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TTP Postpones Tax And Other Filing Due Dates

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TTB is postponing the following filing and payment due dates for 90-days where the original due date falls on or after March 1, 2020, through July 1, 2020:
 
https://www.ttb.gov/industry-circulars/ttb-industry-circulars-2020-2
 
Tax payment due dates for wine, beer, distilled spirits, tobacco products, cigarette papers and tubes, firearms, and ammunition excise taxes.
Filing due dates for excise tax returns.
Filing due dates for submission of operational reports.
Filing due dates for claims for credit or refund by producers.
Filing due dates for claims by manufacturers of nonbeverage products.
Due dates for submission of export documentation.T

Governor Wolf Orders All Law Offices To Close

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Governor Wolf has ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses, including law offices, to close effective immediately. The governor’s order, remains in effect until further notice. The order allows “virtual or telework operations (e.g., work from home), so long as social distancing and other mitigation measures are followed in such operations.

We are all facing an unprecedented situation. As COVID-19 continues to spread, there’s nothing more important to us than the well-being of our clients. Pennsylvania Winery and Hospitality Lawyer has operated virtually for over a decade and we will continue to do so throughout these difficult times. Trust that you will be able to reach us so that we may continue to serve your legal, contract, or business needs that are important to your wine or hospitality business.

While these times are unprecedented and circumstances are fluid, we also know that they are temporary. We are inspired to see our people and community coming together. Please take care of yourselves, your family and the ones you love. We look forward to serving you.

Judy M. Young, Esq.

Principal, Pennsylvania Winery and Hospitality Lawyer

 

Letting Go Can Be Bittersweet

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As a graduate of Windows Wine School it was a privilege to have taken instruction under the world’s premier wine educator Kevin Zraly. And now that Windows Wine School is coming to a close its bittersweet to share Dorothy Gaiter’s article with you: Kevin Zraly Says He Has To ‘Let Go’ Of Windows   All good things must come to a close in 2016 but the good news is, when one door closes another opens. We look for more goodness from the Master in the years to come.

 

ALCOHOL LAW CHANGES COME TO PENNSYLVANIA

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Effective August 8, 2016, Act. 39 amendments to the Pennsylvania Liquor Code signed into law by Governor Wolk become effective. The Act is aimed at increasing the availability and promotion of Pennsylvania alcohol products. The Pennslyvania Liquor Control Board has issued a SUMMARY of information relevant to Licensees. The act is aimed at creating parity between its categories of manufacturers.

Of particular interest, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has created a new direct wine shipper license (DWS) wherein a wine manufacturer may ship up to 36 cases of wine to Pennsylvania residents within a calendar year for personal use regardless whether produced in Pennsylvania, another state, or country. All wine however must be transported via a Pennsylvania licensed transporter-for-hire.

The big news of course it that those entities holding a restaurant or hotel license, the new law allows for the sale of wine up to three liters per single transaction, a matter of interest to the growing number of grocery stores.

Act 39 expands the availability of special exposition permits for Pennsylvania ciders, breweries, and distilleries which where historically only available to Pennsylvania Limited Wineries.

For more on this new change in law click here: Summary of Changes In Alcohol Law in PA.

HOW WILL YOUR PENNSYLVANIA WINERY OR WINE BASED BUSINESS TAKE SHAPE IN 2016?

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successhospitalityHappy New Year to all. I can’t believe another year has come and gone already. For myself, as the new year turns I’m taking a moment to reflect back on how well I achieved the goals I set for myself last year and to create new ones. Hence, it’s been a good time to dust off the old business plan to reflect on progress made or the lack thereof. In other words, I’m holding myself accountable for doing what I told myself I was going to do. So far, my persistence and diligence is bearing fruit for those new goals I’ve taken on. I’m also looking to scrap those goals that aren’t working.

I know some of you are contemplating taking the plunge this year to establish your own winery or wine based business. If so, this is a great time to lay your foundation towards developing a successful winery or wine and hospitality based business by creating your business plan.

