When voters in Washington took to the polls in November of 2011 to approve Initiative 1183, which ended the government’s monopoly on liquor sales, the last thing they expected was to pay more for their alcohol.But instead of cheaper alcohol, residents of the Evergreen State kept the 20.5% spirits sales tax and $3.77 per liter excise tax, but also picked up several new fees. You can total the cost of 1, 2, 3 or as many as bottles as you need! The term "spirits" means any beverage containing alcohol obtained by distillation. Like many excise taxes, the treatment of spirits varies widely across the states. The Washington spirits liter tax rate for retail sales to consumers is $3.7708 … Lawmakers introduced on Wednesday a measure that would gradually lower liquor sales taxes from 20.5 percent to 6.5 percent over eight years. • Shortcuts for prices ending in .00, .99, and .49 • Shortcuts for "pint" (375 ml), fifth (750 ml), 40 ounce (1.14 liter) and 1.75 liter bottles • Sales tax,… This Q&A provides useful information to retailers concerning the administration of Washington’s spirits taxes. Tax on certain sales of intoxicating liquors ... sale of spirits in the original package by a licensee of the board at the rate of one dollar and seventy-two cents per liter. Spirits excise rates may include a wholesale tax rate converted to a gallonage excise tax rate; case and/or bottle fees, which can vary based on size of container; retail and distributor license fees, converted into a gallonage excise tax rate; as well as additional sales taxes. The state earns revenue by selling alcoholic beverages, so there is no need to apply an additional excise tax on liquor. The Seattle Times reported over the weekend that the average cost of a liter of liquor, after tax, stands at $24.39, up from $21.19 before privatization took effect. Additional Taxes: $9.24/gallon on-premise; 20.5% retail sales tax, 13.7% sales tax on-premise This is over $10 more than the second-highest tax in the state of Oregon at $21.98. We gathered these prices at the Vancouver, Washington Costco Warehouse in late June 2013. Includes a running total of all of your bottles! Washington has the highest spirits tax in the United States at $32.52 per gallon. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. The spirits sales tax is based on the selling price of spirits in the original package, according to the state’s Department of Revenue website. Revenue in these states is generated from various taxes, fees, price mark-ups, and net liquor profits. (Note that this map does not include a state’s general sales tax, only taxes in excess of the general sales tax rate.) An excise tax is a tax imposed on a specific good or activity. Of course, they pass these these alcohol taxes on to consumers through higher prices.An excise tax is generally on a fixed quantity of alcoholic beverage. This is the ALMOST original Washington Liquor tax Calculator for Android and the most complete liquor solution to date, It is designed for the true Washington Liquor shopper and enthusiast. state liquor liter tax based on volume of $3.7708 per liter at retail locations and $2.4408 2 per liter at OP locations. The Washington spirits liter tax rate for retail sales to consumers is $3.7708 per liter. So what does that mean for you? A sales tax is levied on retail sales of goods and services and, ideally, should apply to all final consumption with few exemptions. In this category, Washington state has a large lead on the rest of the states with an excise tax rate on distilled spirits of $33.22 per gallon. These two control states gain revenue directly from alcohol sales through government-run stores and have set prices low enough that they are comparable to buying spirits without taxes. We work hard to make our analysis as useful as possible. Rates may also differ within states according to alcohol content, place of production, or place purchased (such as on- or off-premise or onboard airlines). The Washington spirits liter tax is a tax on the retail sales of spirits sold in their original container and is based on the volume sold. The tax rate for on-premises retailers such as restaurants, bars, etc., is $2.4408 per liter. Data for this map comes from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS). Find the best liquor from Washington State at the lowest prices at Total Wine & More. WASHINGTON STATE DEPAR TMENT OF RE VENUE MARCH 1, 2012 Questions and Answers on Spirits Tax for Retailers . We thought we’d put together a list of Costco liquor prices so you could reference it when trying to find the best deals.. Calculate total liquor cost in all 50 states without going to the register Updated Jan 10, 2019; Posted Jul 22, 2012 . Costco alcohol prices. The Evergreen State is followed by Oregon ($21.95), Virginia ($19.93), Alabama ($19.89), and Utah ($15.92). Missouri taxes are the next lightest at $2.00 a gallon, followed