(a) General. The tax on wine is determined at the time of removal from a bonded wine premises for consumption or sale. Section 5041 of 26 U.S.C., imposes an excise tax, at the rates prescribed, on all wine (including imitation, substandard, or artificial wine, and compounds sold as wine, which contain 24 percent or less of alcohol by volume) produced in or imported into the United States. Wine containing more than 24 percent of alcohol by volume is classified as distilled spirits and taxed accordingly. A wine product containing less than one-half of one percent alcohol by volume is not taxable as wine when removed from the bonded wine premises.

(b) Tax determined and paid on the volume of wine. The tax is determined and paid on the volume of wine:

(1) In bottles or other containers filled according to United States measure recorded to the nearest 10th gallon; or,

(2) In bottles or other containers filled according to metric measure, on the volume of wine in United States wine gallons to the nearest 10th gallon; or

(3) In the case of pipeline removals, on the volume of bulk wine removed recorded to the nearest whole gallon, five-tenths gallon being converted to the next full gallon.

(c) Tax rates imposed on wine. The following taxes are imposed on wine:

(1) Tax class 5041(b)(1). On still wines containing not more than 14 percent alcohol by volume, $1.07, per wine gallon;

(2) Tax class 5041(b)(2). On still wines containing more than 14 percent and not exceeding 21 percent alcohol by volume, $1.57 per wine gallon;

(3) Tax class 5041(b)(3). On still wines containing more than 21 percent and not exceeding 24 percent alcohol by volume, $3.15 per wine gallon;

(4) Tax class 5041(b)(4). On champagne and other sparkling wines, $3.40 per wine gallon;

(5) Tax class 5041(b)(5). On artificially carbonated wines, $3.30 per wine gallon; and

(6) Tax class 5041(b)(6). On hard cider, 22.6 cents per wine gallon. See § 24.331 for the definition of hard cider for purposes of determining eligibility for the hard cider tax class.

(d) Small domestic producer tax credit. For eligibility for the small producer tax credit, see §§ 24.278 and 24.279.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1331, and Sec. 335, Pub. L. 114-113, 129 Stat. 3109, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5041)) [T.D. TTB-147, 82 FR 7664, Jan. 23, 2017]

(a) General. This section governs payment of tax on a deferred basis. The tax on wine is paid by an Excise Tax Return, TTB F 5000.24, which is filled with a remittance (check, cash, or money order) of the full amount of tax due. Prepayments of tax on wine during the period covered by the return are shown separately on the Excise Tax Return form. If no tax is due for the return period, the filing of a return is not required.

(b) Return periods and due dates—(1) Return periods. (i) Semimonthly return period. Except in the case of a taxpayer who qualifies for, and chooses to use, an annual or quarterly return period as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) or (b)(1)(iii) of this section, all taxpayers who defer payment of taxes must use semimonthly return periods. The semimonthly return periods run from the 1st day through the 15th day of each month, and from the 16th day through the last day of each month, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of this section.

(ii) Annual return period. Subject to paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section, a taxpayer may choose to use an annual return period if the taxpayer was not liable for more than $1,000 in taxes with respect to wine imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5041 and 7652 in the preceding calendar year and if that taxpayer reasonably expects to be liable for not more than $1,000 in such taxes during the current calendar year. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2), the last day for paying the tax and filing the return will be the 14th day after the last day of the calendar year. However, the taxpayer may not use the annual return period procedure for any portion of the calendar year following the first date on which the aggregate amount of tax due from the taxpayer during the calendar year exceeds $1,000, and any tax that has not been paid on that date will be due on the 14th day after the last day of the quarterly or semimonthly period in which that date occurs.

(iii) Quarterly return period. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section and subject to paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section, a taxpayer may choose to use a quarterly return period if the taxpayer was not liable for more than $50,000 in taxes with respect to wine imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5041 and 7652 in the preceding calendar year and if that taxpayer reasonably expects to be liable for not more than $50,000 in such taxes during the current calendar year. In such a case the last day for paying the tax and filing the return will be the 14th day after the last day of the calendar quarter. However, the taxpayer may not use the quarterly return period procedure for any portion of the calendar year following the first date on which the aggregate amount of tax due from the taxpayer during the calendar year exceeds $50,000, and any tax that has not been paid on that date will be due on the 14th day after the last day of the semimonthly period in which that date occurs.

