Feds Jack Up Popcorn Tax—Kernel of Truth?
Published Date: 6/10/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Popcorn processors, listen up! The fee you pay per hundredweight of popcorn is officially going up from 5 to 6 cents to match what’s been charged since 2001. Plus, if payments are late, there’ll be new interest charges to keep things fair and on time. These changes aim to keep popcorn promotion and research running smoothly without surprises.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Assessment Rate Raised to $0.06/cwt
The rule would raise the mandatory assessment paid by popcorn processors from $0.05 to $0.06 per hundredweight of popcorn. The change formalizes the rate that has been charged since an administrative increase in 2001.
New Late Payment and Interest Charges
The proposal would add a new Subpart C that prescribes late payment and interest charges on past due assessments for the Popcorn Order. If processors do not pay assessments on time, they could incur these additional charges.
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Key Dates
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