More and more states are moving to electronic filing of taxes, reports and applications for licenses and license renewals. With the end of the fiscal year looming, now is a good time for wineries to confirm they are using the correct forms and proper filing method in various states.
In Virginia, for example, on January 1, 2022, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority rolled out a new online licensing system, the “VAL” portal. On May 1 ABC began onboarding current licensees into the new system, which will allow licensees to apply, renew, modify and surrender licenses; pay license fees, fines and excise taxes; and get direct access to franchise agreements and other documents associated with licenses. While Virginia direct wine shipper licenses can be obtained and renewed, and wine excise taxes can be paid via the VAL portal, the capacity to upload monthly wine shipping reports is not currently included. Wine Institute has requested that direct wine shipping reports be added to VAL’s capacity, but ABC was unwilling to commit to when this might exist in the future. Find out more about how to use the new portal on the VAL website.
