Blog

What are the Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Cider Shipping Laws by State?

DtC cider shipping can be complicated in that whether a state permits it often depends on how a state defines “cider.” Ciders are a general category of beverage alcohol products, made from fermented apples or pears, with a low to moderate alcohol content and often sold as an alternative to malt beverages.  In terms of […]

Read More
Out-of-State Retailers May Not Ship Wine to Idaho

A recent review by the state of Idaho Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) division’s legal team has conclusively determined that out-of-state retailers have no permission to ship any beverage alcohol products direct-to-consumer (DtC) in the state. This determination reverses previous interpretations of Idaho’s laws, which had been understood to permit such shipments As the DtC wine […]

Read More
The Data: Wine DtC Shipments and Off-Premise Retail (July 2021 Special Report)

Summer is winding down and the wine landscape continues to fluctuate in response to the pandemic. Staying mindful of marketplace data will ensure the industry can properly adjust to any ebbs and flows, helping wine producers, retailers and consumers alike.  Nielsen is collaborating with Wines Vines Analytics and Sovos ShipCompliant to provide a much more […]

Read More
DtC Shipping Essentials: Alcohol Not of Own Production

Understanding brand ownership and self-production requirements We’ve previously discussed how direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of alcohol has numerous requirements and regulations for producers and retailers. Everything from getting licensed to brand label registration details to age verification protocols must be considered. But what happens when an alcohol producer (e.g., a winery, brewery, distillery or cidery) wants […]

Read More
6 Key Ways to Maintain VDA Administrator Contact

If you are currently enrolled in Delaware’s voluntary disclosure agreement (VDA) program, it is very important to provide periodic updates to the VDA administrator contact assigned to you – either Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP or TL2Q, LLC.. All correspondence from the state or it’s administrators should be treated seriously and responded to in […]

Read More
Texas Set to Implement Major Changes to Alcohol License Types and Fees

A review of the passage of House Bill 1545, also known as the 2019 TABC Sunset Bill, has compelled the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to majorly revamp their alcohol license process and fees. The following changes are set to be effective September 1, 2021.  What changes are occurring? Texas is moving from 75 to […]

Read More
How Sovos Customer Support Impacts Your Sales Tax Experience

My colleague, Lisa Holmquest, previously discussed what can be expected from implementing new sales tax software. Sovos aims to deliver value quickly and reduce the cost and effort required to integrate with a new system. Additionally, we want our customers to feel supported 24/7, even when things don’t go as expected. When it comes to […]

Read More
What Are the Retailer DtC Shipping Laws?

Direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping continues to grow in popularity, something that has not gone unnoticed by retailers. While alcohol producers enjoy broad access to the DtC shipping market, there are nuanced alcohol retailer DtC shipping laws and regulatory rules for compliance. A key consideration for retailers looking to ship alcohol DtC is recognizing the states that […]

Read More
How Accounting and Finance Teams Can Face the ‘Great Resignation’

As offices around the world begin to reopen after nearly 18 months of employees working from home, many buildings aren’t as full as they used to be. In fact, 2.7% of the workforce quit their jobs in June 2021 alone. This is caused in large part by what many are calling the “Great Resignation.” Finance […]

Read More
Delaware Reporting Verification Letters

The State of Delaware Department of Finance sent out letters to Holders requesting verification of annual unclaimed property reports for property presumed abandoned as of December 31,  2020. These Delaware reporting verification letters are targeted to holders that previously reported unclaimed property to Delaware but did not submit a 2020 report, which was due on […]

Read More
DtC Shipping Essentials: Brand Label Registration

Brand label registration is an essential part of the process of selling alcohol. And while many suppliers are aware of these requirements for three-tier distribution, they can often overlook them when it comes to direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping.  Alcohol labels, whether on a bottle, can or keg, have lots of information that is highly regulated, both […]

Read More
Spirit New Product Registrations Surge 112% Over Last Year

Wine and beer new product registrations also see positive growth in Q2 2021  The beverage alcohol industry continues to fluctuate as it accounts for varying consumer buying patterns, due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second quarter of 2021 saw positive growth in new product registrations, with the spirit category leading the way. […]

Read More
Top 5 Proposed Changes in Crypto 1099 Reporting Guidance

The hotly anticipated crypto 1099 information reporting tax law changes may finally come to light this week. In an interesting twist to the bipartisan infrastructure bill negotiations, Senator Rob Portman (R)-OH added specific 1099 reporting tax law changes for digital asset transactions. The additions to the bill, entitled “Enhancement of Information Reporting for Brokers and […]

Read More
G20 Ministers Agree to Move Forward with Global Tax Reform Deal

In the “Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising From the Digitalization of the Economy” issued on 1 July 2021, members of the G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) have agreed upon a framework to move forward with a global tax reform deal. This will address the […]

Read More
Unclaimed Property Audit Support Results

So, who wants to read another article about unclaimed property audits and how burdensome they are?  I mean sure, most of you have either heard, read about, or experienced firsthand how difficult the examinations are to navigate and how long they can be, but rarely do we hear any good news when it comes to […]

Read More
2021 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Mid-Year Report

Following the January release of our annual Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report in partnership with Wines Vines Analytics, consumers continue to make changes in how they get their wine. With the economy still working to rebound in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ecommerce sales have remained important. On-premise locations, including bars, restaurants and tasting rooms, […]

Read More
What are the DtC Wine Shipping Laws By State?

Most states have direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping laws, but you must follow the rules of the destination state when doing it. States can have varying requirements and limitations when it comes to licensing, product restrictions, dry communities or even volume limits for how much a given customer can receive. For example, Massachusetts restricts licensees from […]

Read More
What the New E-988 Surcharge Means for Tax Compliance

In sales tax, ideas spread fast. In the new E-988 surcharge, we may be seeing the very beginning stages of what ultimately might become a new and expansive tax compliance requirement for sellers of prepaid wireless products and services. It all started in July 2020 when the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) adopted regulations designating the […]

Read More