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Alcohol Special Occupational Taxes: Administration and Compliance Issues

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Aug. 10, 1998
Report No. GGD-98-156
Subject
Summary:

Businesses that manufacture and sell alcohol are required to register their operating locations with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and to pay special occupational taxes. ATF collects the taxes and enforces compliance with other special occupational tax requirements. The revenue collected is deposited into the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury. ATF estimates that alcohol occupational taxes accounted for more than 90 percent of the $107 million collected from alcohol, tobacco, and firearms occupational taxes in fiscal year 1997. Several proposals have been made to eliminate or change the alcohol special occupational tax. This report discusses the (1) methods that ATF uses to enforce compliance with the taxes and the costs incurred in these efforts; (2) compliance rates for alcohol producers, wholesalers, and retailers; and (3) arguments that have been made for and against these occupational taxes.

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