Superfund Tax Poised to Catch Small Chemicals Companies Unaware

Small chemicals companies and importers are not ready for the return of an excise tax on chemicals they produce or import that was most recently in place almost 30 years ago.

The Superfund excise tax, as it is called, imposes a levy on chemicals companies and importers for substances known to pollute. The tax is designed to raise money to clean up highly polluted areas. It was first implemented in 1986 and expired in 1995.

Congress included a provision in the infrastructure law enacted in November that reinstates the tax ...