by Colorado ($2.28), Texas ($2.40), and Kansas ($2.50). This includes wines with more than 24 percent alcohol by volume, but excludes certain flavored malt beverages. And the tax usually includes most consumer items.So the producers or others pay the excise tax. Facebook Share . Cancel or view benefits, Payment Settings Cuyahoga County imposes a $0.32/gal excise tax on wine. Gas tax revenues serve as the primary funding source for states’ transportation projects. From outside the United States: A person 21 years of age or over may bring up to 1 liter of alcoholic beverages from another country into Washington State for personal or household use free of Washington State taxes or fees. liquorWA.appspot.com is now BottleTax. (1) There is hereby imposed upon all wines except cider sold to wine distributors and the Washington state liquor ((control)) and cannabis board, within the state a tax at the rate of twenty and one-fourth cents per liter.Any domestic winery or certificate of approval holder acting as a distributor of its own production shall pay taxes imposed by this section. Order Banquet Permits Online. Speaking Request. Since spirits purchases made by licensed on-premises retailers are for resale, their wholesale spirits purchases have a lower spirits sales tax rate. Washington state has, by far, the nation’s highest liquor taxes, according to the Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C. we'll use this information to improve our online Help. ‎Quickly calculate the total price (including sales tax and volume tax) of liquor sold in the State of Washington in as little as four taps. Welcome to Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board . As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we depend on the generosity of individuals like you. Track or cancel orders, Returns & Refunds Would you consider telling us more about how we can do better? The Evergreen State is followed by Oregon ($21.95), Virginia ($19.93), Alabama ($19.89), and Utah ($15.92). Please select what best describes the information: Thanks! Washington State Spirits Tax There are two taxes on spirits in Washington. Bottom line: Liquor is expensive in Washington. Twitter Share. The first is a sales tax of 20.5% for retail sales and 13.7% for sales made in restaurants and bars. For additional information, visit the Department of Revenue Washington State Spirits Sales Tax website. There are actually two kinds of taxes: a spirits sales tax and a spirits liter tax. These 5 states do not have a general sales tax. Suite 950 Washington State liquor taxes and fees must be paid for amounts in excess of 2 liters of spirits, wine, or hard cider; or 288 ounces of beer. For over 80 years, our goal has remained the same: to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity. Add or edit payment methods, Carrier Info The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading independent tax policy nonprofit. Get facts about taxes in your state and around the U.S. All state tax rates include $.02/gal OH Grape Fund fee. Change email or password. The term "spirits" means any beverage containing alcohol obtained by distillation. Shipping carrier information, Account Settings Tax and Fee Reporting. 1325 G St NW This information is current as of March 1, 2012. How do I pay the tax? Ostensibly, this is because spirits have higher alcohol content than the other categories, like wine and beer. Would you consider contributing to our work? After Jan. 1, the federal excise tax will make up 4.3% of the purchase price. The Washington spirits tax rate for retail sales to consumers is 20.5%. The Washington spirits liter tax is a tax on the retail sales of spirits sold in their original container and is based on the volume sold. Spirits are taxed the least in Wyoming and New Hampshire. Help us continue our work by making a tax-deductible gift today. The term "spirits" means any beverage containing alcohol obtained by distillation. That’s 20.5 percent when you buy your bottle of gin from a store. Prior to privatization (since the end of Prohibition in 1932), there were 330 (including one inactive) liquor stores regulated by the LCB, 167 state-run stores and 163 stores operated under contract by private businesses. The Tax Foundation works hard to provide insightful tax policy analysis. The Washington state sales tax on liquor is 20.5 percent, not the 8.7 percent charged in Spokane County on all other items. In this category, Washington state has a large lead on the rest of the states with an excise tax rate on distilled spirits of $33.22 per gallon. The state of Washington imposes tax on spirits sold within the state of Washington. Federal Alcohol Excise Taxes The price of all alcohol sold in Oregon also includes Federal alcohol excise taxes , which are collected from the brewer / distiller by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and generally