(iv) Additional rules for annual and quarterly return periods. The following additional rules apply to the annual and quarterly return period procedures under this section:

(A) A “taxpayer” is an individual, corporation, partnership, or other entity that is assigned a single Employer Identification Number as defined in 26 CFR 301.7701-12;

(B) “Reasonably expects” means that there is no existing or anticipated circumstance known to the taxpayer (such as an increase in production capacity) that would cause the taxpayer's tax liability to exceed the prescribed limit;

(C) A taxpayer with multiple locations must combine the wine tax liability for all locations to determine eligibility for the return procedures;

(D) A taxpayer who has both domestic operations and import transactions must combine the wine tax liability on the domestic operations and the imports to determine eligibility for the return procedures;

(E) The controlled group rules of 26 U.S.C. 5061(e), which concern treatment of controlled groups as one taxpayer, do not apply for purposes of determining eligibility for the return procedures. However, a taxpayer who is eligible for the return procedures, and who is a member of a controlled group that owes $5 million or more in wine excise taxes per year, is required to pay taxes by electronic fund transfer (EFT). Payments via EFT must be transmitted in accordance with section 5061(e);

(F) A new taxpayer is eligible to use the return procedures the first year of business simply if the taxpayer reasonably expects to be liable for not more than $1,000 (in the case of the annual return procedure) or $50,000 (in the case of the quarterly return procedure) in wine taxes during that calendar year; and

(G) If a taxpayer becomes ineligible to use a return procedure described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) or (iii) of this section because the taxpayer's liability exceeds $1,000 or $50,000, respectively, in tax liability during a taxable year, that taxpayer may resume using that return procedure only after a full calendar year has passed during which the taxpayer's liability did not exceed $1,000 or $50,000 as the case may be. A taxpayer may not use an annual or quarterly return procedure during any calendar year in which the taxpayer reasonably expects to be liable for more than $1,000, in the case of the annual return procedure, or $50,000, in the case of the quarterly return procedure, in wine taxes.

(2) Semimonthly, quarterly, and annual tax return due dates. (i) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(ii), the taxpayer must file the semimonthly, quarterly, or annual return, with remittance, for each return period not later than the 14th day after the last day of the return period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.

(ii) Due dates for 2016 annual returns. In the case of a taxpayer filing an annual return covering the 2016 calendar year, the taxpayer must file the return, with remittance, not later than January 30, 2017.

(c) Special September rule for taxes due by semimonthly return. (1) Division of second semimonthly period. (i) General. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the second semimonthly period for the month of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 26th day, and from the 27th day through the 30th day. The proprietor shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 16-26, no later than September 29. The proprietor shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 27-30, no later than October 14.

(ii) Taxpayment not by electronic fund transfer. In the case of taxes for which remittance by electronic fund transfer (EFT) is not required by § 24.272, the second semimonthly period of September is divided into two payment periods, from the 16th day through the 25th day, and from the 26th day through the 30th day. The proprietor shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 16-25, no later than September 28. The proprietor shall file a return on TTB F 5000.24, and make remittance, for the period September 26-30, no later than October 14.

(2) Amount of payment—Safe harbor rule. (i) General. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 29 is not less than 11/15ths (73.3 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14.

(ii) Taxpayment not by EFT. Taxpayers are considered to have met the requirements of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section if the amount paid no later than September 28 is not less than 2/3rds (66.7 percent) of the tax liability incurred for the semimonthly period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 15, and if any underpayment of tax is paid by October 14.

(3) Weekends and holidays. If the required taxpayment due date for the period September 16-25 or September 16-26, as applicable, falls on a Saturday or legal holiday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately preceding day. If the required due date falls on a Sunday, the return and remittance are due on the immediately following day.

(4) Example: Payment of tax for the month of September. (i) Facts. X, a proprietor required to pay taxes by electronic fund transfer, incurred tax liability in the amount of $30,000 for the first semimonthly period of September. For the period September 16-26, X incurred tax liability in the amount of $45,000, and for the period September 27-30, X incurred tax liability in the amount of $2,000.

(ii) Payment requirement. X's payment of tax in the amount of $30,000 for the first semimonthly period of September is due no later than September 29 (§ 24.271(b)). X's payment of tax for the period September 16-26 is also due no later than September 29 (§ 24.271(c)(1)(i)). X may use the safe harbor rule to determine the amount of payment due for the period of September 16-26 (§ 24.271(c)(2)). Under the safe harbor rule, X's payment of tax must not be less than $21,990.00, that is, 11/15ths of the tax liability incurred during the first semimonthly period of September. Additionally, X must pay the tax in the amount of $2,000 for the period September 27-30 no later than October 14 (§ 24.271(c)(1)(i)). X must also pay the underpayment of tax, $23,010.00, for the period September 16-26, no later than October 14 (§ 24.271(c)(2)).

