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BOE reclassifies flavored malt beverages as hard liquor

Monday, November 19, 2007

BOE reclassifies flavored malt beverages as hard liquor

The five-member Board of Equalization approved regulations on November 15, 2007, to reclassify flavored malt beverages, such as Mike's Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice, as distilled spirits instead of beers. This reclassification means an increase in tax from 20 cents per gallon to $3.30 per gallon.

The regulations now go to the Office of Administrative Law for approval. If approved, implementation is slated for July 1, 2008. (Proposed 18 Cal. Code Regs. §2558, 2559, 2559.1, 2559.3, 2559.5)

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