Government to Renew Scrutiny of Secret Wine Formulas
Published Date: 11/2/2025
Notice
Summary
The Treasury Department is asking for public feedback on forms used by wine and alcohol producers to get approval for their special recipes and processes. This helps keep wines safe, properly labeled, and taxed right. Businesses have until December 3, 2025, to share their thoughts before the forms get renewed without changes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 8 costs, 1 mixed.
Wine Tax Drawback Certification
Wine exporters claiming drawback (refund) of excise taxes must provide a producer's or bottler's certification on form TTB F 5120.20 to show wines were produced in the U.S. and taxpaid or tax-determined. TTB estimates 22 respondents, 6,600 annual responses, 30 minutes per response, and 3,300 total annual burden hours. The collection is an extension without change.
Monthly Denaturation Records and Reporting
Distilled spirits plant (DSP) proprietors must keep denaturation records and file a monthly report of denaturing operations on form TTB F 5110.43. TTB estimates 470 respondents, 5,640 annual responses, 1 hour per response, and 5,640 total annual burden hours. This collection is being renewed without change.
Import/Export Notices for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
Persons importing or exporting alcohol from Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands must file letterhead applications, notices, and keep records so TTB can trace shipments and calculate payments due to those treasuries. TTB estimates 20 respondents, 20 annual responses, 9 hours per response, and 180 total annual burden hours. This collection is being renewed without change.
Wine Formula Approval Requirement
If you make special wines, you must get prior approval of your formulas and processes using form TTB F 5120.29. The agency estimates 30 respondents, 150 annual responses, 2 hours per response, and 300 total annual burden hours. This collection is being submitted for renewal without change.
Annual Report for Denatured Spirits Users
Businesses that use or recover specially denatured spirits must file TTB F 5150.18 once annually or when discontinuing business. TTB estimates 650 respondents, 650 annual responses, 18 minutes per response, and 195 total annual burden hours. This is an extension request without change.
Power of Attorney Form Filing
Applicants and principals who delegate authority to sign TTB documents use TTB F 5000.8 to report that delegation. The agency estimates 8,500 respondents, 8,500 annual responses, 25 minutes per response, and 3,542 total annual burden hours. The collection is being renewed without change.
Tax-Free Alcohol Letterhead Applications
Users of tax-free alcohol (for educational, lab, medical, or government use) must submit certain letterhead applications and notices under TTB rules. TTB estimates 300 respondents, 300 annual responses, 30 minutes per response, and 150 total annual burden hours. This collection is an extension without change.
Wholesale Dealer Recordkeeping Variance Requests
Wholesale alcohol dealers who want a different type, format, or retention place for required records can submit letterhead variance requests to TTB for approval. TTB estimates 10 respondents, 10 annual responses, 30 minutes per response, and 5 total annual burden hours. The collection is being renewed without change.
Emergency Variances for Alcohol Export Rules
Alcohol exporters may apply for approval of alternate methods or emergency variances from export rules (excluding bond or tax payment requirements) to meet emergency circumstances. TTB estimates 230 respondents, 6,600 annual responses, 30 minutes per response, and 115 total annual burden hours. This collection is an extension without change.
Comment Deadline and Renewal Without Change
TTB is inviting public comments by December 3, 2025 on multiple information collections; each listed collection is proposed for OMB review as an extension without change. If finalized after review, the forms will be renewed without change following the comment period.
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