Federal Oil Spill Liability Tax Change – Effective January 1, 2017

Beginning January 1, 2017, the per barrel Federal Oil Spill Tax imposed on refiners increased from 8 cents to 9 cents per barrel.  Once the tax is paid by refiners it becomes a fee which is included in the price of the product as it transfers through the petroleum distribution system.  Suppliers are free to charge the fee as they see fit and petroleum marketers may see slightly different rates from various suppliers.

For petroleum marketers, it is important to understand that any fee charged to you by a supplier is not a tax but a fee.  This distinction is important because fees are not required to be indicated via a line item on an invoice or bill like a tax.  The following Federal Oil Spill Tax rates were shared with PMCI by PMAA for 2017: