Week of December 21, 2007
Greetings! We, the TTB family, wish each of you a Merry Holiday season and a joy-filled 2008! This week's offerings include a notice of extension on the AVA rulemaking issues, a reminder for wine operations folks, the fall 2007 Treasury semiannual regulatory agenda and plan, and notice of our first 2008 COLAS Online workshop.
In the TTB Newsletter, we compile the top TTB news of the week and other helpful information about the Bureau and the Federal alcohol and tobacco laws and regulations we enforce. Please send any questions and/or comments to Susan Stewart Evans, Executive Liaison for Industry Matters (susan.stewart-evans@ttb.gov) and/or Frosty Chapman, State Liaison (forrest.chapman@ttb.gov). |
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EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIODS ON TWO AVA RULEMAKINGS
In response to industry member requests, we are extending the comment periods for two notices of proposed rulemaking documents published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2007. The first is regarding the proposed establishment of the Calistoga viticultural area, and the second is the proposed revision of American Viticultural Area regulations. Written comments on both notices must now be received on or before March 20, 2008.
Notice No. 77: Proposed establishment of Calistoga AVA (November 20, 2007)
Notice No. 79: Extension to comment period for Calistoga AVA (December 17, 2007)
Notice 78: Proposed revision of AVA Regulations (November 20, 2007)
Notice No. 80: Extension to comment period for revision of AVA regulations (December 17, 2007)
In Notice No. 77 regarding the Calistoga AVA, we propose to allow the continued use of a particular brand name containing the term Calistoga for wine that may not be made from 85 percent grapes sourced from the proposed AVA. We would like to point out that among the specific issues on which we seek public comment in Notice No. 77 is what type of dispelling label information would be sufficient to prevent consumers from being misled as to the origin of the grapes used to produce wines bearing the specific brand name even if the wine would not otherwise be eligible to use the AVA and comments on the appropriate type size and location on the label for such information.
REPORT OF WINE PREMISES OPERATIONS FORM 5120.17 REMINDER
TTB wants to remind all Bonded Wineries and Bonded Wine Cellars that the Report of Wine Premises Operations, Form 5120.17 (formerly Form 702), must be completed and submitted to TTB on a regular basis. The report must be filed either monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending upon the size of your operations.
When are the reports due?
- Annual Report: If you have less than 20,000 gallons of wine on hand at any time AND you also pay less than $1,000 in Federal Excise Tax each year, your Annual Report of Wine Premises Operations Form 5120.17 for 2007 is due on January 15, 2008.
- Quarterly Reports: If you have less than 60,000 gallons of wine on hand at any time AND you also pay less than $50,000 in Federal excise tax each year, your Quarterly Reports of Wine Premises Operations Form 5120.17 are due on April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15 (15 days after the close of each calendar quarter).
- Monthly Reports: If you have more than 60,000 gallons of wine on hand at any time OR pay more than $50,000 in Federal excise tax each year, Report Forms 5120.17 must be submitted by the 15th day after the close of any month in which you conducted reportable operations.
How should the report be completed?
Please see the "Guide to Form 5120.17" on our Web site for a line-by-line explanation and sample of a completed report: http://www.ttb.gov/wine/new_guide.shtml.
Where are the reports filed?
- Pay.Gov: We strongly encourage you to register to submit your Report Forms 5120.17 with TTB's free online filing program, Pay.gov. For more information, please contact the Pay.gov office toll free at (877) 882-3277 or by writing to pay.gov@ttb.gov.
- Mailed reports: All mailed reports should be sent to the TTB National Revenue Center at 550 Main St., Suite 8002, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
For further information, please contact the TTB Wine Tax Unit at (513) 684-7151.
THE FALL 2007 TREASURY SEMIANNUAL REGULATORY AGENDA AND PLAN (UNIFIED AGENDA) IS AVAILABLE
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION