A bill that was introduced during the 2024 Legislature by Rep. Michaela Lara Cadena (D-Dona Ana) would have shifted the liquor excise tax collection burden from wholesaler sellers of alcohol to retailers. The bill, which appeared to be favored over other liquor tax bills, is likely to be brought up during Interim Committee meetings starting this fall.
The Cadena bill, as it was introduced earlier this year, is problematic because you — the retailer or bar owner — would be obligated to invest in expensive tax collection software to keep track of the many rates included in the bill.
For example, retailers that sell beer, wine, and spirits from their bar or market would be responsible for collecting three different tax rates – a different rate for each type of beverage. Make that four if you run a market that sells non-taxable food like lettuce, and five if you also sell hot food for immediate consumption or taxable household staples like paper towels.
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