Generally, semimonthly deposits of excise taxes are required. A semimonthly period is the first 15 days of a month (the first semimonthly period) or the 16th through the last day of a month (the second semimonthly period).

However, no deposit is required for the situations listed below; the taxes are payable with Form 720.

• The net liability for taxes listed in Part I (Form 720) does not exceed $2,500 for the quarter.
• The gas guzzler tax is being paid on a one-time filing.
• The liability is for taxes listed in Part II (Form 720), except for the floor stocks tax which generally requires a single deposit.

You must use electronic funds transfer to make excise tax deposits. Generally, electronic funds transfers are made using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). If you do not want to use EFTPS, you can arrange for your tax professional, financial institution, payroll service, or other trusted third party to make deposits on your behalf. Also, you may arrange for your financial institution to initiate a same-day wire payment on your behalf.

EFTPS is a free service provided by the Department of Treasury. Services provided by your tax professional, financial institution, payroll service, or other third party may have a fee. To get more information about EFTPS or to enroll in EFTPS, visit www.eftps.gov or call 1-800-555-4477. Additional information about EFTPS is also available in Publication 966, The Secure Way to Pay Your Federal Taxes.

Depositing on time. For EFTPS deposits to be on time, you must initiate the transaction at least 1 day before the date the deposit is due (before 8:00 p.m. Eastern time).