Virginia Law

Article 3. Applications for Licenses and Permits; Fees; Taxes.

A. Every person intending to apply for any license authorized by this chapter shall file with the Board an application on forms provided by the Board and a statement in writing by the applicant swearing and affirming that all of the information contained therein is true.

Applicants for retail licenses for establishments that serve food or are otherwise required to obtain a food establishment permit from the Department of Health or an inspection by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall provide a copy of such permit, proof of inspection, proof of a pending application for such permit, or proof of a pending request for such inspection. If the applicant provides a copy of such permit, proof of inspection, proof of a pending application for a permit, or proof of a pending request for an inspection, a license may be issued to the applicant. If a license is issued on the basis of a pending application or inspection, such license shall authorize the licensee to purchase alcoholic beverages in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle; however, the licensee shall not sell or serve alcoholic beverages until a permit is issued or an inspection is completed.

B. In addition, each applicant for a license under the provisions of this chapter, except applicants for annual banquet, banquet, tasting, special events, club events, annual mixed beverage banquet, wine and beer shipper's, delivery permit, annual arts venue, or museum licenses issued under the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 4.1-200 et seq.), or beer or wine importer's licenses, shall post a notice of his application with the Board on the front door of the building, place, or room where he proposes to engage in such business for no more than 30 days and not less than 10 days. Such notice shall be of a size and contain such information as required by the Board, including a statement that any objections shall be submitted to the Board not more than 30 days following initial publication of the notice required pursuant to this subsection.

The applicant shall also cause notice to be published at least once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in or having a general circulation in the county, city, or town wherein such applicant proposes to engage in such business. Such notice shall contain such information as required by the Board, including a statement that any objections to the issuance of the license be submitted to the Board not later than 30 days from the date of the initial newspaper publication. In the case of wine and beer shipper's licensees, third-party delivery licensees, delivery permittees, or operators of boats, dining cars, buffet cars, club cars, buses, and airplanes, the posting and publishing of notice shall not be required.

Except for applicants for annual banquet, banquet, tasting, mixed beverage special events, club events, annual mixed beverage banquet, wine and beer shipper's, beer or wine importer's, annual arts venue, or museum licenses, the Board shall conduct a background investigation, to include a criminal history records search, which may include a fingerprint-based national criminal history records search, on each applicant for a license. However, the Board may waive, for good cause shown, the requirement for a criminal history records search and completed personal data form for officers, directors, nonmanaging members, or limited partners of any applicant corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership.

Except for applicants for wine and beer shipper's licenses and delivery permits, the Board shall notify the local governing body of each license application through the county or city attorney or the chief law-enforcement or administrative officer of the locality. Local governing bodies shall submit objections to the granting of a license within 30 days of the filing of the application.

C. Each applicant shall pay the required application fee at the time the application is filed. Each license application fee, including annual banquet and annual mixed beverage banquet, shall be $195, plus the actual cost charged to the Department of State Police by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Criminal Records Exchange for processing any fingerprints through the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Criminal Records Exchange for each criminal history records search required by the Board, except for banquet, tasting, or mixed beverage club events licenses, in which case the application fee shall be $15. The application fee for banquet special event and mixed beverage special event licenses shall be $45. Application fees shall be in addition to the state license fee required pursuant to § 4.1-231.1 and shall not be refunded.

D. Subsection A shall not apply to the continuance of licenses granted under this chapter; however, all licensees shall file and maintain with the Board a current, accurate record of the information required by the Board pursuant to subsection A and notify the Board of any changes to such information in accordance with Board regulations.

E. Every application for a permit granted pursuant to § 4.1-212 shall be on a form provided by the Board. Such permits shall confer upon their holders no authority to make solicitations in the Commonwealth as otherwise provided by law.

The fee for a temporary permit shall be one-twelfth of the combined fees required by this section for applicable licenses to sell wine, beer, or mixed beverages computed to the nearest cent and multiplied by the number of months for which the permit is granted.

F. The Board shall have the authority to increase state license fees from the amounts set forth in § 4.1-231.1 as it was in effect on January 1, 2022. The Board shall set the amount of such increases on the basis of the consumer price index and shall not increase fees more than once every three years. Prior to implementing any state license fee increase, the Board shall provide notice to all licensees and the general public of (i) the Board's intent to impose a fee increase and (ii) the new fee that would be required for any license affected by the Board's proposed fee increases. Such notice shall be provided on or before November 1 in any year in which the Board has decided to increase state license fees, and such increases shall become effective July 1 of the following year.

Code 1950, §§ 4-26, 4-30, 4-31, 4-33; 1952, c. 535; 1954, cc. 301, 351; 1956, c. 523; 1960, c. 476; 1968, c. 7, § 4-98.16; 1970, c. 627; 1972, cc. 178, 717; 1974, c. 267; 1975, c. 408; 1976, cc. 67, 496, 696, 698; 1978, cc. 190, 446; 1980, cc. 299, 324, 524, 526, § 4-25.1; 1981, c. 410; 1982, cc. 66, 527; 1984, cc. 53, 180, 200, 559, 703; 1985, c. 457; 1986, cc. 94, 190, 615; 1988, c. 786; 1989, c. 311; 1990, cc. 108, 300, 390, 442, 707, 727, 810; 1991, c. 425; 1992, c. 350; 1993, cc. 166, 866; 1994, c. 825; 1996, cc. 584, 596; 1998, c. 535; 1999, cc. 112, 756; 2003, cc. 1029, 1030; 2004, cc. 382, 487; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 4; 2005, cc. 361, 951; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2; 2007, cc. 99, 799; 2008, c. 765; 2011, c. 65; 2015, c. 412; 2017, c. 596; 2018, cc. 405, 406, 657; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 82, 186; 2022, cc. 78, 79.

A. Every person intending to apply for any license authorized by this chapter shall file with the Board an application on forms provided by the Board and a statement in writing by the applicant swearing and affirming that all of the information contained therein is true.

Applicants for retail licenses for establishments that serve food or are otherwise required to obtain a food establishment permit from the Department of Health or an inspection by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall provide a copy of such permit, proof of inspection, proof of a pending application for such permit, or proof of a pending request for such inspection. If the applicant provides a copy of such permit, proof of inspection, proof of a pending application for a permit, or proof of a pending request for an inspection, a license may be issued to the applicant. If a license is issued on the basis of a pending application or inspection, such license shall authorize the licensee to purchase alcoholic beverages in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle; however, the licensee shall not sell or serve alcoholic beverages until a permit is issued or an inspection is completed.

B. In addition, each applicant for a license under the provisions of this chapter, except applicants for annual banquet, banquet, tasting, special events, club events, annual mixed beverage banquet, wine and beer shipper's, delivery permit, annual arts venue, or museum licenses issued under the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 4.1-200 et seq.), or beer or wine importer's licenses, shall post a notice of his application with the Board on the front door of the building, place, or room where he proposes to engage in such business for no more than 30 days and not less than 10 days. Such notice shall be of a size and contain such information as required by the Board, including a statement that any objections shall be submitted to the Board not more than 30 days following initial publication of the notice required pursuant to this subsection.

The applicant shall also cause notice to be published at least once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in or having a general circulation in the county, city, or town wherein such applicant proposes to engage in such business. Such notice shall contain such information as required by the Board, including a statement that any objections to the issuance of the license be submitted to the Board not later than 30 days from the date of the initial newspaper publication. In the case of wine and beer shipper's licensees, delivery permittees, or operators of boats, dining cars, buffet cars, club cars, buses, and airplanes, the posting and publishing of notice shall not be required.

Except for applicants for annual banquet, banquet, tasting, mixed beverage special events, club events, annual mixed beverage banquet, wine and beer shipper's, beer or wine importer's, annual arts venue, or museum licenses, the Board shall conduct a background investigation, to include a criminal history records search, which may include a fingerprint-based national criminal history records search, on each applicant for a license. However, the Board may waive, for good cause shown, the requirement for a criminal history records search and completed personal data form for officers, directors, nonmanaging members, or limited partners of any applicant corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership.

Except for applicants for wine and beer shipper's licenses and delivery permits, the Board shall notify the local governing body of each license application through the county or city attorney or the chief law-enforcement or administrative officer of the locality. Local governing bodies shall submit objections to the granting of a license within 30 days of the filing of the application.

C. Each applicant shall pay the required application fee at the time the application is filed. Each license application fee, including annual banquet and annual mixed beverage banquet, shall be $195, plus the actual cost charged to the Department of State Police by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Criminal Records Exchange for processing any fingerprints through the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Criminal Records Exchange for each criminal history records search required by the Board, except for banquet, tasting, or mixed beverage club events licenses, in which case the application fee shall be $15. The application fee for banquet special event and mixed beverage special event licenses shall be $45. Application fees shall be in addition to the state license fee required pursuant to § 4.1-231.1 and shall not be refunded.

D. Subsection A shall not apply to the continuance of licenses granted under this chapter; however, all licensees shall file and maintain with the Board a current, accurate record of the information required by the Board pursuant to subsection A and notify the Board of any changes to such information in accordance with Board regulations.

E. Every application for a permit granted pursuant to § 4.1-212 shall be on a form provided by the Board. Such permits shall confer upon their holders no authority to make solicitations in the Commonwealth as otherwise provided by law.

The fee for a temporary permit shall be one-twelfth of the combined fees required by this section for applicable licenses to sell wine, beer, or mixed beverages computed to the nearest cent and multiplied by the number of months for which the permit is granted.

F. The Board shall have the authority to increase state license fees from the amounts set forth in § 4.1-231.1 as it was in effect on January 1, 2022. The Board shall set the amount of such increases on the basis of the consumer price index and shall not increase fees more than once every three years. Prior to implementing any state license fee increase, the Board shall provide notice to all licensees and the general public of (i) the Board's intent to impose a fee increase and (ii) the new fee that would be required for any license affected by the Board's proposed fee increases. Such notice shall be provided on or before November 1 in any year in which the Board has decided to increase state license fees, and such increases shall become effective July 1 of the following year.

Code 1950, §§ 4-26, 4-30, 4-31, 4-33; 1952, c. 535; 1954, cc. 301, 351; 1956, c. 523; 1960, c. 476; 1968, c. 7, § 4-98.16; 1970, c. 627; 1972, cc. 178, 717; 1974, c. 267; 1975, c. 408; 1976, cc. 67, 496, 696, 698; 1978, cc. 190, 446; 1980, cc. 299, 324, 524, 526, § 4-25.1; 1981, c. 410; 1982, cc. 66, 527; 1984, cc. 53, 180, 200, 559, 703; 1985, c. 457; 1986, cc. 94, 190, 615; 1988, c. 786; 1989, c. 311; 1990, cc. 108, 300, 390, 442, 707, 727, 810; 1991, c. 425; 1992, c. 350; 1993, cc. 166, 866; 1994, c. 825; 1996, cc. 584, 596; 1998, c. 535; 1999, cc. 112, 756; 2003, cc. 1029, 1030; 2004, cc. 382, 487; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 4; 2005, cc. 361, 951; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2; 2007, cc. 99, 799; 2008, c. 765; 2011, c. 65; 2015, c. 412; 2017, c. 596; 2018, cc. 405, 406, 657; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 82, 186; 2022, cc. 78, 79; 2024, cc. 105, 159.

Repealed by Acts 2020, cc. 1113 and 1114, as amended by Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 82, effective January 1, 2022.

A. (For contingent expiration date, see Acts 2020, cc. 1113, 1114, cl. 4) The annual fees on state licenses shall be as follows:

1. Manufacturer licenses. For each:

a. Distiller's license and limited distiller's license, if not more than 5,000 gallons of alcohol or spirits, or both, manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $490; if more than 5,000 gallons but not more than 36,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $2,725; and if more than 36,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $4,060;

b. Brewery license and limited brewery license, if not more than 500 barrels of beer manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $380; if not more than 10,000 barrels of beer manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $2,350; and if more than 10,000 barrels manufactured during such year, $4,690;

c. Winery license, if not more than 5,000 gallons of wine manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $215, and if more than 5,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $4,210;

d. Farm winery license, $275 for any Class I or Class II license, $500 for any Class III license, and $4,000 for any Class IV license;

e. Wine importer's license, $460; and

f. Beer importer's license, $460.

2. Wholesale licenses. For each:

a. (1) Wholesale beer license, $1,005 for any wholesaler who sells 300,000 cases of beer a year or less, $1,545 for any wholesaler who sells more than 300,000 but not more than 600,000 cases of beer a year, and $2,010 for any wholesaler who sells more than 600,000 cases of beer a year; and

(2) Wholesale beer license, including a license granted pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 4.1-206.2, applicable to two or more premises, the annual state license tax shall be the amount set forth in subdivision a (1), multiplied by the number of separate locations covered by the license;

b. (1) Wholesale wine license, $240 for any wholesaler who sells 30,000 gallons of wine or less per year, $1,200 for any wholesaler who sells more than 30,000 gallons per year but not more than 150,000 gallons of wine per year, $1,845 for any wholesaler who sells more than 150,000 but not more than 300,000 gallons of wine per year, and $2,400 for any wholesaler who sells more than 300,000 gallons of wine per year; and

(2) Wholesale wine license, including a license granted pursuant to subdivision 4 of § 4.1-206.2, applicable to two or more premises, the annual state license tax shall be the amount set forth in subdivision b (1), multiplied by the number of separate locations covered by the license.

3. Retail licenses — mixed beverage. For each:

a. Mixed beverage restaurant license, granted to persons operating restaurants, including restaurants located on premises of and operated by casinos, hotels or motels, or other persons:

(1) With a seating capacity at tables for up to 100 persons, $1,050;

(2) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 100 but not more than 150 persons, $1,495;

(3) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 150 persons but not more than 500 persons, $1,980;

(4) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 500 persons but not more than 1,000 persons, $2,500; and

(5) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 1,000 persons, $3,100;

b. Mixed beverage restaurant license for restaurants located on the premises of and operated by private, nonprofit clubs:

(1) With an average yearly membership of not more than 200 resident members, $1,250;

(2) With an average yearly membership of more than 200 but not more than 500 resident members, $2,440; and

(3) With an average yearly membership of more than 500 resident members, $3,410;

c. Mixed beverage casino license, $3,100 plus an additional $5 for each gaming station located on the premises of the casino gaming establishment. For the purposes of this subdivision, "gaming station" means each slot machine and each casino gaming table that is in active use, as determined annually on December 31;

d. Mixed beverage caterer's license, $1,990;

e. Mixed beverage limited caterer's license, $550;

f. Mixed beverage carrier license:

(1) $520 for each of the average number of dining cars, buffet cars, or club cars operated daily in the Commonwealth by a common carrier of passengers by train;

(2) $910 for each common carrier of passengers by boat;

(3) $520 for each common carrier of passengers by bus; and

(4) $2,360 for each license granted to a common carrier of passengers by airplane;

g. Annual mixed beverage sports facility license, $630;

h. Limited mixed beverage restaurant license:

(1) With a seating capacity at tables for up to 100 persons, $945;

(2) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 100 but not more than 150 persons, $1,385; and

(3) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 150 persons, $1,875;

i. Annual mixed beverage performing arts facility license, $630;

j. Bed and breakfast license, $100;

k. Museum license, $260;

l. Commercial lifestyle center license, $300;

m. Mixed beverage port restaurant license, $1,050; and

n. Annual mixed beverage special events license, $630.

4. Retail licenses — on-and-off-premises wine and beer. For each on-and-off premises wine and beer license, $450.

5. Retail licenses — off-premises wine and beer. For each:

a. Retail off-premises wine and beer license, $300;

b. Gourmet brewing shop license, $320; and

c. Confectionery license, $170.

6. Retail licenses — banquet, special event, and tasting licenses.

a. Per-day event licenses. For each:

(1) Banquet license, $40 per license granted by the Board, except for banquet licenses granted by the Board pursuant to subsection A of § 4.1-215, which shall be $100 per license;

(2) Mixed beverage special events license, $45 for each day of each event;

(3) Mixed beverage club events license, $35 for each day of each event; and

(4) Tasting license, $40.

b. Annual licenses. For each:

(1) Annual banquet license, $300;

(2) Banquet facility license, $260;

(3) Designated outdoor refreshment area license, $300. However, for any designated outdoor refreshment area license issued pursuant to a local ordinance, the annual fee shall be $3,000;

(4) Annual mixed beverage banquet license, $630;

(5) Equine sporting event license, $300; and

(6) Annual arts venue event license, $300.

7. Retail licenses — marketplace. For each marketplace license, $1,000. However, if the license privileges are exercised during a period of six or less consecutive months and such period is specified prior to the beginning of the license year, the annual fee shall be $500.

8. Retail licenses — shipper, bottler, and related licenses. For each:

a. Wine and beer shipper's license, $230;

b. Internet wine and beer retailer license, $240;

c. Bottler license, $1,500;

d. Fulfillment warehouse license, $210;

e. Marketing portal license, $285; and

f. Third-party delivery license, $7,500, unless the licensee provides written certification to the Board that the licensee has no more than 25 delivery personnel, including employees, agents, and independent contractors that engage in direct-to-consumer alcoholic beverage delivery, in which case the license fee shall be $2,500.

9. Temporary licenses. For each temporary license authorized by § 4.1-211, one-half of the tax imposed by this section on the license for which the applicant applied.

B. The tax on each license granted or reissued for a period other than 12, 24, or 36 months shall be equal to one-twelfth of the taxes required by subsection A computed to the nearest cent, multiplied by the number of months in the license period, and then increased by five percent. Such tax shall not be refundable, except as provided in § 4.1-232.

C. Nothing in this chapter shall exempt any licensee from any state merchants' license or state restaurant license or any other state tax. Every licensee, in addition to the taxes imposed by this chapter, shall be liable to state merchants' license taxation and state restaurant license taxation and other state taxation the same as if the alcoholic beverages were nonalcoholic. In ascertaining the liability of a beer wholesaler to merchants' license taxation, however, and in computing the wholesale merchants' license tax on a beer wholesaler, the first $163,800 of beer purchases shall be disregarded; and in ascertaining the liability of a wholesale wine distributor to merchants' license taxation, and in computing the wholesale merchants' license tax on a wholesale wine distributor, the first $163,800 of wine purchases shall be disregarded.

D. In addition to the taxes set forth in this section, a fee of $5 may be imposed on any license purchased in person from the Board if such license is available for purchase online.

2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 390, 391; 2022, cc. 78, 79, 589, 590; 2023, cc. 551, 597, 731; 2024, cc. 111, 255, 619, 622, 627.

A. (For contingent expiration date, see Acts 2020, cc. 1113, 1114, cl. 4) The annual fees on state licenses shall be as follows:

1. Manufacturer licenses. For each:

a. Distiller's license and limited distiller's license, if not more than 5,000 gallons of alcohol or spirits, or both, manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $490; if more than 5,000 gallons but not more than 36,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $2,725; and if more than 36,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $4,060;

b. Brewery license and limited brewery license, if not more than 500 barrels of beer manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $380; if not more than 10,000 barrels of beer manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $2,350; and if more than 10,000 barrels manufactured during such year, $4,690;

c. Winery license, if not more than 5,000 gallons of wine manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $215, and if more than 5,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $4,210;

d. Farm winery license, $275 for any Class I or Class II license, $500 for any Class III license, and $4,000 for any Class IV license;

e. Wine importer's license, $460; and

f. Beer importer's license, $460.

2. Wholesale licenses. For each:

a. (1) Wholesale beer license, $1,005 for any wholesaler who sells 300,000 cases of beer a year or less, $1,545 for any wholesaler who sells more than 300,000 but not more than 600,000 cases of beer a year, and $2,010 for any wholesaler who sells more than 600,000 cases of beer a year; and

(2) Wholesale beer license, including a license granted pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 4.1-206.2, applicable to two or more premises, the annual state license tax shall be the amount set forth in subdivision a (1), multiplied by the number of separate locations covered by the license;

b. (1) Wholesale wine license, $240 for any wholesaler who sells 30,000 gallons of wine or less per year, $1,200 for any wholesaler who sells more than 30,000 gallons per year but not more than 150,000 gallons of wine per year, $1,845 for any wholesaler who sells more than 150,000 but not more than 300,000 gallons of wine per year, and $2,400 for any wholesaler who sells more than 300,000 gallons of wine per year; and

(2) Wholesale wine license, including a license granted pursuant to subdivision 4 of § 4.1-206.2, applicable to two or more premises, the annual state license tax shall be the amount set forth in subdivision b (1), multiplied by the number of separate locations covered by the license.

3. Retail licenses — mixed beverage. For each:

a. Mixed beverage restaurant license, granted to persons operating restaurants, including restaurants located on premises of and operated by casinos, hotels or motels, or other persons:

(1) With a seating capacity at tables for up to 100 persons, $1,050;

(2) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 100 but not more than 150 persons, $1,495;

(3) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 150 persons but not more than 500 persons, $1,980;

(4) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 500 persons but not more than 1,000 persons, $2,500; and

(5) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 1,000 persons, $3,100;

b. Mixed beverage restaurant license for restaurants located on the premises of and operated by private, nonprofit clubs:

(1) With an average yearly membership of not more than 200 resident members, $1,250;

(2) With an average yearly membership of more than 200 but not more than 500 resident members, $2,440; and

(3) With an average yearly membership of more than 500 resident members, $3,410;

c. Mixed beverage casino license, $3,100 plus an additional $5 for each gaming station located on the premises of the casino gaming establishment. For the purposes of this subdivision, "gaming station" means each slot machine and each casino gaming table that is in active use, as determined annually on December 31;

d. Mixed beverage caterer's license, $1,990;

e. Mixed beverage limited caterer's license, $550;

f. Mixed beverage carrier license:

(1) $520 for each of the average number of dining cars, buffet cars, or club cars operated daily in the Commonwealth by a common carrier of passengers by train;

(2) $910 for each common carrier of passengers by boat;

(3) $520 for each common carrier of passengers by bus; and

(4) $2,360 for each license granted to a common carrier of passengers by airplane;

g. Annual mixed beverage sports facility license, $630;

h. Limited mixed beverage restaurant license:

(1) With a seating capacity at tables for up to 100 persons, $945;

(2) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 100 but not more than 150 persons, $1,385; and

(3) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 150 persons, $1,875;

i. Annual mixed beverage performing arts facility license, $630;

j. Bed and breakfast license, $100;

k. Museum license, $260;

l. Commercial lifestyle center license, $300;

m. Mixed beverage port restaurant license, $1,050; and

n. Annual mixed beverage special events license, $630.

