Alcohol Tax
Under the Maryland alcohol tax laws, the Revenue Administration Division is responsible for monitoring the manufacture, storage, transportation, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages and tobacco in Maryland, while collecting nearly $310 million annually in state taxes on beer, wine and distilled spirits.
This section contains all of the information, resources and tools business taxpayers will need to understand the tax. Follow the links below and at the bottom of each page of the section.
Below are the current excise taxes for alcohol. Five 750 ml. bottles equals one gallon:
| Type | Tax per gallon | Tax per liter |
|---|---|---|
| Distilled Spirits | $1.50 per gallon | $0.3963 per liter |
| Wine | $ .40 per gallon | $0.1057 per liter |
| Beer, Cider and Mead | $ .09 per gallon | $0.023778 per liter |
Travelling and Alcoholic Beverages
Generally, up to one gallon (4 quarts) per trip is legal. One quart per trip is tax exempt. The remaining three quarts are taxed in Maryland. Only two quarts are tax exempt per calendar month. Five 750 ml. bottles equals one gallon:
| From | Tax Exempt |
|---|---|
| From within the United States | One quart, tax-free |
| From Guam, American Samoa, and U.S. Virgin Islands | One gallon, tax-free |
| From outside the United States | One gallon; one quart, tax-free (the remaining three quarts are taxed.) |
Filing Method
All alcohol returns and reports mailed, must have an original signature of an owner, partner or officer.
A ZERO tax return/report is due even if there is no activity for the month.
Monthly Filing Deadlines
| Return/Report | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Wholesale Beer Reports | 10th of the month following the report month |
| Maryland Brewery Tax Returns,
along with a copy of the Federal Brewer's Report of Operations |
10th of the month following the report quarter |
| Non-Resident Winery Returns | 10th of the month following the report month |
| Charity Wine Auction Permit Holder Report | 30 days after the event |
| Family Beer and Wine Facility Permit Report | 15th of October (filed annually) |
| Manufacturer's and Wholesalers of Wine and Distilled Spirits Monthly | 20th of the month following the report quarter |
| Manufacturer's and Wholesalers of Wine and Distilled Spirits Quarterly | 15th of the month following the report month |
| National Family Beer and/or Exhibition report | 30 days after the close of the event |
| Non-Resident Dealer Beer Tax Returns | 15th of the month following the report month |
| Railroad, Steamboats and Airplanes Tax Returns | 25th of the month following the report month |
| Storage Reports | 15th of the month following the report month |
Direct Wine Shipper Tax Return Information Filing Method
Direct Wine Shippers must submit Form 315, pages one and two. Direct Wine Shippers are allowed to submit their own spreadsheet in place of the second page as long as it contains the name, address, and number of liters shipped to each consumer.
Direct Wine Shippers can complete and print the form or you can file online at the Maryland Tax Connect Portal.
Quarterly Filing Deadlines
| Quarter | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Q1- January through March | April 10th |
| Q2- April through June | July 10th |
| Q3- July through September | October 10th |
| Q4- October through December | January 10th |
Acquisitions - Product received by your business from authorized sources.
Consignee - Consignee is the receiver of product.
Consignor - Consignor is the supplier of product.
Contracted Beer - Beer received or distributed in accordance with a contractual agreement between two authorized entities.
Conversion Calculation of Liters to Gallons - Convert total liters of product to total gallons by multiplying total amount of liters by .264 (example, one case of 750 ml bottles (12 bottles per case) = 9 liters x 0.264 = 2.376 gallons.
Custom Bonded Warehouse - Premises established under the provisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service regulations, on which alcohol production and other authorized operations may be conducted.
Direct Wine Shipper - A direct wine shipper's permit entitles the holder to ship directly to a Maryland consumer 21 years and older, ONLY its own manufactured wine.
Dispositions - Product distributed or removed from your business.
Excise Tax - Maryland collects special excise taxes on the sale of all types of alcohol, subdivided into specific taxes on wine, beer, and liquor. Please note, excise tax is separate from Maryland Sales and Use Tax which is collected as a percentage of the final purchase price of sale.
Fermentation - Process of fermentation involved in the making of beer, wine, and liquor, in which sugars are converted to ethyl alcohol.
Invoice number - Maryland Alcohol Tax forms use the term "invoice number" to uniquely identify a transaction in your records. Any combination of numeric, alpha, or special characters is accepted.
Manufacturer - A person/ business who operates within the State a place of business for blending, bottling, brewing, distilling, fermenting, or rectifying an alcoholic beverage.
On hand end of month inventory - Total physical inventory count of products at the end of reporting period.
Overproof - Distilled Spirit alcoholic beverage product that is above 100 proof, that is more than 50 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
Recapitulation - A restatement of alcohol beverage sales reflecting distribution by county.
Rectification - Maryland Alcohol Tax forms use the term "rectification" to reference the process whereby distilled spirits are cut, blended, mixed or infused with any ingredient in the production process prior to packaging.
Unaccountable Difference - The term "unaccountable difference" reflects a discrepancy between total on hand beginning inventory plus acquisitions and total on hand end of period inventory plus dispositions.
Unfinished Product - Bulk alcoholic beverage products not yet packaged for sale or distribution.
Wholesaler - An entity authorized to acquire alcoholic beverage for distribution to Retailers.
Assistance with alcohol tax matters is also available in person at branch locations, by telephone or e-mail. Individuals and businesses can also use online services to make convenient direct debit payments, find license and permit information, and satisfy other responsibilities.
General Information
Taxpayer Services (Business option)
TAXHELP@marylandtaxes.gov
410-260-7980 from Central Maryland or toll-free 1-800-638-2937
Tax Pro Helpline
taxprohelp@marylandtaxes.gov
410-260-7424
For general questions, requests for copies, inquiries regarding Comptroller issued notices, payment information, outstanding balance inquiries, Maryland Tax Connet Portal questions, payment research requests, etc.
Return/ Report Specific Questions:
ATM Unit- Alcohol, Tobacco, Motor Fuel & IFTA Returns Processing
Alcoholreturns@marylandtaxes.gov
License/ Permit Applications, Renewals, Holds, Issues:
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC)
atcc.licensing@maryland.gov
To request closure of an Alcohol Excise Tax License/ Permit, please contact ATCC.
Alcohol Tax Mailing Address
Comptroller of Maryland
Attn: ATM Unit
Revenue Administration Division
P.O. Box 2999
Annapolis, MD 21404-2999
| Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Maryland Tax Connect Portal | Make alcohol tax payments electronically |
| Credit Control Reporting System | Report unpaid credit sales owed to wholesalers |
| Alcohol Electronic Filing | File your Alcohol returns electronically |
If a tax payment is due with the alcohol tax return, a check or money order may accompany the return, or payment can be submitted electronically using the Web site below. If submitting payment electronically, please pay on or before the due date.
Returns and applications for licenses and permits, along with payment, can be mailed to:
Comptroller of Maryland
Attn: ATM Unit
Revenue Administration Division
P.O. Box 2999
Annapolis, MD 21404-2999
The following reports are part of a collection of annual and monthly revenue reports published by the Comptroller's Office. For a full listing of reports, see Spotlight on Maryland's Money.
- Alcohol Comparative Deliveries: This monthly report details the compares the delivery of alcoholic beverages and cigarette tax stamp sales to the same month of the previous year. The information provided is detailed by jurisdiction and type of product.
- Alcohol Receipts and Refunds: This report lists the amount collected in tax receipts, license and permit fees along with other miscellaneous charges for alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products on a monthly basis. The report also shows the percent change over the last 10 months.