00 per gallon biodiesel blender tax credit for 2017. Notice 2018-21 prescribes rules for how taxpayers can claim one-time credits for selling or using biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other alternative fuels (such as natural gas) in 2017. The notice also outlines how entities can offset liability for federal gasoline and/or diesel taxes with the 2017 credits, and further provides instructions for how taxpayers can make certain income tax claims on biodiesel and alternative fuels.
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a guidance document outlining special one-time claim procedures for obtaining the $1.00 per gallon biodiesel blender tax credit for 2017. Notice 2018-21 prescribes rules for how taxpayers can claim one-time credits for selling or using biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other alternative fuels (such as natural gas) in 2017.  The notice also outlines how entities can offset liability for federal gasoline and/or diesel taxes with the 2017 credits, and further provides instructions for how taxpayers can make certain income tax claims on biodiesel and alternative fuels.

NATSO helped lead a coalition of stakeholders last year to convince Congress to reinstate the biodiesel tax credit retroactive to the beginning of 2017. NATSO continues to work for a long-term tax credit for 2018 and beyond. Domestic biodiesel producers had sought to convert the credit to a producer credit, but Congress ultimately sided with NATSO and its coalition partners in favor of maintaining a blender credit. 
 
According to the IRS guidance, claims for 2017 biodiesel blender credits must be made on IRS Form 8849 (Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes) and IRS Form 8849 (Schedule 3) (Certain Fuel Mixtures and the Alternative Fuel Credit).  Taxpayers are to use a single Form 8849 and Form 8849 (Schedule 3) to claim all biodiesel volumes blended during calendar year 2017. (The IRS will not accept multiple claims for 2017 blends.) 
 
The 180-day claim period for 2017 biodiesel and alternative fuel incentives begins on April 2, 2018.  Consequently, all claims for 2017 biodiesel and alternative fuel incentives must be filed on or before Sept. 29, 2018. The IRS will not process claims filed after that date. Taxpayers are permitted to submit claims prior to April 2, 2018.

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