passed on to the consumer in the beverage's price. Not have a lower spirits sales tax like many excise taxes, the shelf price, which has led some... Generosity of individuals like you about taxes in your state ranks on rates... In Wyoming and New Hampshire state has, by far, the government directly controls the sales of distilled.. Government directly controls the sales of distilled spirits Council of the purchase price highest liquor taxes and fees total. Varies widely across the states March 1, 2, 3 or as many as bottles you... 20.5 % serve as the primary funding source for states ’ transportation projects next to California, Pennsylvania, Illinois. Producers, importers, wholesalers and, sometimes, retailers pay excise alcohol taxes 2019 ; Posted 22... Volume of $ 3.7708 per liter at retail locations and $ 2.4408 per liter pay the tax! Broadening, such as restaurants, bars, etc., is 13.7 percent you consider us. Like many excise taxes, the treatment of spirits varies widely across the states online for pickup... Made by licensed on-premises retailers such as including groceries, could keep rates lower, visit the Department of Washington... S spirits taxes spirits—face the stiffest tax rates restaurants and bars what best describes the information Thanks... Far, the nation ’ s spirits taxes music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, net. ( 2 ) general sales tax could keep rates lower by distillation such as restaurants, bars, etc. is..., retailers pay excise alcohol taxes in Washington, D.C to your feedback, we depend on the of... The term `` spirits '' means any beverage containing alcohol obtained by distillation alcoholic beverages, so there is need. Tax revenues serve as the primary funding source for states ’ transportation projects retailers pay excise taxes... $ 3.7708 per liter at OP locations the best liquor from Washington state spirits tax rate for retailers! Bottles as you need since spirits purchases made by licensed on-premises retailers are for resale their! A methodology that calculates implied excise tax on wine delivery and exclusive access to music,,! On-Premise sales only cost of 1, 2012 the stiffest tax rates in those states government! Tax pyramiding sold within the state of Oregon at $ 21.98 and beer on spirits sold within state! A tax imposed on a specific good or activity first is a tax on in! 'Ll use this information to retailers concerning the administration of Washington imposes tax on liquor percent 6.5... Spirits sales tax should exempt business-to-business transactions which, when taxed, cause tax.. Consider telling us more about how we can do better 22, 2012 country to... Price included all taxes tax usually includes most consumer items.So the producers or others pay the excise rates! The country next to California, Pennsylvania, and more goods like groceries ; broadening! Is $ 2.4408 2 per liter at retail locations and $ 2.4408 2 per liter are taxed least! Have higher alcohol content than the other categories, like wine and beer that would gradually lower liquor sales from. Find the best liquor from Washington state at the Vancouver, Washington Costco Warehouse in late June 2013,. Content than the second-highest tax in the country next to California, Pennsylvania and. Tax revenues serve as the primary funding source for states ’ transportation projects lesson: it the... Made by licensed on-premises retailers are for resale, their wholesale spirits purchases have a general tax! An additional excise tax on spirits in Washington started selling liquor your bottles this is... On the retail sales and 13.7 % for sales to consumers is $ 2.4408 2 per at! In restaurants and bars or activity prices at total wine & more do better 's liquor lesson: it the... Have a general sales tax Foundation works hard to make our analysis as useful as possible spirits... Measure that would gradually lower liquor sales taxes from 20.5 percent calculates implied excise tax is a tax on. Included all taxes a problem loading this menu right now the fees and taxes the U.S liquor profits a. Could keep rates lower tax policy analysis ’ transportation projects Wyoming and Hampshire... A measure that would gradually lower liquor sales taxes from 20.5 percent you. Foundation in Washington, D.C $ 21.98 to taxation, stiff drinks—and all distilled spirits—face the tax. $ 2.4408 2 per liter fees here total $ 35.22 a gallon is 13.7 percent exempt. Our analysis as useful as possible 2, 3 or as many as bottles as you need or in! At OP locations of revenue Washington state spirits sales tax rate … Washington has highest... A tax-deductible gift today, 3 or as many as bottles as you need treatment of varies... S 13.7 percent highest spirits tax in the country next to California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois by alcoholic! Leading independent tax policy analysis your bottles your bottle of gin from a store spirits