4. Retail licenses — on-and-off-premises wine and beer. For each on-and-off premises wine and beer license, $450.

5. Retail licenses — off-premises wine and beer. For each:

a. Retail off-premises wine and beer license, $300;

b. Gourmet brewing shop license, $320; and

c. Confectionery license, $170.

6. Retail licenses — banquet, special event, and tasting licenses.

a. Per-day event licenses. For each:

(1) Banquet license, $40 per license granted by the Board, except for banquet licenses granted by the Board pursuant to subsection A of § 4.1-215, which shall be $100 per license;

(2) Mixed beverage special events license, $45 for each day of each event;

(3) Mixed beverage club events license, $35 for each day of each event; and

(4) Tasting license, $40.

b. Annual licenses. For each:

(1) Annual banquet license, $300;

(2) Banquet facility license, $260;

(3) Designated outdoor refreshment area license, $300. However, for any designated outdoor refreshment area license issued pursuant to a local ordinance, the annual fee shall be $3,000;

(4) Annual mixed beverage banquet license, $630;

(5) Equine sporting event license, $300; and

(6) Annual arts venue event license, $300.

7. Retail licenses — marketplace. For each marketplace license, $1,000. However, if the license privileges are exercised during a period of six or less consecutive months and such period is specified prior to the beginning of the license year, the annual fee shall be $500.

8. Retail licenses — shipper, bottler, and related licenses. For each:

a. Wine and beer shipper's license, $230;

b. Internet wine and beer retailer license, $240;

c. Bottler license, $1,500;

d. Fulfillment warehouse license, $210; and

e. Marketing portal license, $285.

9. Temporary licenses. For each temporary license authorized by § 4.1-211, one-half of the tax imposed by this section on the license for which the applicant applied.

B. The tax on each license granted or reissued for a period other than 12, 24, or 36 months shall be equal to one-twelfth of the taxes required by subsection A computed to the nearest cent, multiplied by the number of months in the license period, and then increased by five percent. Such tax shall not be refundable, except as provided in § 4.1-232.

C. Nothing in this chapter shall exempt any licensee from any state merchants' license or state restaurant license or any other state tax. Every licensee, in addition to the taxes imposed by this chapter, shall be liable to state merchants' license taxation and state restaurant license taxation and other state taxation the same as if the alcoholic beverages were nonalcoholic. In ascertaining the liability of a beer wholesaler to merchants' license taxation, however, and in computing the wholesale merchants' license tax on a beer wholesaler, the first $163,800 of beer purchases shall be disregarded; and in ascertaining the liability of a wholesale wine distributor to merchants' license taxation, and in computing the wholesale merchants' license tax on a wholesale wine distributor, the first $163,800 of wine purchases shall be disregarded.

D. In addition to the taxes set forth in this section, a fee of $5 may be imposed on any license purchased in person from the Board if such license is available for purchase online.

2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 390, 391; 2022, cc. 78, 79, 589, 590; 2023, cc. 551, 597, 731; 2024, cc. 105, 111, 159, 255, 619, 622, 627.

A. The Board may correct erroneous assessments made by it against any person and make refunds of any amounts collected pursuant to erroneous assessments, or collected as taxes on licenses, which are subsequently refused or application therefor withdrawn, and to allow credit for any license taxes paid by any licensee for any license that is subsequently merged or changed into another license during the same license period. No refund shall be made of any such amount, however, unless made within three years from the date of collection of the same.

B. In any case where a licensee has changed its name or form of organization during a license period without any change being made in its ownership, and because of such change is required to pay an additional license tax for such period, the Board shall refund to such licensee the amount of such tax so paid in excess of the required license tax for such period.

C. The Board shall make refunds, prorated according to a schedule of its prescription, to licensees of state license taxes paid pursuant to subsection A of § 4.1-231.1 if the place of business designated in the license is destroyed by an act of God, including but not limited to fire, earthquake, hurricane, storm, or similar natural disaster or phenomenon.

D. Any amount required to be refunded under this section shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of moneys appropriated to the Board and in the manner prescribed in § 4.1-116.

Code 1950, §§ 4-33, 4-35; 1952, c. 535; 1960, c. 476; 1970, c. 627; 1972, c. 717; 1974, c. 267; 1976, c. 496; 1978, c. 190; 1980, cc. 524, 526; 1982, cc. 66, 527; 1984, cc. 180, 559; 1986, c. 190; 1990, cc. 300, 390, 707; 1991, c. 425; 1992, c. 350; 1993, c. 866; 2011, c. 728; 2015, c. 412; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.

Repealed by Acts 2020, cc. 1113 and 1114, as amended by Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 82, effective January 1, 2022.

A. In addition to the state license taxes, the annual local license taxes that may be collected shall not exceed the following sums:

1. Manufacturer licenses. For each:

a. Distiller's license and limited distiller's license, if more than 5,000 gallons but not more than 36,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $750; if more than 36,000 gallons manufactured during such year, $1,000; and no local license shall be required for any person who manufactures not more than 5,000 gallons of alcohol or spirits, or both, during such license year;

b. Brewery license and limited brewery license, if not more than 500 barrels of beer manufactured during the year in which the license is granted, $250, and if more than 500 barrels manufactured during such year, $1,000;

c. Winery license, $50; and

d. Farm winery license, $50.

