SB 788

Alcoholic beverage control; payment of excise tax on beer, wine coolers, and wine; penalties. Specifies that the civil penalty imposed on a manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler who fails to make any return and pay the full amount of certain taxes imposed on wine and beer is not to exceed five percent of the proper tax due if the failure is for not more than 30 days, with an additional five percent for each additional 30 days, or fraction thereof, during which the failure continues. The bill also provides a 60-day period for any such manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler to make such return and pay the full amount of the excise tax prior to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority suspending or revoking a license. The bill also requires the Authority to implement an online electronic system for wholesale wine licensees to (i) report to the Authority the purchases and sales made during the preceding month and the amount of state wine tax collected from retailers and (ii) provide payment for the amount of taxes collected, less any refunds, replacements, or adjustments by November 1, 2026.