§ 28-3-190 — Levy of Tax; Collection; Disposition of Proceeds by Localities; Enforcement and Administration; Penalties; Exclusive Nature of Tax

Alabama § 28-3-190

• Jurisdiction: Alabama
• Title 28: Intoxicating Liquor, Malt Beverages and Wine
• Ch. 3: Regulation and Control of Alcoholic Beverages in Wet Counties
• Art. 5B: Excise Tax on Beer

Text

(a) Levy. In addition to the excise tax levied by Article 5A of Chapter 3 of this title and the licenses provided for by Chapter 3A of this title and by Section 28-3-194, and any acts amendatory thereof, supplementary thereto or substituted therefor, and municipal and county licenses, there is hereby levied a privilege or excise tax on every person licensed under the provisions of Chapter 3A who sells, stores, or receives for the purpose of distribution, to any person, firm, corporation, club, or association within the State of Alabama any beer. The tax levied hereby shall be measured by and graduated in accordance with the volume of sales by such person of beer, and shall be an amount equal to one and six hundred twenty-five thousands cents (1.625 cents) for each four fluid ounces or fractional part thereof.
(b) Collection. The tax levied by subsection (a) of this section shall be added to the sales price of all beer sold, and shall be collected from the purchasers. It shall be unlawful for any person who is required to pay the tax in the first instance to fail or refuse to add to the sales price and collect from the purchaser the required amount of tax, it being the intent and purpose of this provision that the tax levied is in fact a tax on the consumer, with the person, firm, corporation, club or association who pays the tax in the first instance acting merely as an agent of the county or municipality for the collection and payment of the tax.
The tax levied by subsection (a) of this section shall be collected by a return in the form as prescribed or approved by the collection authority of the county or municipality, which shall be filed by the wholesaler with the wet county and wet municipality where sold postmarked not later than the 15th day of the month following the month during which the beer is sold, which return shall be accompanied by the remittance of the tax due; provided, where the taxes are timely paid, the tax due shall be discounted by two and one-half percent, which discount shall, subject to the provisions of Section 28-3-195, be retained by the wholesaler for collecting the tax.
The county and municipality each shall have the authority to inspect, examine and audit the books and records of any person, firm, corporation, club, or association who sells, stores, or receives for the purpose of distribution, any beer, to determine the accuracy of any return required to be filed with it.
The county shall have the authority to require any beer wholesaler not having a place of business within that county, who makes any sale, distribution or delivery of beer within the county to first obtain a permit from the beer tax collection authority of the county collecting the tax levied by this article.
The county and municipality shall have the authority to require any wholesale beer licensee, who sells, distributes or delivers beer within the county, to file with the tax collection authority a bond in the penal sum not to exceed twice the amount of the average monthly tax due by the licensee to such authority estimated by such tax collection authority, conditioned upon the payment of the tax on beer levied by this article to become due by the licensee.
(c) Disposition of proceeds. The proceeds of the tax levied by subsection (a) of this section shall be paid and distributed as follows:
(1) Except as hereinafter provided in subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection (c), one and six hundred twenty-five thousandths cents (1.625 cents) per four fluid ounces or fractional part thereof shall be paid by wholesale licensees on their sales either into the treasury of the wet municipality in which the beer was sold or delivered by a wholesaler to a retailer within its corporate limits, or, where sold outside the corporate limits of any municipality, into the treasury of the wet county in which the beer was sold or delivered by the wholesaler to a retailer.
(2) Provided, however, such tax shall otherwise be paid and disposed of in the following counties, as hereinafter set forth:
a. Autauga County: The entire amount of the tax collected on sales outside of the area comprised by the corporate limits and police jurisdictions of the Cities of Prattville and Autaugaville shall be paid to the Autauga County Commission. Outside the corporate limits but within the police jurisdictions of the municipalities, two-thirds of the amount of the tax shall be paid to the county commission and one-third shall be paid to the respective municipality. Within the actual corporate limits of Autaugaville and Prattville, two-thirds of the tax shall be paid to the governing body of the respective municipality and one-third shall be paid to the county commission.
b. Baldwin County: The taxes shall be paid as follows:
1. All the taxes collected on sales within the corporate limits of any municipality shall be paid to the municipality.
2. One-half the taxes collected on sales within the police jurisdiction of any municipality shall be paid to the municipality and the remaining one-half shall be paid to the county.
3. All of the taxes on sales outside the corporate limits of any municipality and outside of any police jurisdiction shall be paid to the local board of education with the funds to be used for capital outlay, maintenance of existing buildings and instructional materials.
c. Calhoun County: The entire amount of the tax shall be collected by the Calhoun County Probate Judge and paid to the Calhoun County Commission. All such taxes, after first reimbursing the county general fund for expenses incurred in administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed as follows:
