Who typically pays the State Excise Tax?

The State Excise Tax is typically paid by wholesalers. This tax is levied on the production, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages and is a significant component of the overall cost structure for these products. Wholesalers, acting as intermediaries between producers (like breweries) and retailers, are responsible for paying this tax to the state government.

While brewers produce the beer and retailers sell it to consumers, the tax is assessed at the wholesale level. It’s important to note that while wholesalers pay the tax, they can pass on the cost to retailers and ultimately, consumers, which is why there might be confusion regarding who "actually pays" the tax. However, the tax obligation lies with the wholesalers, making them the entity responsible for remitting this tax to the state.