FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Caroline MacLellan
Marketing Communications Manager
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (July 22, 2026) — NTEA – The Work Truck Association has released a revised edition of its Federal Excise Tax Guide for the Work Truck Industry, a comprehensive reference designed to help commercial vehicle professionals understand and navigate one of the industry’s most complex federal tax requirements.
Originally published in 2011 and authored by Rose-Michele Nardi, partner at Mullins Law Group, the Guide has been updated to reflect significant developments affecting the application of the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET), including recent court decisions, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance, regulatory developments, and other legal interpretations issued since the previous edition. The publication also incorporates clarifications and expanded discussion on several key compliance topics to help readers evaluate increasingly complex tax scenarios.
“Federal Excise Tax remains one of the most complicated factors affecting heavy truck sales,” said Mike Kastner, NTEA senior vice president. “While NTEA continues advocating for repeal of this outdated tax, businesses must still comply with today’s requirements. This updated Guide gives industry professionals the practical information they need to make well-informed decisions, better understand areas of uncertainty, and reduce compliance risk.”
Written specifically for retailers of heavy trucks, truck equipment, trailers and tractors, as well as tax advisors serving the commercial vehicle industry, the Guide addresses major FET issues, including:
- Taxable vehicles, bodies, chassis, tractors and parts/accessories
- First retail sales and tax-free sales
- Further manufacturing and the Six-Month Rule
- Exemptions and special tax treatment
- Calculation of FET
- IRS rulings, court decisions and audit considerations
- Filing and payment requirements
Throughout the publication, legal concepts are explained in practical terms and supported by extensive references to Internal Revenue Code provisions, Treasury regulations, IRS rulings and court decisions, helping readers better understand how the law applies in real-world situations.
The FET Guide is available to NTEA members for $99 and to nonmembers for $299. Learn more and purchase at ntea.com/fetguide.
ABOUT NTEA
Established in 1964, NTEA – The Work Truck Association, a 501(c)(6) organization, represents more than 2,100 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial vehicles, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to NTEA. The Association provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces Work Truck Week®, Future Truck Summit, Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit, and Executive Leadership Summit. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and government relations offices in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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