Subdivision 1.Monthly returns; manufacturers, wholesalers, brewers, or importers.

On or before the 18th day of each calendar month following the month in which a licensed manufacturer or wholesaler first sells wine and distilled spirits within the state, or a brewer or importer first sells or imports fermented malt beverages, or a wholesaler knowingly acquires title to or possession of untaxed fermented malt beverages, the licensed manufacturer, wholesaler, brewer, or importer liable for the excise tax must file a return with the commissioner, and in addition must keep records and render reports as required by the commissioner. The commissioner shall prescribe the content, format, and manner of returns pursuant to section 270C.30. The returns must contain any other information required by the commissioner. Returns must be accompanied by a remittance for the full unpaid tax liability. Returns must be filed regardless of whether a tax is due.

Subd. 2.Monthly use tax returns; consumers.

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On or before the 18th day of each calendar month, a consumer who has acquired title to or possession of wine, distilled spirits, or fermented malt beverages for use or storage in this state, upon which wine, distilled spirits, or fermented malt beverages the tax imposed by this chapter has not been paid, shall file a return with the commissioner in the month following the month in which the consumer obtains title to or possession of the wine, distilled spirits, or fermented malt beverages. Returns must be made in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner and must contain any other information required by the commissioner. Returns must be accompanied by a remittance for the full unpaid tax liability.

Subd. 3.Common carrier returns.

A common carrier engaged in interstate transportation of passengers must file monthly reports together with the tax payment on the sale of alcoholic beverages sold in Minnesota. The report and payment must be filed by the 18th day of the month following the month in which the sale took place. A common carrier is permitted to use a formula for the allocation of the total sales of alcoholic beverages among states on the basis of passenger miles in each state or some other method of allocation if written approval is received from the commissioner.

Subd. 4.Extensions.

When in the commissioner’s judgment, good cause exists, the commissioner may extend the time for filing liquor tax returns for not more than six months. The commissioner may require the taxpayer to file a tentative return when the regularly required return is due, and pay a tax on the basis of the tentative return at the times required for the payment of taxes on the basis of the regularly required return.

Subd. 5.

[Repealed, 2000 c 490 art 10 s 22]

Subd. 6.Electronic payments.

A licensed brewer, importer, or wholesaler having an excise tax liability of $10,000 or more during a fiscal year ending June 30 must remit all excise tax liabilities in all subsequent calendar years by electronic means.

Subd. 7.Order payments credited.

All payments received may, in the discretion of the commissioner, be credited first to the oldest liability not secured by a judgment or lien, but in all cases must be credited first to penalties, next to interest, and then to the tax due.

Subd. 8.Interest.

The amount of tax not timely paid bears interest at the rate specified in section 270C.40 from the time the tax should have been paid until paid. Any penalty imposed by this chapter bears interest from the date provided in section 270C.40, subdivision 3, to the date of payment of the penalty. Any interest and penalty is added to the tax and collected as a part of it.

Subd. 9.Accelerated tax payment; penalty.

A person liable for tax under this chapter having a liability of $250,000 or more during a fiscal year ending June 30, shall remit the June liability for the next year in the following manner:

(a) Two business days before June 30 of calendar year 2021, the taxpayer shall remit the actual May liability and 87.5 percent of the estimated June liability to the commissioner and file the return in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. Two business days before June 30 of calendar year 2022 and each calendar year thereafter, the distributor must remit the actual May liability and 84.5 percent of the estimated June liability to the commissioner and file the return in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.

(b) On or before August 18 of the year, the taxpayer shall submit a return showing the actual June liability and pay any additional amount of tax not remitted in June. A penalty is imposed equal to ten percent of the amount of June liability required to be paid in June less the amount remitted in June. However, the penalty is not imposed if the amount remitted in June equals:

(1) for calendar year 2021, the lesser of 87.5 percent of the actual June liability for that calendar year or 87.5 percent of the May liability for that calendar year; or

(2) for calendar year 2022 and each calendar year thereafter, the lesser of 84.5 percent of the actual June liability for that calendar year or 84.5 percent of the May liability for that calendar year.

Subd. 10.Quarterly and annual payments and returns.

(a) If a manufacturer, wholesaler, brewer, or importer has an average liquor tax liability equal to or less than $500 per month in any quarter of a calendar year, and has substantially complied with the state tax laws during the preceding four calendar quarters, the manufacturer, wholesaler, brewer, or importer may request authorization to file and pay the taxes quarterly in subsequent calendar quarters. The authorization remains in effect during the period in which the manufacturer’s, wholesaler’s, brewer’s, or importer’s quarterly returns reflect liquor tax liabilities of less than $1,500 and there is continued compliance with state tax laws.

(b) If a manufacturer, wholesaler, brewer, or importer has an average liquor tax liability equal to or less than $100 per month during a calendar year, and has substantially complied with the state tax laws during that period, the manufacturer, wholesaler, brewer, or importer may request authorization to file and pay the taxes annually in subsequent years. The authorization remains in effect during the period in which the manufacturer’s, wholesaler’s, brewer’s, or importer’s annual returns reflect liquor tax liabilities of less than $1,200 and there is continued compliance with state tax laws.

(c) The commissioner may also grant quarterly or annual filing and payment authorizations to manufacturers, wholesalers, brewers, or importers if the commissioner concludes that the manufacturer’s, wholesaler’s, brewer’s, or importer’s future tax liabilities will be less than the monthly totals identified in paragraphs (a) and (b). An authorization granted under this paragraph is subject to the same conditions as an authorization granted under paragraphs (a) and (b).

(d) The annual tax return and payments must be filed and paid on or before the 18th day of January following the calendar year. The quarterly returns and payments must be filed and paid on or before April 18 for the quarter ending March 31, on or before July 18 for the quarter ending June 30, on or before October 18 for the quarter ending September 30, and on or before January 18 for the quarter ending December 31.