Travelers May Receive Tax Refund From Recently-Booked Flights

Flights Scheduled after July 23, 2011 are eligible for tax refund due to temporary lapse in FAA legislation

WASHINGTON – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced this afternoon that as a result of a lapse in Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) authorization, the federal government has temporarily stopped collecting certain taxes on plane tickets.

A recent announcement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indicates that if passengers purchased tickets prior to July 23rd for travel on or after that date they may be eligible for a refund from that airline. Additionally, if the airline in question will not provide their customers with a refund, the IRS is poised to issue one at a later date.

Until Congress acts to reauthorize the FAA, the following taxes will not be collected:

• The 7.5 percent tax on the base ticket price;
• The domestic segment tax of $3.70 per person per segment (a single takeoff and single landing);
• The international travel facilities tax of $16.30 per person for flights that begin or end in the U.S., or $8.20 per person for a flight that begins or ends in Alaska or Hawaii; and
• The 6.25 percent tax on the amount paid for transporting property by air.

"While I am hopeful that Congress will be able to come together to pass legislation that will renew FAA authorization, it is important for consumers to realize that if they have overpaid for airline tickets there is recourse available," Congressman Larson said.

Constituents that have further questions about this program are urged to callthe Congressman's office at (860) 278-8888 or by visiting the IRS frequently asked questions page on ticket tax refunds located here.