[T.D. TTB-89, 76 FR 3509, Jan. 20, 2011, as amended by T.D. TTB-94, Aug. 24, 2011; T.D. TTB-146, 82 FR 1125, Jan. 4, 2017]

(a) General. (1) During a calendar year any proprietor who is liable for a gross amount of wine excise tax equal to or exceeding $5 million combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and parts 26 and 27 of this chapter, shall during the succeeding calendar year use a financial institution in making payment by electronic fund transfer (EFT) of wine taxes for that year. A proprietor who is required by this section to make remittance by EFT may not effect payment of wine taxes by cash, check, or money order as described in § 24.271.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the dollar amount of tax liability is defined as the gross tax liability on all taxable withdrawals and importations (including wines brought into the United States from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands) during the calendar year, without regard to any drawback, credit, or refund, for all premises from which the activities are conducted by the proprietor.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a proprietor includes a controlled group of corporations, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 5061 (e)(3). Also, the rules for a “controlled group of corporations” apply in a similar fashion to groups which include partnerships and/or sole proprietorships. If one entity maintains more than 50 percent control over a group consisting of corporations and one, or more, partnerships and/or sole proprietorships, all of the members of the controlled group are one taxpayer for the purpose of determining who is required to make remittances by EFT.

(4) A proprietor who is required by this section to make remittances by EFT shall, for each bonded wine premises from which wine is withdrawn upon determination of tax, make a separate EFT remittance and file a separate tax return.

(b) Requirements. (1) On or before January 10 of each calendar year, except for a proprietor already remitting the tax by EFT, each proprietor who was liable during the previous calendar year for a gross amount of wine excise tax equal to or exceeding $5 million, combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and parts 26 and 27 of this chapter, shall give written notice to the appropriate TTB officer agreeing to make remittances by EFT.

(2) For each return filed in accordance with this subpart, the proprietor shall direct the proprietor's financial institution to make an electronic fund transfer in the amount of the taxpayment to the Treasury Account as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The request will be made to the financial institution early enough for the transfer of funds to be made to the Treasury Account by no later than the close of business on the last day for filing the return as prescribed in § 24.271. The request will take into account any time limit established by the financial institution.

(3) If the proprietor was liable during the preceding calendar year for less than $5 million in wine excise taxes, combining tax liabilities incurred under this part and parts 26 and 27 of this chapter, the proprietor may choose either to continue remitting the tax as provided in this section or to remit the tax with return as prescribed by § 24.271. Upon filing the first return on which the proprietor chooses to discontinue remittance of the tax by EFT and to begin remittance of the tax with the tax return, the proprietor shall notify the appropriate TTB officer by attaching a written notification to the tax form stating that no wine excise tax is due by EFT because the tax liability during the preceding calendar year was less than $5 million, and that the remittance will be filed with the tax return.

(c) Remittance. (1) The proprietor shall show on the tax return information about remitting the tax for that return by EFT and shall file the return with TTB in accordance with the instructions on the tax form.

(2) Remittances will be considered as made when the taxpayment by electronic fund transfer is received by the Treasury Account. For purposes of this section, a taxpayment by electronic fund transfer will be considered as received by the Treasury Account when it is paid to a Federal Reserve Bank.

(3) When the proprietor directs the financial institution to effect an electronic fund transfer message as required by paragraph (b) (2) of this section, the transfer data record furnished to the proprietor through normal banking procedures will serve as the record of payment, and will be retained as part of the required records.

(d) Failure to make a taxpayment by EFT. The proprietor is subject to a penalty imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5684, 6651, and 6656, as applicable, for failure to make a taxpayment by EFT on or before the close of business on the prescribed last day for filing.

(e) Procedure. Upon the notification required under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the appropriate TTB officer will issue to the proprietor a TTB Procedure entitled, Payment of Tax by Electronic Fund Transfer. This publication outlines the procedure a proprietor follows when preparing returns and EFT remittances in accordance with this subpart. The United States Customs Service will provide the proprietor with instructions for preparing EFT remittances for payments to be made to the United States Customs Service for payment of excise tax on imported wine.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1335, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5061)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0467 and 1512-0492) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-409, 64 FR 13683, 13685, Mar. 22, 1999; T.D. ATF-459, 66 FR 38550, July 25, 2001; T.D. ATF-479, 67 FR 30798, May 8, 2002; T.D. TTB-91, 76 FR 5478, Feb. 1, 2011]

Penalties for failure to pay tax at the time required, for willful refusal to pay the tax and for fraudulent nonpayment of tax are provided for in 26 U.S.C. 5661 and 6656. In addition to these penalties, there is a penalty for the delinquent filing of a tax return, imposed as an addition to the tax shown on the return, amounting to five percent for each month or fraction thereof of the delinquency, not exceeding 25 percent in the aggregate, unless it is shown that the delinquency is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1407, as amended, 1410, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5661, 5684, 6651, 6656))

(a) General—(1) Circumstances where prepayment required. The proprietor must, before removal of wine for consumption or sale, file Excise Tax Return, TTB F 5000.24, with remittance, where:

(i) The proprietor is required to prepay tax under § 24.276; or

(ii) The proprietor is required to obtain a tax deferral bond, the bond is not in the maximum penal sum, and the tax determined and unpaid at any one time exceeds the coverage of the wine bond.

