(a) The tax levied pursuant to section five of this article is levied on the following:

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 11-14C-8

  • Carrier: means an operator of a pipeline or marine vessel engaged in the business of transporting motor fuel above the terminal rack. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • Diesel fuel: means a liquid that is advertised as, offered for sale as, sold for use as, suitable for use as or used as a motor fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle or watercraft. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • End seller: means the person who sells motor fuel to the ultimate user of the motor fuel. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • Fuel: means motor fuel. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • Highway: means every way or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel in this state including the streets and alleys in towns and cities. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • Highway vehicle: means any self-propelled vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is designed or used for transporting persons or property over the public highway and includes all vehicles subject to registration under article three, chapter . See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • Motor carrier: means a vehicle used, designated or maintained for the transportation of persons or property and having two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds or having three or more axles regardless of weight or used in combination when the weight of the combination exceeds 26,000 pounds or registered gross vehicle weight, and any aircraft, barge or other watercraft or railroad locomotive transporting passengers or freight in or through this state: Provided, That the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • Motor fuel: means gasoline, blended fuel, aviation fuel, any special fuel and alternative fuel. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • this article: means article fourteen-c, chapter . See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2
  • Use: means the actual consumption or receipt of motor fuel by a person into a motor vehicle, aircraft or watercraft. See West Virginia Code 11-14C-2

(1) Dyed diesel fuel that is used to operate a highway vehicle for a taxable use other than a use exempt under 26 U.S.C. § 4082;

(2) Motor fuel that was allowed an exemption from the motor fuel tax and was then used or consumed on a highway; and

(3) Motor fuel that is used to operate a highway vehicle after an application for a refund of tax paid on the motor fuel is made or allowed on the basis that the motor fuel was used for an off-highway purpose.

(b) The operator of a highway vehicle that uses untaxed or refunded motor fuel that is taxable under this section is liable for the tax. If the highway vehicle that uses the motor fuel is owned by or leased to a motor carrier, the operator of the highway vehicle and the motor carrier are jointly and severally liable for the tax. If the end seller of motor fuel taxable under this section knew or had reason to know that the motor fuel would be used for a purpose that is taxable under this section, the operator of the highway vehicle and the end seller are jointly and severally liable for the tax.

(c) The tax liability levied by this section is in addition to any other penalty imposed pursuant to this article.