TAX REFUNDS ON SPIRITS LOST IN FLOODS OF 1951.

SEC. 498. TAX REFUNDS ON SPIRITS LOST IN FLOODS OF 1951. (a) Authorization.—The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to make refund, or allow credit in the case of a distiller or rectifier if he so elects, in the amount of the internal-revenue tax and customs duties paid on spirits previously withdrawn, and lost, or rendered unmarketable, by reason of the floods of 1951 while such spirits were in the possession of (1) the person originally paying such tax or such tax and duty on such spirits, (2) a rectifier for rectification or for bottling, or which have been used in the process of rectification, under Government supervision as provided by law and regulations, or (3) a wholesale or retail liquor dealer, all hereafter referred to as the possessor or possessors. The refunds and credits authorized by this section may be made to (1) any of the possessors, except a retail liquor 65 Stat. 541 dealer, or (2) to any distiller, rectifier, importer, or wholesale liquor dealer who replaced for the possessor the full equivalent of the distilled spirits so destroyed or rendered unmarketable, without compensation, remuneration, payment, or credit of any kind in respect of the tax. or tax and duty on such distilled spirits. A claim for the amount of such tax, or such tax and duty, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Treasury within ninety days from the date of enactment of this Act. The claimant shall furnish proof to the Secretary’s satisfaction that (1) the internal-revenue tax on such spirits, or the tax and duty if imported, was fully paid, (2) such spirits were lost, or rendered unmarketable, by reason of damage sustained as the result of the aforesaid flood conditions, (3) claimant was not indemnified by any valid claim of insurance or otherwise against loss of the tax (or tax and duty if imported) paid on the spirits, and (4) in those cases where applicable, that the claimant has replaced for the possessor the full equivalent of the distilled spirits so destroyed or rendered unmarketable, without compensation, remuneration, payment, or credit of any kind in respect of the tax, or tax and duty, on such distilled spirits. (b) Destruction of Spirits.—When the Secretary, pursuant to this section, makes refund, or allows credit, in the amount of the tax, or tax and duty, on spirits rendered unmarketable, such spirits shall be destroyed under the supervision of the Secretary. (c) Credit.—Where credit is allowed to a distiller or rectifier for the internal-revenue tax previously paid as aforesaid, the Secretary is authorized and directed to provide for the issuance of stamps to cover the tax on spirits subsequently withdrawn or rectified to the extent of the credit so allowed. (d) Regulations.—The Secretary is authorized to make such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.