Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ADAM J. TALIAFERRO
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Reduces alcoholic beverage tax rate on cider and low-percentage alcohol by volume liquors.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act reducing the alcoholic beverage tax rate on cider and low-percentage alcohol by volume liquors, amending R.S.54:43-1.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.54:43-1 is amended to read as follows:
54:43-1. Tax rates. There are hereby levied and imposed upon any sale of alcoholic beverages made within this State or upon any delivery of alcoholic beverages made within or into this State the following excise taxes:
a. Beer [--From July 1, 1990 through June 30, 1992, at the rate of $0.10 a gallon or fraction thereof and on or after July 1, 1992, at the rate of] : $0.12 a gallon or fraction thereof.
b. Liquors [--From July 1, 1990 through June 30, 1992, at the rate of $4.20 a gallon, on or after July 1, 1992 through July 31, 2009, at the rate of $4.40 a gallon and on or after August 1, 2009, at the rate of] : $5.50 a gallon , except that liquors containing less than eight percent of alcohol by volume shall be taxed at $0.12 a gallon.
c. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1972, c.53.)
d. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1972, c.53.)
e. Wines, vermouth and sparkling wines [--From July 1, 1990 through June 30, 1992, at the rate of $0.50 a gallon, on or after July 1, 1992 through July 31, 2009, at the rate of $0.70 a gallon; and on or after August 1, 2009, at the rate of] : $0.875 a gallon, provided however, that cider containing at least three and two-tenths per centum (3 2/10 %) of alcohol by volume but not more than 7 per centum (7%) of alcohol by volume shall be taxed at the rate of [$0.15] $0.12 a gallon.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.71, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect the first day of the fourth month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill reduces the alcoholic beverage tax rate on cider and low-percentage alcohol by volume (ABV) liquors so that they match the tax rate for beer.
Under the alcoholic beverage tax, cider is taxed at $0.15 a gallon and beer is taxed at $0.12 a gallon. This bill reduces the rate on cider to $0.12 a gallon to match the tax rate for beer.
Low-percentage ABV liquors, such as canned cocktails, are currently taxed at the rate for liquor, which is $5.50 a gallon. Pursuant to this bill, liquors with lower than eight percent ABV will be taxed at $0.12 a gallon to match the tax rate for beer.