Will TTB Postpone Excise Tax Payments for Importers?

TTB announced at the beginning of April that they will postpone excise tax-related filings for a 90 day period for taxes due after March 1 through July 1 2020, published in TTB Industry Circular 2020-2. However, this announcement did not apply to most imported products. Since that time, WSSA and the other industry associations have been working together to achieve parity for importers. 

WSSA and five other associations are signatories on a letter to Secretary of the Treasury, the Honorable Steven Mnuchin, requesting that the "payment dates for excise taxes on imported distilled spirits, wine, and beer be postponed for 90-days in the same manner that the Treasury Department has done other excise taxes." While support of any deferral of duty payments is limited, and we would suggest very unlikely, there is consideration of the postponement of Federal excise tax for importers, and we will keep you closely posted as to the success of the efforts being made in Washington DC.

Should you want to support this effort, outreach to your Congressional representatives via phone or email can certainly have an impact. We also express thanks to all of the industry associations who are working together to support the needs of the beverage alcohol community on every level. 

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like a copy of the letter sent to Sec. Mnuchin.