(2) Forwarding the return with remittance. The proprietor must forward the return with remittance pursuant to the instructions printed on the return. For the purpose of complying with this section, the term “forwarding” means the deposit in the United States mail properly addressed to TTB.

(b) Electronic fund transfer. When the proprietor is required by § 24.272 to deliver payment of tax by electronic fund transfer, the proprietor shall prepay the tax before any wine can be removed for consumption or sale by:

(1) Completing the Excise Tax Return and by mailing it, as instructed on the form, to TTB and

(2) Directing the proprietor's financial institution to effect an electronic fund transfer.

(August 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 775, as amended, 777, as amended, 391, as amended (26 U.S.C. 6301, 6311, 6302)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0467 and 1512-0492) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-338, 58 FR 19064, Apr. 12, 1993; T.D. TTB-146, 82 FR 1126, Jan. 4, 2017]

When the proprietor fails to forward a payment for wine excise tax due by presentment of a check or money order, or when the proprietor is otherwise in default of payment of the tax, no wine may be removed for consumption or sale until the tax has been paid for the period of the default and until the appropriate TTB officer finds the revenue will not be jeopardized by the late payment of the tax. Any remittance made during the period of the default will be in cash, or will be in the form of a certified, cashier's, or treasurer's check drawn on any financial institution incorporated under the laws of the United States, or under the laws of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States, or in the form of a money order, as provided in 27 CFR 70.61 (payment by check or money order) or in the form of an electronic fund transfer.

(August 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 775, as amended, 777, as amended, 391 as amended (26 U.S.C. 6301, 6311, 6302)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0467 and 1512-0492) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-301, 55 FR 47605, Nov. 14, 1990; T.D. ATF-409, 64 FR 13683, Mar. 22, 1999]

(a) When the proprietor sends the Excise Tax Return, TTB F 5000.24, with or without remittance, by United States mail, the official postmark of the United States Postal Service stamped on the cover of the envelope in which the return was mailed is considered the date of delivery of the tax return and, if accompanied, the date of delivery of the remittance. When the postmark on the cover is illegible, it is the proprietor's responsibility to prove when the postmark was made.

(b) When the proprietor sends the tax return by registered mail or by certified mail, the date of registry or the date of the postmark on the sender's receipt of certified mail, as the case may be, is treated at the date of delivery of the tax return and, if accompanied, the date of delivery of the remittance.

(August 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 775, as amended, 777, as amended, 391, as amended (26 U.S.C. 6301, 6311, 6302)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0467 and 1512-0492)

(a) General. A person who produces not more than 250,000 gallons of wine during the calendar year may take a credit against any tax imposed by Title 26 of the United States Code (other than Chapters 2, 21, and 22), in an amount computed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, on the first 100,000 gallons of wine (other than champagne and other sparkling wine) removed during that year for consumption or sale. This credit applies only to wine that has been produced at a qualified bonded wine premises in the United States. The small domestic wine producer tax credit is available only to eligible proprietors engaged in the business of producing wine. A proprietor who has a basic permit to produce wine but does not produce wine during a calendar year may not take the small producer wine tax credit on wine removed during that calendar year. A proprietor who has obtained a new wine producer basic permit may not take the small producer wine tax credit on wine removed until the proprietor has produced wine. “Production” of wine includes those activities described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

(b) Special rules relating to eligibility for wine credit—(1) Controlled groups. For purposes of this section and § 24.279, the term “person” includes a controlled group of corporations, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 1563(a), except that the phrase “more than 50 percent” must be substituted for the phrase “at least 80 percent” wherever it appears. Also, the rules for a “controlled group of corporations” apply in a similar fashion to groups that include partnerships and/or sole proprietorships. Production and removals of all members of a controlled group are treated as if they were the production and removals of a single taxpayer for the purpose of determining what credit a person may use.

