Charter toolkit
Charter tax calculator
Work out US federal excise tax and segment fees on a private jet charter using 2026 IRS rates.
US taxes on private jet charter, explained
When you charter a jet from an FAA Part 135 operator, the flight is commercial air transportation and federal excise taxes apply, exactly as they do to airline tickets. There are three parts:
- Transportation tax: 7.5% of the amount paid for domestic flights. Not indexed to inflation.
- Domestic segment fee: $5.30 per passenger, per segment (one takeoff and landing).
- International arrival/departure tax: $23.40 per passenger for each international departure from or arrival into the US. Departures from Alaska and Hawaii pay $11.70.
The per-passenger amounts change every January. On a typical charter they are small next to the 7.5% tax. See how taxes fit into the full trip price with the charter cost calculator.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the federal excise tax on private jet charter?
Commercial charter flights within the US carry a 7.5% tax on the amount paid, plus a per-passenger segment fee of $5.30 for each takeoff and landing in 2026. These are the same taxes that apply to airline tickets.
Do international charter flights pay the 7.5% tax?
Flights between the US and a foreign point generally do not pay the 7.5% tax. Instead each passenger pays an international arrival or departure tax of $23.40 (2026) for each US departure or arrival. Special rules apply to trips within 225 miles of the border into Canada or Mexico.
Does the tax apply to empty legs and repositioning?
The tax applies to the amount the customer pays for taxable transportation. When repositioning is billed to you as part of the charter price, it is generally part of the taxable amount. Ask your advisor to show taxes as a separate line in the quote.
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