Each distributor of alcoholic beverages shall pay a tax to the state on all sales within the state of alcoholic beverages, except sales to licensed distributors, sales of alcoholic beverages which, in the course of such sales, are actually transported to some point without the state and except malt beverages which are consumed on the premises covered by a manufacturer's permit, at the rates for the respective categories of alcoholic beverages listed below:

1. (a) Beer, seven dollars and twenty cents for each barrel, three dollars and sixty cents for each half barrel, one dollar and eighty cents for each quarter barrel and twenty-four cents per wine gallon or fraction thereof on quantities less than a quarter barrel;
2. (b) Liquor, five dollars and forty cents per wine gallon;
3. (c) Still wines containing not more than twenty-one per cent of absolute alcohol, except as provided in subsections (g) and (h) of this section, seventy-two cents per wine gallon;
4. (d) Still wines containing more than twenty-one per cent of absolute alcohol and sparkling wines, one dollar and eighty cents per wine gallon;
5. (e) Alcohol in excess of 100 proof, five dollars and forty cents per proof gallon;
6. (f) Liquor coolers containing not more than seven per cent of alcohol by volume, two dollars and forty-six cents per wine gallon;
7. (g) Still wine containing not more than twenty-one per cent of absolute alcohol, produced by a person who produces not more than fifty-five thousand wine gallons of wine during the calendar year, eighteen cents per wine gallon, provided such person presents to each distributor of alcoholic beverages described in this section a certificate, issued by the commissioner, stating that such person produces not more than fifty-five thousand wine gallons of wine during the calendar year. The commissioner is authorized to issue such certificates, prescribe the procedures for obtaining such certificates and prescribe their form; and
8. (h) Cider containing not more than seven per cent of absolute alcohol shall be subject to the same rate as applies to beer, as provided in subsection (a) of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 4325; 1961, P.A. 604, S. 9; 1969, P.A. 632, S. 1; June, 1971, P.A. 5, S. 117; P.A. 73-287, S. 1, 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-1, S. 5, 15; P.A. 87-574, S. 2, 4; P.A. 89-16, S. 6, 31; P.A. 93-74, S. 33, 67; P.A. 97-243, S. 33, 67; P.A. 11-6, S. 98.)

History: 1961 act increased rates; 1969 act temporarily increased rates for period between July 1, 1969, and June 30, 1971; 1971 act moved closing date for temporary increase to 1973; P.A. 73-287 made increases permanent rates; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-1 provided for an increase of 20% in the amount of tax imposed with respect to each category of alcoholic beverages as listed in this section, effective August 1, 1983, and applicable to sales of alcoholic beverages by distributors on or after that date; P.A. 87-574 added Subdiv. (f) providing for the rate of tax applicable to liquor coolers as defined in Sec. 12-433, effective July 1, 1987, and applicable to sales of liquor coolers on or after that date; P.A. 89-16 provided for increases in the rate of tax applicable to each of the categories of alcoholic beverages, effective March 23, 1989, and applicable to sales of alcoholic beverages on or after April 1, 1989; P.A. 93-74 added Subdiv. (g) re tax rate for wine containing not more than 21% alcohol produced by a person producing not more than 55,000 gallons, effective May 19, 1993, and applicable to sales of alcoholic beverages occurring on and after July 1, 1993; P.A. 97-243 added Subdiv. (h) re cider and made technical changes, effective June 24, 1997, and applicable to sales occurring on or after July 1, 1997; P.A. 11-6 amended Subdiv. (a) by increasing tax from $6.00 to $7.20 on each barrel of beer, from $3.00 to $3.60 on each half barrel, from $1.50 to $1.80 on each quarter barrel and from $.20 to $.24 on quantities less than a quarter barrel, amended Subdiv. (b) by increasing tax on liquor from $4.50 to $5.40 per wine gallon, amended Subdiv. (c) by increasing tax on still wines with not more than 21% of alcohol from $.60 to $.72 per wine gallon, amended Subdiv. (d) by increasing tax on still and sparkling wines from $1.50 to $1.80 per wine gallon, amended Subdiv. (e) by increasing tax on alcohol over 100 proof from $4.50 to $5.40 per proof gallon, amended Subdiv. (f) by increasing tax on liquor coolers from $2.05 to $2.46 per wine gallon, and amended Subdiv. (g) by increasing tax on wine produced in limited quantities from $.15 to $.18 per wine gallon, effective May 4, 2011, and applicable to sales occurring on or after July 1, 2011.