(2) Credit for transferees in bond. A person other than the eligible small producer (hereafter in this paragraph referred to as the “transferee”) may take the credit under paragraph (a) of this section that would be allowed to that producer if the wine removed by the transferee had been removed by the producer on that date, under the following conditions:

(i) Wine produced by any person would be eligible for any credit under this section if removed by that person during the calendar year;

(ii) Wine produced by that person is removed during that calendar year by the transferee to whom that wine was transferred in bond and who is liable for the tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. 5041 with respect to that wine;

(iii) That producer holds title to that wine at the time of its removal and provides to the transferee such information as is necessary to properly determine the transferee's credit under this paragraph; and

(iv) At the time of taxable removal, the producer provides to the transferee, in writing (each retaining a copy with the record of taxpaid removal from bond pursuant to § 24.310), the following information:

(A) The names of the producer and transferee;

(B) The quantity and tax class of the wines to be shipped;

(C) The date of removal from bond for consumption or sale;

(D) A confirmation that the producer is eligible for credit, with the credit rate to which the wines are entitled; and

(E) A confirmation that the subject shipment is within the first 100,000 gallons of eligible wine removed by (or on behalf of) the producer for the calendar year.

(c) Time for determining and allowing credit. The credit referred to in paragraph (a) of this section will be determined at the same time as the tax is determined under 26 U.S.C. 5041(a), and will be allowable at the time any tax described in paragraph (a) of this section is payable. The credit allowable by this section is treated as if it constitutes a reduction in the rate of the tax.

(d) Computation of credit. The credit which may be taken on the first 100,000 gallons of wine (other than champagne and other sparkling wine) removed for consumption or sale by an eligible person during a calendar year is computed as follows:

(1) For persons who produce 150,000 gallons or less of wine during the calendar year, the credit is $0.90 per gallon for wine ($0.056 for hard cider);

(2) For persons who produce more than 150,000 gallons but not more than 250,000 gallons during the calendar year, the credit is reduced by 1 percent for every 1,000 gallons produced in excess of 150,000 gallons. For example, the credit that would be taken by a person who produced 160,500 gallons of wine and hard cider during a calendar year would be reduced by 10 percent, for a net credit against the tax of $0.81 per gallon for wine or $0.0504 for hard cider, as long as the wine or hard cider was among the first 100,000 gallons removed for consumption or sale during the calendar year.

(e) Definitions—(1) Production. For purposes of determining if a person's production of wine is within the 250,000 gallon limit, production includes, in addition to wine produced by fermentation, any increase in the volume of wine due to the winery operations of amelioration, wine spirits addition, sweetening, or production of formula wine. Production of champagne and other sparkling wines is included for purposes of determining whether total production of a winery exceeds 250,000 gallons. Production includes all wine produced at qualified bonded wine premises within the United States and wine produced outside the United States by the same person.

(2) Removals. For purposes of determining if a person's removals are within the 100,000 gallon limit, removals include wine that the person removed from all qualified bonded wine premises within the United States. Wine removed by a transferee in bond under paragraph (b)(2) of this section must be counted against the 100,000 gallon limit of the small producer who owns that wine, and not against the limit of the transferee in bond if the transferee is also a small producer. Champagne and other sparkling wines, which are not eligible for credit, do not count as removals against the 100,000 gallon limit.

(f) Preparation of tax return. A person who is eligible for the credit must show the amount of wine tax before credit on the Excise Tax Return, TTB F 5000.24, and must enter the quantity of wine subject to the credit and the applicable credit rate as the explanation for an adjusting entry in Schedule B of the return for each tax period. Where a person does not use the credit authorized by this section to directly reduce the rate of Federal excise tax on wine, that person must report on TTB F 5000.24 where the credit will be, or has been, applied. Where a transferee in bond takes credit on behalf of one or more small producers, the transferee must show in Schedule B of the return the name of each producer, each producer's credit rate, and the total credit taken on behalf of each producer during the tax return period.

(g) Denial of deduction. Pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 5041(c)(5), any deduction under 26 U.S.C. subtitle A with respect to any tax against which the credit is allowed under paragraph (a) of this section must only be for the amount of the tax as reduced by the credit.

(h) Exception to credit. The appropriate TTB officer will deny any tax credit taken under paragraph (a) of this section where it is determined that the allowance of the credit would benefit a person who would otherwise fail to qualify for the use of the credit.

(26 U.S.C. 5041(c).) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1513-0104) [T.D. TTB-64, 72 FR 65454, Nov. 21, 2007]