Creating a business plan forces you to focus on identifying your goals and objectives as well as how to set plans on how to reach them. In other words, where do you see your business 1 year from now, 3 years from now, or even 5 years from now? Who are your customers? What specific products will you offer? Have you identified your competition? What are your start up costs and sources of funds? What is your mission? Who is your target market? How will you manage the local, state, and federal regulations governing the business of alcohol? Exactly how will your business take shape in 2016?

These are just a few questions to think about when starting your own winery, wine or hospitality based business. As the beginning of the year unfolds, use this time to build your business plan and set achievable goals. Your business plan will keep you on the right track in 2016 and the years to follow.

Does Alternative Lending For Your Pennsylvania Wine Or Hospitalty Business Sound Enticing?

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We can all probably agree that building your new winery or hospitality business takes hard work, dedication, perseverance and boatload of money. Whereas the baby boomer generation typically relied on traditional forms of financing such as bank loans, savings accounts, small business administration loans and daddy, today’s millennial entrepreneurs are turning to non-traditional forms of financing and lending sources. seed$images

Millennial hospitality and wine business entrepreneurs who have struggled to find access to capital are relying now on more organic ways to fund their wine and hospitality businesses. One such way is by pursuing alternative crowd-funding financing. Crowd-funding, also known as peer-to peer lending, is a popular and growing alternative method of raising money.

Unlike an angel investment in which one person typically takes a larger stake in a small business, crowd-funding attracts a crowd of people, each of who take a small stake in a business by contributing towards an online funding target. Its main benefit is the creation of a strong network of support for your business. Your investors often become your evangelists for your brand.

On such crowd funding source is Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com). Typically there is no cost to launch a crowd-funding campaign. If you business is successful in its funding, Kickstarter takes a small fee plus payment processing. If your campaign fails, there are no fees.

Crowd-funding can provide a fantastic opportunity but it should not be taken lightly. You may wish to contact your lawyer or CPA for professional assistance. For more help and information on this alternative financing source, you should also consult the Small Business Administration’s (www.SBA.GOV) online course on Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs.

Now go out there and “show me the money.”

May Your Holiday Wishes Be Filled With Good Wine and Cheer!

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Happy holidays and best wishes from the Law Offices of Judy M. Young, LLC. Its hard to believe its been almost eightchristmas-holiday-wallpaper years since the launch of Pennsylvania Winery and Hospitality Lawyer. Its been a real joy and a blessing to serve the needs of the Pennsylvania wine and hospitality community. As 2015 approaches, we look forward to serving your future legal needs. We hope your new year is filled with good health, happiness, and cheer.

Pennsylvania Wine Bloggers: Who’s Got The Juice In 2014?

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The public voting is complete for the 2014 Wine Blog Awards. The public has spoken and these lucky winners are the folks who’ve got the juice! A special shout out to Philly’s own Wine School of Pennsylvania. You do Pennsylvania proud.

Best Blog Post of the Year

Lauren Mowery’s Turkish Wines: Vinkara Winery Working to Preserve Indigenous Varieties with Delicious Results, from the blog, Chasing the Vine.

Best Original Photography or Video on a Wine Blog

Jordan Winery’s blog, The Journey of Jordan Winery, organized by Lisa Mattson.

Best Industry/Business Wine Blog:

Tom Wark’s Fermentation: The Daily Wine blog

Best Wine Reviews on a Wine Blog:

Wine School of Philadelphia

Best Single Subject Wine Blog:

Washington Wine Report

Best Winery Blog:

The Lynmar Life

Best Writing On a Wine Blog:

HoseMaster of Wine

Best New Wine Blog:

Girl and the Grape

Best Overall Wine Blog:

Jamie Goode’s Wine Blog

PLCB Regulatory Changes Comes To Pennsylvania Limited Wineries

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Effective March 1, 2014, the Pennslyvania Liquor Control Board announced regulatory changes that affect Limited Winery Licensees around the state. The PLCB has eliminated the requirement that prohibited in state wineries from selling bottles for less than the same wine sells for at the state operated Wine and Spirit Stores. The recent change is designed to promote in-state wineries. For more read: PLCB Changes Allow Wineries To Sell Products Below The State Sell Price.