2. Wholesale licenses. For each:

a. Wholesale beer license, in a city, $250, and in a county or town, $75; and

b. Wholesale wine license, $50.

3. Retail licenses — mixed beverage. For each:

a. Mixed beverage restaurant license, granted to persons operating restaurants, including restaurants located on premises of and operated by casinos, hotels or motels, or other persons:

(1) With a seating capacity at tables for up to 100 persons, $200;

(2) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 100 but not more than 150 persons, $350;

(3) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 150 persons but not more than 500 persons, $500;

(4) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 500 persons but not more than 1,000 persons, $650; and

(5) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 1,000 persons, $800;

b. Mixed beverage restaurant license for restaurants located on the premises of and operated by private, nonprofit clubs, $350;

c. Mixed beverage casino license, $800 plus an additional $2 for each gaming station located on the premises of the casino gaming establishment. For the purposes of this subdivision, "gaming station" means each slot machine and each casino gaming table that is in active use, as determined annually on December 31;

d. Mixed beverage caterer's license, $500;

e. Mixed beverage limited caterer's license, $100;

f. Annual mixed beverage sports facility license, $300;

g. Limited mixed beverage restaurant license:

(1) With a seating capacity at tables for up to 100 persons, $100;

(2) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 100 but not more than 150 persons, $250; or

(3) With a seating capacity at tables for more than 150 persons, $400;

h. Annual mixed beverage performing arts facility license, $300;

i. Bed and breakfast license, $40;

j. Museum license, $10;

k. Commercial lifestyle center license, $60; and

l. Annual mixed beverage special events license, $300.

4. Retail licenses — on-and-off-premises wine and beer. For each on-and-off premises wine and beer license issued to:

a. Hotels, restaurants, and clubs, in a city, $150, and in a county or town, $37.50;

b. Hospitals, $10;

c. Rural grocery stores, $37.50; and

d. Historic cinema houses, $20.

5. Retail licenses — off-premises wine and beer. For each:

a. Retail off-premises wine and beer license, in a city, $150, and in a county or town, $37.50;

b. Gourmet brewing shop license, $150; and

c. Confectionery license, $20.

6. Retail licenses — banquet, special event, and tasting licenses. For each:

a. Per-day event licenses. For each:

(1) Banquet license, $5 per license granted by the Board, except for banquet licenses granted by the Board pursuant to subsection A of § 4.1-215, which shall be $20 per license;

(2) Mixed beverage special events license, $10 for each day of each event;

(3) Mixed beverage club events license, $10 for each day of each event; and

(4) Tasting license, $10.

b. Annual licenses. For each:

(1) Annual banquet license, $15;

(2) Designated outdoor refreshment area license, $60. However, for any designated outdoor refreshment area license issued pursuant to a local ordinance, the annual tax shall be $600;

(3) Annual mixed beverage banquet license, $75;

(4) Equine sporting event license, $10; and

(5) Annual arts venue event license, $10.

7. Retail licenses — marketplace. For each marketplace license, $200. However, if the license privileges are exercised during a period of six or less consecutive months and such period is specified prior to the beginning of the license year, the annual tax shall be $100.

8. Retail licenses — shipper, bottler, and related licenses. For each:

a. Wine and beer shipper's license, $10; and

b. Bottler license, $500.

B. Common carriers. No local license tax shall be either charged or collected for the privilege of selling alcoholic beverages in (i) passenger trains, boats, buses, or airplanes or (ii) rooms designated by the Board of establishments of air carriers of passengers at airports in the Commonwealth for on-premises consumption only.

C. Merchants' and restaurants' license taxes. The governing body of each county, city, or town in the Commonwealth, in imposing local wholesale merchants' license taxes measured by purchases, local retail merchants' license taxes measured by sales, and local restaurant license taxes measured by sales, may include alcoholic beverages in the base for measuring such local license taxes the same as if the alcoholic beverages were nonalcoholic. No local alcoholic beverage license authorized by this chapter shall exempt any licensee from any local merchants' or local restaurant license tax, but such local merchants' and local restaurant license taxes may be in addition to the local alcoholic beverage license taxes authorized by this chapter.

The governing body of any county, city, or town, in adopting an ordinance under this section, shall provide that in ascertaining the liability of (i) a beer wholesaler to local merchants' license taxation under the ordinance, and in computing the local wholesale merchants' license tax on such beer wholesaler, purchases of beer up to a stated amount shall be disregarded, which stated amount shall be the amount of beer purchases which would be necessary to produce a local wholesale merchants' license tax equal to the local wholesale beer license tax paid by such wholesaler and (ii) a wholesale wine licensee to local merchants' license taxation under the ordinance, and in computing the local wholesale merchants' license tax on such wholesale wine licensee, purchases of wine up to a stated amount shall be disregarded, which stated amount shall be the amount of wine purchases which would be necessary to produce a local wholesale merchants' license tax equal to the local wholesale wine licensee license tax paid by such wholesale wine licensee.

D. Delivery. No county, city, or town shall impose any local alcoholic beverage license tax on any wholesaler for the privilege of delivering alcoholic beverages in the county, city, or town when such wholesaler maintains no place of business in such county, city, or town.

E. Application of county tax within town. Any county license tax imposed under this section shall not apply within the limits of any town located in such county, where such town imposes a town license tax on the same privilege.

2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 82, 390, 391; 2022, cc. 589, 590; 2023, c. 551; 2024, cc. 111, 255, 619, 622, 627.

A. In addition to the taxes imposed pursuant to Chapter 6 (§ 58.1-600 et seq.) of Title 58.1, a tax of 40 cents is levied on each liter of wine sold in the Commonwealth. Additionally, on vermouth and on farm winery wines sold to consumers by the Board the state tax shall be four percent of the price charged.