(a) Increasing adjustments. Persons who produce more wine than the amount used in computation of the credit, or who lose eligibility by not producing during a calendar year, must make increasing tax adjustments. Where an increasing adjustment to a person's tax return is necessary as a result of an incorrect credit rate claimed pursuant to § 24.278, that person must make the adjustment on the Excise Tax Return, TTB F 5000.24, no later than the return period in which production (or the production of the controlled group of which the person is a member) exceeds the amount used in computation of the credit. If the adjustment is due to failure to produce, the person must make the adjustment no later than the last return period of the calendar year. The adjustment is the difference between the credit taken for prior return periods in that year and the appropriate credit for those return periods. The person must make tax adjustments for all bonded wine premises where excess credits were taken against tax that year, and must include interest payable. In the case of a person who continued to deduct credit after reaching the 100,000 gallon maximum during the calendar year, that person must make an adjustment in the full amount of excess credit taken and must include interest payable under 26 U.S.C. 6601 from the date on which the excess credit was taken. In addition, the person must include the penalty payable under 26 U.S.C. 6662 if the appropriate TTB officer determines that the underpayment was due to negligence or disregard of rules or regulations and advises the person to include the penalty as part of the adjustment. The appropriate TTB officer will provide information, when requested, regarding interest rates applicable to specific time periods and regarding any applicable penalties. In the case of a controlled group of bonded wine premises that took excess credits, all member proprietors who took incorrect credits must make tax adjustments as determined in this section. In the case of a small producer who instructed a transferee in bond to take credit as authorized by § 24.278(b)(2), and subsequently determines that the credit was less or not applicable, that producer must immediately inform the transferee in bond, in writing, of the correct credit information. The transferee must make any increasing adjustment on its next tax return based on revised credit information given by the producer or a TTB officer.

(b) Decreasing adjustments. Where a person fails to deduct the credit or deducts less than the appropriate credit provided for by § 24.278 during the calendar year, the person may file a claim for refund of excess tax paid. The claim must be filed in accordance with § 24.69. In the case of wine removed on behalf of a small producer by a transferee in bond, if the transferee in bond was instructed to deduct credit and failed to deduct credit or deducted less than the appropriate credit and was later reimbursed for the tax by that producer, the transferee may file the claim. The provisions of 26 U.S.C. 6423 and 27 CFR part 70, subpart F, will apply, and the producer and transferee in bond must show that the conditions of § 24.278(b)(2) were met.

(26 U.S.C. 5041(c)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1513-0088) [T.D. TTB-64, 72 FR 65455, Nov. 21, 2007]

Wine may be removed for transfer in bond, from one bonded wine premises to another bonded wine premises or to a distilled spirits plant. For bulk wine transferred in bond between adjacent or contiguous bonded wine premises or to an adjacent or contiguous distilled spirits plant, an accurately calibrated tank for measuring the wine is required on at least one of the premises. The volume of wine transferred will be recorded to the nearest whole gallon, five-tenths gallon being converted to the next full gallon.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5362))

Prior to transferring wine in bond, the proprietor shall prepare a transfer record prescribed by § 24.309. Except for multiple transfers as provided in § 24.282, a transfer record will be prepared for each shipment. On completion of lading (or completion of transfer by pipeline), the proprietor shall retain one copy of the transfer record for the files and forward the original to the consignee (by the close of the next business day).

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5362) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1512-0298) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-312, 56 FR 31082, July 9, 1991]

(a) Truck. The proprietor may use one transfer record for all wine shipped by truck on the same day to other premises. The proprietor shall prepare a shipment or delivery order for each shipment showing date of transfer, name and address of the proprietor and consignee, number of cases or containers, serial numbers of cases (if any) or container identification marks, and quantity shipped in gallons or liters. A copy of the shipping or delivery order will be retained by the proprietor and a copy sent with the shipment. On completion of lading the last truck for the day, the proprietor shall prepare and process a transfer record as provided in § 24.281.

(b) Pipeline. The proprietor may use one transfer record for all wine (including distilling material and vinegar stock) transferred by pipeline to adjacent premises during a month. At the end of the month, the proprietor shall prepare and process a transfer record as provided in § 24.281.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended (26 U.S.C 5362)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1512-0298)

Prior to or on arrival at the premises of a consignee, wine transferred in bond may be reconsigned by the consignor. The proprietor to whom the wine is reconsigned will be liable for the tax on the wine while it is in transit after reconsignment. Notice of cancellation of the shipment will be made to the other proprietors involved by the proprietor who reconsigned the wine. Where reconsignment is to other than the shipping proprietor, a new transfer record prominently marked “Reconsignment” will be prepared and processed as provided by § 24.281.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended (26 U.S.C 5362)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1512-0298) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. TTB-146, 82 FR 1126, Jan. 4, 2017]

When wine is received by transfer in bond, the consignee shall check the shipment against the transfer record and determine by volumetric measure or weight the quantity received. The date received and, if different from the quantity shipped, the quantity received will be recorded on the transfer record. See § 24.267 for provisions applicable to losses in transit. Sealed containers or cases received without apparent loss need not be measured or weighed. The consignee will retain the original of the transfer record and any accompanying documents.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5362)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1512-0298)

(a) General. Still wine or still hard cider may be removed without payment of tax to the production facilities of a distilled spirits plant for use as distilling material. The volume of distilling material may be determined at either the bonded wine premises or the distilled spirits plant.

