TTB Nonbeverage Drawback Updates

Beverage grade alcohol is by default subject to federal excise taxes imposed by the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau ("TTB"). However, if the products you manufacture comply with TTB rules and regulations, TTB may refund almost all of the excise taxes paid on the alcohol purchased.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) classifies certain products made with taxpaid ethanol as “nonbeverage” products. This includes a range of food items that aren’t suitable for drinking and may qualify for drawback. Common categories include sauces, syrups, brandied fruits, alcohol-filled candies, and some baked or frozen foods. The main rule is straightforward: the alcohol has to serve a culinary purpose, like flavoring or preservation, and the finished prod

Formulas for products that include alcohol as an ingredient, and that are listed in the current editions of the United States Pharmacopoeia (U.S.P.), National Formulary (N.F.), or Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (H.P.U.S.) are automatically considered approved. These formulas can be used for drawback products without needing to submit a formula application in Formula’s Online. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Alcohol (including dehydrated alcohol and a

Manufacturers of nonbeverage products (MNBPs) that use taxpaid alcohol in their formulations have the flexibility to file TTB drawback claims on either a monthly or quarterly basis. This option is designed to better align filing practices with production activity and operational needs. For manufacturers with higher production volumes or frequent use of taxpaid alcohol, monthly filing can provide a more consistent recovery cycle, helping improve cash flow and keeping claims cu