Form 720 questions, answered
The questions businesses ask Google most about the Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, each answered in one sentence first and in full below it, with the IRS source linked. Last reviewed 2026-11-08.
What is a form 720 for?
Form 720 is the IRS Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, used to report and pay federal excise taxes on specific products, services and fees — not on general business income.
Does my LLC need to file form 720?
Only if your LLC owes, or is responsible for collecting, one of the excise taxes or fees reported on Form 720 — forming an LLC or getting an EIN does not create the requirement by itself.
How do I know if I have to file a form 720?
You have to file Form 720 if, during the quarter, you were liable for or responsible for collecting any of the excise taxes listed in Parts I and II of the form — compare that list with what your business actually does.
What companies have to file form 720?
Companies that owe or collect a federal excise tax — typically fuel producers and distributors, airlines, indoor tanning providers, certain manufacturers and importers, heavy-truck and trailer dealers, and employers with self-insured health plans (the PCORI fee).
How do I file form 720?
Identify each excise tax you owe by its IRS number, complete Parts I–III and the required schedules, then e-file through an IRS-authorized provider or mail a signed return by the quarterly deadline (April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31).
Who is exempt from federal excise tax?
No one is exempt from every federal excise tax; exemptions are tax-specific and most often cover exports, sales for further manufacture, and sales to state or local governments and nonprofit educational organizations.
Who pays the federal excise tax?
It depends on the tax: some excise taxes fall directly on manufacturers, importers or retailers, while others are paid by the customer but must be collected, reported and paid over by the business on Form 720.
Need to file Form 720 this quarter?
E-file your Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return with TaxFilingCenter, an IRS-authorized e-file provider, and get your IRS acknowledgment by email.
File Form 720