The state of Texas imposes two taxes on alcoholic beverages that impact holders of certain permits under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. These taxes are the mixed beverage gross receipts tax and the mixed beverage sales tax. Both are set forth in Texas Tax Code, Chapter 183 (“Chapter 183”) and Texas Comptroller Rule 3.1001 (“Rule 3.1001”).[1]

Who’s Subject to Mixed Beverage Taxes?

The folks who get hit with mixed beverage taxes (other than consumers) are what are called “permittees.” [2] Chapter 183 defines a “permittee” is defined as someone who holds one of the following permits under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code:

-a mixed beverage permit;
-a private club registration permit;
-a private club exemption certificate;
-a private club registration permit with a retailer late hours certificate;
-a nonprofit entity temporary event permit;
-a private club registration permittee holding a food and beverage certificate;
-a mixed beverage permit with a retailer late hours certificate;
-a mixed beverage permit with a food and beverage certificate; or
-a distiller’s and rectifier’s permit.[3]

What’s a Mixed Beverage?
Chapter 183 defines a “mixed beverage” as “a beverage composed in whole or part of an alcoholic beverage in a sealed or unsealed container of any legal size for consumption on the premises when served or sold by the holder of a mixed beverage permit, the holder of certain nonprofit entity temporary event permits, the holder of a private club registration permit, or the holder of certain retailer late hours certificates.”[4]

Read More