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Business Taxes Law Guide—Revision 2024

Alcoholic Beverage Tax Law

Revenue and Taxation Code

Division 2. Other Taxes
Part 14. Alcoholic Beverage Tax

Chapter 5.5. Surtax on Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits. 1

Article 1 Imposition of the Surtax

Article 2 Disposition of Proceeds


1Chapter 5.5 was added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 86, in effect June 30, 1991.


Article 1. Imposition of Tax


32220. Excise surtax. On and after July 15, 1991, an excise surtax is hereby imposed upon all beer and wine sold in this state by a manufacturer, winegrower, or importer, and upon all distilled spirits sold in this state by a manufacturer, distilled spirits manufacturer's agent, brandy manufacturer, winegrower, importer, rectifier, wholesaler, common carrier with respect to distilled spirits sales made upon boats, trains, and airplanes, or persons licensed to sell distilled spirits upon boats, trains, and airplanes, and upon sellers of beer, wine, or distilled spirits with respect to which no tax has been paid within areas over which the United States government exercises jurisdiction, at the following rates:

(a) On all beer, sixteen cents ($0.16) per gallon and at a proportionate rate for any other quantity.

(b) On all still wines containing not more than 14 percent of absolute alcohol by volume, nineteen cents ($0.19) per wine gallon and at a proportionate rate for any other quantity.

(c) On all still wines containing more than 14 percent of absolute alcohol by volume, eighteen cents ($0.18) per wine gallon and at a proportionate rate for any other quantity.

(d) On sparkling hard cider, eighteen cents ($0.18) per wine gallon and at a proportionate rate for any other quantity.

(e) On all distilled spirits of proof strength or less, one dollar and thirty cents ($1.30) per wine gallon and at a proportionate rate for any other quantity.

(f) On all distilled spirits in excess of proof strength, two dollars and sixty cents ($2.60) per wine gallon and at a proportionate rate for any other quantity.

History—Stats. 1991, Ch. 88, in effect June 30, 1991, substituted "15" for "1" after "July" in the first and second sentences.


32221. Floor stock taxes. Except with respect to beer and wine in the internal revenue bonded premises of a manufacturer, and except with respect to distilled spirits in the possession of a distilled spirits manufacturer, distilled spirits manufacturer's agent, brandy manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or common carrier licensed to sell distilled spirits on board boats, trains, and airplanes, floor stock taxes are hereby imposed in amounts equal to the surtaxes imposed by Section 32220 upon all alcoholic beverages upon which the surtaxes have not been paid, that are in the possession or under the control of every person licensed under Division 9 (commencing with Section 23000) of the Business and Professions Code at 2:01 a.m. on July 15, 1991. On or before August 31, 1991, each person subject to the tax imposed by this section shall prepare and file with the State Board of Equalization, on a form prescribed by the board, a return showing the amount of units of beer, wine, sparkling hard cider, and distilled spirits possessed by him or her at 2:01 a.m. on July 15, 1991, that are subject to the tax imposed by this section, and any other information the board deems necessary for the proper administration of this chapter. The tax payer shall deliver the return, together with a remittance of the amount of tax due, to the office of the board on or before August 31, 1991.

History—Stats. 1991, Ch. 88, in effect June 30, 1991, substituted "15" for "1" after "July" in the first and second sentences.


32222. Surtax in addition to other taxes. The taxes imposed by this article are in addition to any other tax imposed upon beer, wine, sparkling hard cider, or distilled spirits by this part.


32223. Administration of surtax. All the provisions of this part relating to excise taxes, with the exception of those contained in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 32501), are applicable also to the taxes imposed by this article, to the extent that those provisions are not inconsistent with this article.


Article 2. Disposition of Proceeds

32230. Disposition of proceeds. All surtaxes, interest, and penalties imposed and required to be paid under this chapter shall be made in remittances to the State Board of Equalization and shall be deposited in the General Fund.