The regulatory authorities of the Administrator contained in this part are delegated to appropriate TTB officers. These TTB officers are specified in TTB Order 1135.53, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 53, Manufacturers Excise Taxes—Firearms and Ammunition. You may obtain a copy of this order by accessing the TTB Web site (http://www.ttb.gov) or by mailing a request to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Room 1516, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

(a) The appropriate TTB officer is authorized to prescribe all forms required by this part. All of the information called for in each form shall be furnished as indicated by the headings on the form and the instructions on or pertaining to the form. In addition, information called for in each form shall be furnished as required by this part. The form will be filed in accordance with the instructions on the form.

(b) Forms prescribed by this part are available for printing through the TTB Web site (http://www.ttb.gov) or by mailing a request to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, National Revenue Center, 550 Main Street, Room 1516, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

(c) Signature authorization. An individual's signature on a return, statement, or other document made by or for a corporation or a partnership shall be prima facie evidence that the individual is authorized to sign the return, statement, or other document.

(a) Requirement of application. (1) Except for one-time or occasional filers, every person who makes a sale or use of an article with respect to which a tax is imposed by section 4181 of the Code, and who has not earlier been assigned an employer identification number or has not applied for one, shall make an application on Form SS-4 for an employer identification number. The application and any supplementary statement accompanying it shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable form, instructions, and regulations and shall set forth fully and clearly the data therein called for. Form SS-4 may be obtained from any internal revenue district office or internal revenue service center. The application shall be filed with the internal revenue officer designated in the instructions applicable to Form SS-4. The application shall be signed by:

(i) The individual if the person is an individual;

(ii) The president, vice-president, or other principal officer, if the person is a corporation;

(iii) A responsible and duly authorized member or officer having knowledge of its affairs, if the person is a partnership or other unincorporated organization; or

(iv) The fiduciary, if the person is a trust or estate.

An employer identification number will be assigned to the person in due course upon the basis of information reported on the application required under this section.

(2) Time for filing Form SS-4. The application for an employer identification number shall be filed no later than the seventh day after the date of the first sale or use of an article with respect to which a tax is imposed by chapter 32 of the Code. However, the application should be filed far enough in advance of the first required use of such number to permit issuance of the number in time for compliance with such requirement.

(3) One-time or occasional filers. A person who files a return under the provisions of section 53.151(a)(5) is not required to make application for an employer identification number. Such persons may use their social security number on any return, statement or other document submitted to TTB by that person in lieu of an employer identification number.

(b) Use of employer identification number. The employer identification number assigned to a person liable for a tax imposed by chapter 32 of the Code shall be shown on any return, statement, or other document submitted to TTB by the person.

(a) A taxpayer, on specific approval by the appropriate TTB officer as provided in this section, may use an alternate method or procedure in lieu of a method or procedure specifically prescribed in this part. The appropriate TTB officer may approve an alternate method or procedure, subject to stated conditions, when—

(1) Good cause has been shown for the use of the alternate method or procedure;

(2) The alternate method or procedure is within the purpose of, and consistent with the effect intended by, the specifically prescribed method or procedure, and affords equivalent security to the revenue; and

(3) The alternate method or procedure will not be contrary to any provision of law and will not result in an increase in cost to the Government or hinder the effective administration of this part. No alternate method or procedure relating to the assessment, payment, or collection of tax shall be authorized under this paragraph.

(b) Where the taxpayer desires to employ an alternate method or procedure, a written application to do so must be submitted. The application must specifically describe the proposed alternate method or procedure and must set forth the reasons therefor. Alternate methods or procedures must not be employed until the appropriate TTB officer has approved the application. The taxpayer must, during the period of authorization of an alternate method or procedure, comply with the terms of the approved application. Authorization for any alternate method or procedure may be withdrawn whenever, in the judgment of the appropriate TTB officer, the revenue is jeopardized or the effective administration of this part is hindered by the continuation of such authorization.

(a) In general—(1) Form of records. The records required by the regulations in this part shall be kept accurately, but no particular form is required for keeping the records. Such forms and systems of accounting shall be used as will enable appropriate TTB officers to ascertain whether liability for tax is incurred and, if so, the amount thereof.

(2) [Reserved]

(b) Copies of returns, schedules, and statements. Every person who is required, by the regulations in this part or by instructions applicable to any form prescribed thereunder, to keep any copy of any return, schedule, statement, or other document, shall keep such copy as a part of the records.

(c) Records of claimants. Any person who, pursuant to the regulations in this part, claims a refund, credit, or abatement, shall keep a complete and detailed record with respect to the tax, interest, addition to the tax, additional amount, or assessable penalty to which the claim relates. Such record shall include any records required of the claimant by paragraph (b) of this section and subpart L of this part.

(d) Place and period for keeping records. (1) All records required by this part shall be prepared and kept by the person required to keep them, at one or more convenient and safe locations accessible to appropriate TTB officers, and shall at all times be immediately available for inspection by such officers.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, every person required by the regulations in this part to keep records in respect of a tax shall maintain such records for at least three years after the due date of such tax for the return period to which the records relate, or the date such tax is paid, whichever is later. The records of claimants required by paragraph (c) of this section shall be maintained for a period of at least three years after the date the claim is filed.

(e) Reproduction of original records. (1) General books of account, such as cash books, journals, voucher registers, ledgers, etc., shall be maintained and preserved in their original form. However, reproductions of supporting records of details, such as invoices, vouchers, production reports, sales records, certificates, proofs of exportation, etc., may be kept in lieu of the original records. Any process may be used which accurately and timely reproduces the original record, and which forms a durable medium for reproducing and preserving the original record.

(2) Copies of records treated as original records. Whenever records are reproduced under this section, the reproduced records shall be preserved in conveniently accessible files, and provisions shall be made for examining, viewing, and using the reproduced records the same as if they were the original record. Such reproduced records shall be treated and considered for all purposes as though they were the original record. All provisions of law and regulations applicable to the original record are applicable to the reproduced record.