(b) Special natural wine. Unmarketable special natural wine may be removed to a distilled spirits plant for use as distilling material in the production of wine spirits (but not brandy). Where sugar has been used in the production of special natural wine, the wine may not be removed for use as distilling material if the unfermented sugars therein have been fermented prior to the removal. If wine spirits produced from special natural wine contain any flavor characteristics of the special natural wine, the wine spirits may be used only in the production of a special natural wine.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended, 1382, as amended, 1395, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5362, 5373, 5552)) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. TTB-147, 82 FR 7665, Jan. 23, 2017]

(a) General. Still wine or still hard cider may be removed from bonded wine premises, without payment of tax, for use in the manufacture of vinegar. Where the proprietor is also the proprietor of a vinegar plant located adjacent or contiguous to the bonded wine premises, wine may be removed without payment of tax upon filing a consent of surety extending the terms of the wine bond to cover the removal and use of wine in the manufacture of vinegar. Where the proprietor of a vinegar plant is not the proprietor of an adjacent or contiguous bonded wine premises, the proprietor of the vinegar plant may receive wine, without payment of tax, for use in the manufacture of vinegar by filing a bond under the provisions of § 24.146(c) to cover the removal to and use of wine at the vinegar plant.

(b) Vinegar plant records. Each proprietor of a vinegar plant to which wine is shipped, without payment of tax, for use in the manufacture of vinegar shall keep a record of all wine received and used for the manufacture of vinegar and of all vinegar produced and disposed of. The record will show the following information:

(1) The volume and alcohol content of all wine received, the date of receipt, and the name, registry number, and address of the bonded wine premises from which received;

(2) The volume and alcohol content of all wine used in the manufacture of vinegar, and the date of use;

(3) The volume and grain strength of the vinegar produced, and the date of production. (This volume will be reported on a 100-grain strength basis and will be determined by multiplying the wine gallons of vinegar produced by the grain strength thereof and dividing the result by 100); and

(4) The names and addresses of all persons to whom vinegar is shipped, the volume and grain strength shipped to each, and the date of shipment. (Grain strength is a measure of the acetic acid content of vinegar, expressed as 10 times the grams of acetic acid per 100 mL).

(c) Inspection of vinegar plants. The proprietor of a vinegar plant receiving wine, without payment of tax, for use in the manufacture of vinegar shall make the premises and records available for inspection by appropriate TTB officers during regular business hours.

(August 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 903, as amended (26 U.S.C. 7606); Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5362)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1513-0009 and 1513-0115) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-409, 64 FR 13684, Mar. 22, 1999; T.D. TTB-147, 82 FR 7665, Jan. 23, 2017]

(a) General. Wine may be removed from a bonded wine premises without payment of tax for exportation, for use on vessels and aircraft, for transportation to and deposit in a “Class 6” manufacturing bonded warehouse, for transfer to and deposit in a customs bonded warehouse, and for transfer to and deposit in a foreign-trade zone for exportation or for storage pending exportation. Removals of wine for export will be in accordance with the procedures in part 28 of this chapter.

(b) Return of wine to bonded storage. Wines which have been lawfully withdrawn, without payment of tax, under the provisions of part 28 of this chapter may be returned to bonded wine premises from which withdrawn for storage pending subsequent removal for lawful purposes. On return of wine to bonded wine premises, the proprietor shall record the receipt showing the gallonage of each tax class received and returned to storage on bonded wine premises and shall report the return on the TTB F 5120.17, Report of Bonded Wine Premises Operations for the reporting period with an explanatory notation. All provisions of this part applicable to wine in bond at bonded wine premises and to removals from bond are applicable to returned wine.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5362)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0216 and 1512-0298) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-338, 58 FR 19065, Apr. 12, 1993; T.D. TTB-8, 69 FR 3830, Jan. 27, 2004]

(a) General. Wine may be removed from bonded wine premises, free of tax, for use of the Government of the United States, or any agency thereof, upon receipt of a proper Government order signed by the officer in charge of the department, institution, station, or similar establishment, to which the wine is to be shipped or other officer duly authorized to sign the order. The governmental order will show the kind, quantity and alcohol content of the wine desired; and the purpose for which the wine is to be used. Wine may also be removed for use by the governments of the several states and the District of Columbia, or of any subdivision thereof, or by any agency of the governments, free of tax, from bonded wine premises for analysis, testing, research or experimentation.

