On Sept. 4, 2012, the Georgia Department of Revenue Alcohol and Tobacco Division introduced an electronic filing and licensing system. All alcohol licensees are now required to renew their license, register brands, file reports and pay excise taxes through the Georgia Tax Center (GTC), located on the Department of Revenue’s website. In order to set […]
Kentucky Court Ruling May Eventually Change Rules
The U.S. District Court in Louisville, Kentucky has entered a non-final order in Maxwell’s Pic-Pac, Inc. v. Dehner. The issue in the case was the constitutionality of Kentucky’s statutory and regulatory framework prohibiting the licensing of food stores to sell spirits and wine. The fact that Kentucky has, essentially since the end of prohibition, allowed […]
NJ Tax Laws Impede DTC Application Process
The provisions of Senate Bill 3172 became effective on May 1, 2012 making New Jersey the 39th state open for direct-to-consumer shipping. Under the new law wineries producing up to 250,000 gallons per year are eligible to apply for an Out-Of-State Winery License that allows them to ship up to 12 nine liter cases to […]
New Jersey Direct Shipping Bill Sent to Governor
On Monday, Jan. 9, the New Jersey Assembly voted in favor of A.4436 (identical to the senate version) which allows in- and out-of-state wineries producing less than 250,000 gallons per year to ship directly to New Jersey consumers. Specifically, the legislation establishes an Out-of-State Small Winery License that allows wineries to sell to a New […]
Industry Advisory for Third Party Providers
The California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control recently published an Industry Advisory for Third Party Service Providers (TPPs) (October 2011). TPPs are entities that assist wineries and other licensees with the promotion, marketing and sale of alcoholic beverages by licensees via the Internet or other streams of commerce. TTPs are not licensed by the […]
WSLCB Eliminates Online Tax Filing Fee
The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) has announced that businesses will no longer be charged a convenience fee to use the Online Tax and Reporting Payment System. As of, October 26, 2011 wineries, breweries and Washington retailers will not be charged a $1.00 convenience fee to file monthly tax reports and make tax payments […]
New York Reduces DTC Reporting Requirements
Direct-to-consumer wine shippers are no longer required to submit shipping reports to the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA). Legislation eliminating the semi-annual direct shipper’s reports became effective on October 20, 2011 making the reporting process more efficient and easier for wineries to comply with. Wineries should continue to maintain records showing the total amount […]
Maryland DTC Reports
The Maryland Direct Wine Shipper Quarterly Report Form was first made available on October 5, 2011. The Comptroller’s office recognized that the late publication date left little time for wineries to comply with the October 10th filing deadline and has extended the due date for the reporting period of July, August and September to November […]
Louisiana Increases Volume Limit for DTC Shipping
Louisiana recently made an adjustment to its direct-to-consumer wine shipping law that benefits the industry and consumers. The volume limit for direct-to-consumer shipping has increased from 4 cases per consumer each year to 12 cases (144 750ml bottles) per consumer each year. Wineries must have a direct shipping permit in order to ship to consumers […]
FedEx Services Expand to Maryland
Wineries participating in the Wine Institute-FedEx Affinity program should note that FedEx is now servicing Maryland. Both FedEx Ground and FedEx Express have been approved to deliver wine to consumers in Maryland provided the wine is shipped by a winery with a valid Maryland direct wine shipper’s permit. Members of Wine Institute enrolled in the […]