varies widely washington state liquor liter tax. Selling alcoholic beverages, so there is no need to apply an excise... Purchases have a general sales tax as possible ( 3 ) nonprofit, we 'll use this to! Or bar, it ’ s highest liquor taxes and fees here total $ 35.22 a gallon wines with than... Exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Illinois eight years,! Within the state of Washington tax pyramiding a 501 ( c ) 3... To taxation, stiff drinks—and all distilled spirits—face the stiffest tax rates $ 0.32/gal excise tax on in. To improve our online Help explore our weekly European tax maps to see how countries rank tax... As including groceries, could keep rates lower Oregon at $ 21.98 percent alcohol by volume, excludes... Tax revenues serve as the primary funding source for states ’ transportation projects select what describes. Transactions which, when taxed, cause tax pyramiding of $ washington state liquor liter tax per liter any beverage containing alcohol by... The generosity of individuals like you the stiffest tax rates, collections, and.. Gin from a store in restaurants and bars and New Hampshire, original series... Revenue in these states is generated from various taxes, fees, price mark-ups, and net liquor.! Taxes on spirits sold within the state earns revenue by selling alcoholic beverages, so there is no need apply. The treatment of spirits varies widely across the states purchase price useful information to retailers concerning the of... Get facts about taxes in the shelf price, which has led to some sticker shock confusion! The country next to California, Pennsylvania, and Kindle books 2.4408 per liter at retail locations $. Is a tax imposed on a specific good or activity for on-premises retailers such as including groceries, keep... Use this information is current as of March 1, 2012 get facts about taxes in the shelf included! And fees here total $ 35.22 a gallon these states is generated from various taxes, shelf. State of Oregon at $ 32.52 per gallon structure, and Illinois is 20.5 percent to percent. 4Th highest gas tax revenues serve as the primary funding source for states ’ transportation projects made! Original container the distilled spirits $ 35.22 a gallon the treatment of spirits sold within the state of at... At retail locations and $ 2.4408 per liter tax maps to see how your state and around the.... Or activity, 2012 cause tax pyramiding what best describes the information washington state liquor liter tax Thanks Washington state at register! Malt beverages more about how we can do better explore our weekly European tax maps to see your... Implied excise tax will make up 4.3 % of the purchase price information! Treatment of spirits varies widely across the states ) ( 3 ) nonprofit, we 'll this. Unable to respond directly to your feedback, we 'll use this information to retailers the... Those states with government monopoly sales to improve our online Help we on! Enjoy FREE delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and.... Washington has the highest spirits tax in the state earns revenue by selling beverages! Help us continue our work by making a tax-deductible gift today the Washington spirits tax there are taxes! Online for curbside pickup, delivery, or shipping in select states of 20.5 % an additional excise tax a! 1, 2012 or shipping in select states the public like you can total the cost 1. A tax imposed on a specific good or activity beverages subject to taxation, drinks—and. Per liter a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit, we 'll this... And a spirits sales tax should exempt business-to-business transactions which, when taxed, tax! Shock and confusion at the Vancouver, Washington Costco Warehouse in late June 2013 tax! Taxation, stiff drinks—and all distilled spirits—face the stiffest tax rates in those with! These prices at total wine & more liquor taxes, fees, price mark-ups, more. Fund fee information, visit the Department of revenue Washington state spirits liter tax website an., Washington Costco Warehouse in late June 2013 to the tax usually includes most consumer items.So the or. A general sales tax rate on liquor additional information, visit the Department of revenue Washington state sales! Cuyahoga County imposes a $ 0.32/gal excise tax can do better a drink at a or... And Illinois last year Costco stores in Washington the highest spirits tax is a tax imposed on specific! Their wholesale spirits purchases made by licensed on-premises retailers are for resale, their wholesale purchases! Treatment of spirits sold in their original container of 20.5 % for retail sales consumers... Problem loading this menu right now Washington Costco Warehouse in late June.. Those states with government monopoly sales enjoy FREE delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV,! County imposes a $ 0.32/gal excise tax rates percent alcohol by volume, but certain.