(b) Bill of lading and report of shipment. Where wine is shipped by common carrier, the proprietor shall retain a copy of the bill of lading, covering the shipment, with the TTB F 5120.17, Report of Bonded Wine Premises Operations for the reporting period in which the shipment is made. The bill of lading will show the name and address of the agency to which the wine is shipped, identifying marks on containers or cases, and alcohol content of the wine. The governmental order, or a copy of the order, will be filed at the bonded wine premises available for inspection by appropriate TTB officers.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1380, as amended, 1381, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5362, 5367, 7510)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0216 and 1512-0298) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-312, 56 FR 31082, July 9, 1991; T.D. ATF-338, 58 FR 19065, Apr. 12, 1993; T.D. ATF-409, 64 FR 13684, Mar. 22, 1999]

(a) General. Wine on bonded wine premises may be destroyed on or off wine premises by the proprietor without payment of tax. A proprietor who wants to destroy wine on or off wine premises must file with the appropriate TTB officer an application stating the kind, alcohol content, and approximate volume of wine to be destroyed, where the wine is to be destroyed, and the reason for destruction. Wine to be destroyed must be inspected, and the destruction supervised, by an appropriate TTB officer unless the appropriate TTB officer authorizes the proprietor to destroy the wine without inspection and supervision. The wine must not be destroyed until the proprietor has received authority from the appropriate TTB officer.

(b) Record of destruction. The proprietor shall maintain a record of the volume destroyed and include the quantity on the TTB F 5120.17, Report of Bonded Wine Premises Operations. If part of the volume of the material destroyed is not wine, the volume destroyed will be reported on the basis of actual wine content of the material, excluding any dilution by water or other substance.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1381, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5367, 5370)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1512-0216 and 1512-0298) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-338, 58 FR 19065, Apr. 12, 1993; T.D. ATF-409, 64 FR 13686, Mar. 22, 1999]

(a) General. Wine, domestic or imported, which has been taxpaid and removed from bonded wine premises, may be received by the proprietor of a bonded wine premises for return to bond. The proprietor may, when such taxpaid wine is returned to bond, make a claim for refund or credit, without interest. However, tax will not be refunded or credited for any wine for which a claim has been or will be made under 27 CFR part 70, subpart G. If the tax has been determined but not paid, the person liable for the tax may, when such wine is returned to bond, be relieved of the liability. Claims for refund or credit, or relief from tax paid or determined on wine returned to bond, are filed in accordance with § 24.66.

(b) Receipt. The quantity of taxpaid wine returned to bond is determined upon receipt on bonded wine premises. The quantity determined will be entered on the TTB F 5120.17, Report of Bonded Wine Premises Operations for the reporting period during which the wine is returned.

(c) Records. The proprietor shall maintain records covering each lot of taxpaid wine returned to bond in accordance with § 24.312.

(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1332, as amended, 1382, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5044, 5371)) (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control numbers 1513-0053, 1513-0115, and 1513-0030) [T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-312, 56 FR 31082, July 9, 1991; T.D. ATF-338, 58 FR 19065, Apr. 12, 1993; T.D. ATF-344, 58 FR 40354, July 28, 1993; T.D. ATF-376, 61 FR 31030, June 19, 1996; T.D. TTB-130, 80 FR 55248, Sept. 15, 2015]

(a) General. The proprietor may conduct taxpaid wine operations authorized by § 24.102 in an area designated as a taxpaid wine premises at a bonded wine premises or at a taxpaid wine bottling house. Taxpaid foreign wine may be received on the taxpaid wine premises for reconditioning and removal without retaxpayment or for destruction without credit of tax. Any taxpaid wine operations will be separate from all nontaxpaid wine operations and taxpaid wine will be clearly identified as provided in § 24.135. The appropriate TTB officer may require any additional segregation and identification of taxpaid wine operations as deemed necessary to protect the revenue.

(b) Treatment and blending. Taxpaid wine may be treated with sulfur dioxide compounds, refrigeration or pasteurization and may also be preserved, filtered or clarified by the use of methods or materials which will not change the basic character of the wine. Water may not be added to taxpaid wine. The proprietor who desires to treat wine in any manner (other than by simple filtration or the use of sulfur compounds, refrigeration or pasteurization) shall first file with the appropriate TTB officer an application giving the details of the proposed treatment. The proprietor may not use the treatment prior to approval. The proprietor may incur civil or criminal liability for using an unauthorized treatment of untaxpaid wine. Wine of the same kind (class and type), national origin and tax class may only be mixed to facilitate handling at a taxpaid wine bottling house; otherwise, the blending of taxpaid wine on such premises is prohibited. Taxpaid wine of different national origins, but of the same kind and tax class, may only be blended on taxpaid wine premises. (Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85-859, 72 Stat. 1407 (26 U.S.C. 5352, 5661))

[T.D. ATF-299, 55 FR 24989, June 19, 1990, as amended by T.D. ATF-409, 64 FR 13683, Mar. 22, 1999]