Beverage Licensees Support Communities with Over $43 Billion in Taxes Annually

On Tax Day, American Beverage Licensees Highlights Economic Impact of Beverage Retailers

Source: ABL

APRIL 17, 2018

As Americans face today’s “Tax Day” deadline to file their tax returns, American Beverage Licensees (ABL), the national trade association for retail beverage alcohol license holders across the United States, is highlighting the economic impact of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers and the more than $43 billion they pay in federal, state and local taxes.

“In addition to their direct economic impact, America’s bars, taverns and package stores, through their owners and employees, pay more than $25 billion in federal taxes – along with more than $18 billion in state and local taxes that go directly to the communities they serve,” said ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich. “When including the companies and businesses that provide beverage retailers with supplies and materials, these figures increase to more than $64 billion and $43 billion, respectively,” Bodnovich continued.

These Main Street beverage businesses can be found in local communities across the country and play an important role in representing the hospitality industry and promoting responsibility.  Direct retail alcohol sales generate $295 billion in direct economic activity, provide nearly 2 million jobs, and pay more than $100 billion in wages and benefits each year.

ABL looks forward to working with Congress to preserve tax relief measures for pass-through businesses and family-owned beverage businesses that are affected by the estate tax.