TTB Invites Comments to Simplify Booze and Tobacco Paperwork
Published Date: 2/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau wants your thoughts on their paperwork rules to make things easier and less time-consuming. If you’re involved in alcohol or tobacco businesses, these changes could affect how you report info. You’ve got until April 13, 2026, to share your comments—so don’t miss out on shaping the process and possibly saving time and money!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Personnel Questionnaire Requirement Remains
People seeking certain alcohol or tobacco permits must continue to use TTB Form F 5000.9 (Personnel Questionnaire) to give identity, business history, and criminal record information. TTB estimates 8,400 annual respondents, one response each, 50 minutes per response, totaling 7,000 burden hours, and is submitting the collection for extension.
Denatured Spirits Letterhead Notices Continue
SDS dealers and manufacturers using or recovering specially denatured spirits must submit letterhead applications or notices to TTB for permit changes, alternate methods, formulas, losses in transit, and related matters. TTB estimates 3,800 respondents, one response each, 30 minutes per response, totaling 1,900 hours annually; the collection is being extended.
Comment Window for Paperwork Rules
TTB is asking for public comments on its information collections and paperwork burden, and you must submit comments on or before April 13, 2026. TTB says this outreach is part of a continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Wine Exporters Must File Drawback Claims
Exporters of taxpaid domestic wine must use TTB Form F 5120.24 to document exportation and claim drawback of excise tax. TTB reports 5 respondents, averaging 6 responses each, 67 minutes per response, and a total burden of 33.5 hours annually; the collection is being submitted for extension.
Bonds Required for Tax-Free Transfers
Manufacturing bonded warehouse proprietors must file either a specific transportation bond (TTB F 5100.12) or a continuing transportation bond (TTB F 5110.67) to cover tax-free transfers of distilled spirits or wine to a manufacturing bonded warehouse. TTB estimates 50 respondents, one response each, 1 hour per response, totaling 50 hours per year; this collection is being extended.
Distilled Spirits Plants Recordkeeping Rule
Distilled spirits plant (DSP) proprietors must keep usual and customary transaction and supporting records under 27 CFR (for production, storage, denaturing, and processing). TTB estimates 5,800 respondents and states this information collection imposes no additional hourly burden because the records are kept in the normal course of business, though TTB reports increasing the number of respondents due to growth in DSPs.
COLAs Online Access Registration Required
Bottlers and importers who want to use TTB's COLAs Online system must submit a COLAs Online Access Request (TTB F 5013.2) to get approval; TTB estimates 5,100 respondents, one response each, 18 minutes per response, totaling 1,530 hours annually, and is extending the collection.
Surveys to Improve Online Application Systems
TTB will continue customer satisfaction surveys for its Permits Online (PONL), Formulas Online (FONL), and COLAs Online systems to identify needs and improve services. TTB estimates 18,000 respondents, one response each, 12 minutes per response, totaling 3,600 hours annually; the collection is being extended.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16701, Establishment of the Columbia Hills Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) establishes the 29,387-acre "Columbia Hills" American viticultural area (AVA) in Klickitat County, Washington. The newly established AVA is located entirely within the existing Columbia Valley viticultural area. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.
2026-16668, Proposed Establishment of the Kaw Valley Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 3,515,482-acre (5,493-square mile) "Kaw Valley" American viticultural area in northeastern Kansas. The proposed viticultural area is not within any other established viticultural area. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
2026-16669, Proposed Establishment of the Mill Creek-Walla Walla Valley Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 4,898-acre "Mill Creek--Walla Walla Valley" American viticultural area (AVA) in Walla Walla County, Washington. The proposed viticultural area lies entirely within the established Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
2026-16670, Proposed Establishment of the Llano Uplift and Hickory Sands District Viticultural Areas
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the 2,096-square mile "Llano Uplift" American viticultural area (AVA) in portions of Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and San Saba Counties in Texas. The proposed AVA entirely encompasses the established Bell Mountain AVA. TTB is also proposing to establish the 193-square mile "Hickory Sands District" AVA in portions of Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and San Saba Counties in Texas. TTB is proposing these two AVAs simultaneously because, if established, the proposed Hickory Sands District AVA would be located entirely within the proposed Llano Uplift AVA. Additionally, both proposed AVAs are located entirely within the boundaries of the existing Texas Hill Country AVA. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites comments on these proposals.
2026-16671, Proposed Establishment of the Rancho Santa Fe Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the 15,827-acre "Rancho Santa Fe" American viticultural area (AVA) in San Diego County, California. The proposed AVA is located entirely within the existing South Coast AVA. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites comments on these proposals.
2026-05731, Establishment of the Nine Lakes of East Tennessee Viticultural Area
Starting April 23, 2026, the Nine Lakes of East Tennessee becomes an official wine region, covering over 4,000 square miles in northeastern Tennessee. This new American Viticultural Area (AVA) helps local winemakers proudly label their wines with a unique origin, making it easier for wine lovers to find and enjoy wines from this special spot. No extra costs or changes for consumers, just a fresh new name on the wine map!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02811, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request on Burden Related to Form 1120-ND, Return for Nuclear Decommissioning Funds and Certain Related Persons
The IRS wants your thoughts on the paperwork for Form 1120-ND, which is used by nuclear decommissioning funds and related folks to report taxes. They’re checking if the form is clear, useful, and not too much work, aiming to keep things smooth and fair. If you’re involved, send your comments by April 13, 2026, to help shape the process and possibly save time and money.
Next: 2026-02816, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request Burden Related to the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program
The IRS wants your thoughts on how it collects info for the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program, which helps boost investments in poorer neighborhoods. They’re checking if the paperwork is fair and not too much work, aiming to keep things clear and easy. If you have ideas or concerns, send them by April 13, 2026—this could affect how much time and money folks spend on the program.