Just ordered a keg of beer for a summer party we have each year. And I was told that there is a new MA fee/tax on kegs starting on June 1st of $15 per keg. Anyone know anything about this? Seemed like it was news to the liquor store guy also. Thanks.
Have not heard anything about a "state fee" but I know a couple of distributors are going to $50 deposits on kegs rather than $30
Having the roads paid for by the people who use them isn't egregious. Drivers in this country get billions in handouts and still complain. The fact that no one has heard of this keg tax makes me think it is not real.
Sounds bogus. You sure it's not something to do with the refundable deposit and registration? I believe the current minimums are $5 for kegs under 6 gal and $20 for kegs over 6 gal. What town is the store in--maybe it's some local fee?
Does the brewery or the distributor set the deposit fee? Perhaps it's a bit of both. Most craft beer kegs have $50 deposits, only bigger breweries that I know of have $30 like Sam Adams. Some breweries I've seen require $100 for deposits. New Hampshire I believe sets the deposit fee to $50, up from $30 a few years back. The brewery owns the keg not the distributor so its the brewery that's out of money if its not returned.
My understanding is that MA and Federal beer excise taxes are based upon volume, without regard to container. I cant find anything suggesting any recent changes.
Just heard from the liquor store. Seems there are some higher deposit fees and there was a miscommunication on some new details. TL; DR - It was a mix up, there isn’t a new fee in MA. Sorry for the alarm.