B. There is levied on other alcoholic beverages sold by the Board a tax of 20 percent of the price charged. This subsection shall also apply to all alcoholic beverages purchased from the Board by any mixed beverage licensee.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) beer, (ii) wine coolers, (iii) sales of wine by manufacturers to wholesale wine licensees for resale to retail licensees, (iv) sales, other than by or through government stores, of alcoholic beverages for manufacturing and industrial purposes, or either, (v) sales, other than by or through government stores, of alcohol for hospital and laboratory purposes, or either, (vi) alcoholic beverages shipped from the Commonwealth to points outside the Commonwealth, for resale outside the Commonwealth, (vii) alcoholic beverages shipped from the Commonwealth to consumers outside the Commonwealth for personal consumption and not for resale, and (viii) sales to any instrumentality of the federal government.

1968, c. 609, § 4-98.20; 1980, c. 624, § 4-22.1; 1981, cc. 381, 407; 1982, cc. 540, 556; 1984, c. 200; 1985, cc. 222, 457; 1986, c. 130; 1993, c. 866; 2011, cc. 238, 299.

A. The Board shall collect the state taxes levied pursuant to §§ 4.1-213 and 4.1-234 as follows:

1. Collection shall be from the purchaser at the time of or prior to sale, except as to sales made to wholesale wine licensees. Wholesale wine licensees shall collect the taxes at the time of or prior to sale to retail licensees, and shall remit such taxes monthly to the Board, along with such reports as may be required by the Board, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Board.

2. In establishing the prices for items sold by it to persons other than wholesale licensees, the Board shall include a reasonable markup. The liter tax or 20 percent tax, as appropriate, shall then be added to the price of each container of alcoholic beverages. The four percent tax on vermouth and farm winery wines and ciders shall then be added for those products. In all cases the final price for each container may be established so as to be a multiple of five or rounded to end with a nine.

In accounting for the state tax on sales the Board shall divide the net sales for the quarter by 1.20 and multiply the result by 20 percent. As to the sale of vermouth and farm winery wine and cider, the Board shall divide the net sales for the quarter by 1.04 and multiply the result by four percent.

B. The amount of tax collected under this section during each quarter shall, within 50 days after the close of such quarter, be certified to the Comptroller by the Board and shall be transferred by him from the special fund described in § 4.1-116 to the general fund of the state treasury. The Board shall, not later than June 20 of every year, estimate the yield of the state tax on sales imposed by §§ 4.1-213 and 4.1-234 for the quarter ending June 30 and certify the amount of such estimate to the Comptroller, whereupon the Comptroller shall, before the end of the month, transfer the amount of such estimate from the special fund described in § 4.1-116 to the general fund of the state treasury, subject to such adjustment on account of an overestimate or underestimate as may be indicated within 50 days after the close of the quarter ending on June 30.

Forty-four percent of the amount derived from the liter tax levied pursuant to §§ 4.1-213 and 4.1-234 shall be transferred to the general fund and paid to the several counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth in proportion to their respective populations, and is appropriated for such purpose.

The counties, cities, and towns shall in no event receive from the taxes derived from the sale of wines less revenue than was received by such counties, cities, and towns for the year ending June 30, 1976.

The portion of wine liter tax and cider markup collected pursuant to §§ 4.1-213 and 4.1-234 that is attributable to the sale of wine and cider produced by a farm winery shall be deposited in the Virginia Wine Promotion Fund established pursuant to § 3.2-3005.

Twelve percent of the amount derived from the liter tax levied shall be retained by the Board as operating revenue and distributed as provided in § 4.1-117.

Twenty percent of the portion of tax collected pursuant to subsection B of § 4.1-234 that is attributable to the sale of spirits produced by a distiller licensee shall be deposited in the Virginia Spirits Promotion Fund established pursuant to § 3.2-3012.

C. As used in this section, the term "net sales" means gross sales less refunds to customers.

D. The Board may make a refund or adjustment of any tax paid to it under this section when (i) the wine upon which such tax has been paid has been condemned and is not permitted to be sold in the Commonwealth, or (ii) wine is returned by a retail licensee to a wholesale wine licensee for refund in accordance with Board regulations or approval. Any claim for such refund or adjustment shall be made to the Board in the report filed with the Board by the wholesale wine licensee for the period in which such return and refund occurs.

1980, c. 624, § 4-22.1; 1981, c. 407; 1982, cc. 540, 556; 1984, c. 200; 1985, cc. 222, 457; 1986, c. 130; 1993, c. 866; 2010, cc. 247, 362; 2015, cc. 4, 21; 2016, cc. 24, 140; 2022, cc. 84, 85.

A. There is levied on all beer and wine coolers sold in the Commonwealth an excise tax at the rate of:

1. Twenty-five and sixty-five hundredths cents per gallon per barrel;

2. Two cents per bottle on bottles of not more than seven ounces each;

3. Two and sixty-five hundredths cents per bottle on bottles of more than seven ounces each but not more than twelve ounces each; and

4. Two and twenty-two one hundredths mills per ounce per bottle on bottles of more than twelve ounces each.

B. The tax herein levied shall be paid by the manufacturer, bottler or wholesaler selling beer or wine coolers to licensed retailers.

C. Any person selling or offering for sale in the Commonwealth any beer or wine coolers purchased or obtained from any person not licensed either as a manufacturer, bottler or wholesaler under this chapter, and on which the excise tax levied has not been paid, shall pay the tax.

D. This section shall not apply to any manufacturer, bottler or wholesaler of any beer or wine coolers, which are:

1. Shipped out of the Commonwealth by such manufacturer, bottler or wholesaler for resale outside of the Commonwealth;

2. Sold to the United States or to any instrumentality thereof for resale to or for the use or consumption by members of the armed forces of the United States;

3. Sold to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for resale to veterans of the armed services of the United States who are hospitalized or domiciled in hospitals and homes of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs within the geographical confines of the Commonwealth;

4. Shipped to a post exchange of the armed forces of the United States for resale by such post exchange, whether such post exchange is located on a United States military reservation or not;

5. Shipped to any instrumentality of the United States which is exempt on constitutional grounds from the excise tax levied by this section; or

6. Sold and delivered to foreign boats or aircraft actually engaged in foreign commerce or commerce between any ports of the United States or commerce between the United States and any of its possessions outside of the several states and the District of Columbia.

The exceptions allowed in subdivisions 1, 4, and 5 of this subsection shall be applicable only if, in each case, evidence satisfactory to the Board is submitted in writing that such beer or wine coolers were so shipped.

1988, c. 261, §§ 4-128, 4-129, 4-130; 1993, c. 866.

A. Whenever it is proved to the satisfaction of the Board that the tax levied pursuant to § 4.1-236 has been paid and that beer or wine coolers were or are (i) damaged, destroyed or otherwise deemed to be unsalable by reason of fire or any other providential cause before sale to the consumer, (ii) destroyed voluntarily because the beer or wine coolers were defective and after notice to and approval by the Board of such destruction or (iii) destroyed in any manner while in possession of a common, private or contract carrier, the Board shall certify such facts to the Comptroller for approval of a refund payment from the state treasury to such extent as may be proper. The manufacturer, bottler or wholesaler shall make a report thereof to the Board as a portion of the report required by § 4.1-239.

B. Whenever it is proved to the satisfaction of the Board that any person has purchased beer or wine coolers which have been sold by him in such manner as to be exempt from the excise tax levied under § 4.1-236, the Board shall certify such facts to the Comptroller for approval of a refund payment from the state treasury to such extent as may be proper.

1988, c. 261, §§ 4-141, 4-142; 1993, c. 866.

A. Every manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler, as a condition precedent to obtaining a license to sell beer or wine coolers to a licensed retailer, shall file a bond with the Board in such sum and with such surety as the Board deems adequate to cover the tax liability of each such manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler. The sum of such bond shall be proportioned to the volume of business of each such manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler, but shall in no event be less than $1,000 or more than $100,000. Such bond shall be conditioned upon the payment by such manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler of the tax imposed by § 4.1-236.

B. Every holder of a bonded warehouse permit, issued in accordance with subdivision 13 of § 4.1-212, as a condition to obtaining the permit, shall file a bond with the Board in such sum and with such surety as the Board deems adequate to cover the tax liability of each such permittee. The sum of such bond shall be proportioned to the volume of business of each such manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler, but shall in no event be less than $1,000 or more than $10,000. Such bond shall be conditioned upon the payment by the permittee of the tax imposed by § 4.1-234.

C. The Board may waive the requirement of both the surety and the bond, in cases where a manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler has previously demonstrated his financial responsibility.

D. Upon the termination of the bond, its guaranty or surety, the Board, upon reasonable notice to the manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler so licensed, may suspend the license so granted until such times as the required bond is filed or the proper surety or guaranty is given.

1988, c. 261, § 4-138; 1993, c. 866; 2003, c. 564; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.

A. On or before the tenth day of each month, each manufacturer, bottler, wholesaler or other person selling beer or wine coolers in the Commonwealth who is chargeable with the payment of excise taxes imposed by § 4.1-236 shall file a report under oath with the Board, on forms prescribed by the Board, showing the quantity of all beer and wine coolers manufactured, bottled or sold by such person during the preceding calendar months. Such report shall also contain any other information the Board may require. Common carriers of passengers by train or boat licensed to sell beer or wine coolers in dining cars, buffet cars, club cars or on such boats shall have thirty days from the end of each calendar month to file such reports. At the time of filing, such person shall pay the Board all excise taxes chargeable against him under the provisions of § 4.1-236, unless the taxes have been previously paid.

B. In addition to the requirements of subsection A, on or before the fifteenth day of each month each nonresident manufacturer shall forward a copy of each invoice required by Board regulation or a listing of all such invoices for the preceding month to the Board as a condition of shipment into or doing business in the Commonwealth.

C. Any person filing the report required by this section and paying such excise tax required by subsection B of § 4.1-236 shall be allowed a commission of one percent of the amount of tax due as compensation for the expense of maintaining records and preparing reports so as to account for and remit the tax levied by § 4.1-236. Such commission shall also be allowed as compensation for the expense, if any, of compliance with the requirements of § 4.1-238. Such commission shall be accounted for in the form of a deduction from the amount of tax which would otherwise be due.

1988, c. 261, §§ 4-131, 4-132, 4-133; 1993, c. 866.

A. The Board may accept payment by any commercially acceptable means, including checks, credit cards, debit cards, and electronic funds transfers, for the taxes, penalties, or other fees imposed on a licensee in accordance with this subtitle. In addition, the Board may assess a service charge for the use of a credit or debit card. The service charge shall not exceed the amount negotiated and agreed to in a contract with the Department.

B. Upon the request of a license applicant or licensee, the Board may collect and maintain a record of the applicant's or licensee's credit card, debit card, or automated clearinghouse transfer information and use such information for future payments of taxes, penalties, other fees, or amounts due for products purchased from the Board. The Board may assess a service charge as provided in subsection A for any payments made under this subsection. The Board may procure the services of a third-party vendor for the secure storage of information collected pursuant to this subsection.

2000, c. 801; 2015, c. 412.