1. Six-ninths of the total amount of the tax shall be turned over by it to the custodian of county school funds. The county board of education shall immediately divide the funds with the city boards of education within the county on the same basis as the total calculated costs of the Foundation Program for the local boards of education within the county.
2. One-ninth of the total amount of the tax or $150,000.00, whichever is greater, shall be paid to the Calhoun County Economic Development Council.
3. The balance of the total amount of the tax shall be distributed to certain municipalities as follows:
Anniston
28 1/2 %
Oxford
21 1/2 %
Jacksonsville
28%
Piedmont
17%
Hobson City
2%
Ohatchee
2%
Weaver
1%
4. All reference in the general bill to county or municipalities shall apply to the probate judge or his designated agent in Calhoun County.
d. Chambers County: The entire amount of the tax shall be paid to the Chambers County Commission or like governing body of Chambers County, which, after the payment of all cost of collection and enforcement, shall distribute the net proceeds as follows:
1. Fifty percent be prorated among the local boards of education for educational purposes on the basis of the previous year’s net enrollment of pupils;
2. Fifty percent be prorated among the Chambers County Commission General Fund and the municipalities within the county, with each municipality receiving the amount that its population bears to the entire population of the county, and the general fund of the county receiving the amount that the population of the county outside the corporate limits of the municipalities bears to the entire population of the county according to the latest federal census. In the event of the incorporation of any new municipalities, the proration shall be based on the official population of the municipality at the time of incorporation. Any annexation shall accrue to the city annexing according to the population annexed.
3. Fifteen percent of the amount prorated to the county general fund in subparagraph 2 of this paragraph shall be prorated among the fire and rescue squads located within the county.
e. Choctaw County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the probate judge and, after reimbursement of two and one-half percent for services distributed as follows:
1. One-ninth to the county general fund from which $7,000.00 shall be credited to:
(i) One-third to the Choctaw County Rescue Squad.
(ii) One-third to the Choctaw County Historical Society.
(iii) One-third to the Choctaw County Library System.
2. Of remainder, $20,000.00 to Choctaw County Board of Education.
3. Remainder up to $90,000.00 to the county and municipalities on the basis of population.
4. Of revenue in excess of $90,000.00, 20 percent to the county board of education and remainder to the county and municipalities on the basis of population.
f. Colbert County: One cent per twelve fluid ounces or fractional part thereof on all beer sold, within the county shall be paid to the probate judge and the proceeds shall be distributed by him or her as follows:
Two-fifths to the hospital fund of the county;
One-fifth to the county board of education for the benefit of the schools outside of the Cities of Sheffield and Tuscumbia;
One-tenth to the Tuscumbia Board of Education for the benefit of the schools of the City of Tuscumbia;
One-tenth to the Sheffield Board of Education for the benefit of the schools of Sheffield; and
One-fifth to the general fund of the county.
For such services, the probate judge shall be entitled to commissions of two and one-half percent of all taxes collected.
The remainder of the tax shall be paid to the municipalities where sold.
g. Conecuh County: The entire amount of the tax shall be paid to the Treasurer of Conecuh County, who, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall distribute the remainder of the proceeds of the tax as follows: one-third to be prorated between the municipalities of Evergreen, Repton and Castleberry upon the basis of their respective populations; one-third to be paid over to the general fund of the county; and one-third to be paid to the Conecuh County Board of Education to be expended for educational purposes.
h. Coosa County: The tax proceeds shall be paid by wholesalers as follows:
1. One cent per container sold within the corporate limits of the municipalities within the county shall be paid directly to the municipalities where sold.
2. The remainder of the tax shall be paid to the Coosa County Commission and shall be distributed as follows:
(i) Fifty percent shall be deposited in the public school fund of the county to be used solely for public school purposes of Coosa County.
(ii) Fifty percent shall be deposited in the general fund of the county for general purposes of the county.
i. Dale County: Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, in Dale County, the proceeds of the beer tax collected pursuant to this article shall be paid to the county commission and distributed as follows:
1. 44.17 percent to the Dale County Commission;
2. The remaining 55.83 percent of the tax shall be distributed to each municipality according to beer sales in its respective corporate limits.
j. Dallas County: The entire amount of the tax collected on sales outside of the area comprised by the corporate limits and police jurisdiction of the City of Selma shall be paid to the Dallas County Commission, except that the entire tax collected on beer sales inside the corporate limits and police jurisdiction of the Town of Orrville shall be paid as follows: 72.23 percent shall be paid to the town and 27.77 percent shall be paid to the Dallas County Commission.
The tax collected on sales inside the corporate limits of the City of Selma and its police jurisdiction shall be paid as follows: 72.23 percent to be paid to the city and its board of education, with one-third of such 72.23 percent to be paid to the city and two-thirds of such 72.23 percent to be paid to the city board of education (the Board of Education of the City of Selma); and 27.77 percent to be paid to the Dallas County Commission.
k. Elmore County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the Elmore County Commission or other governing body of Elmore County and the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed as follows: One-half of the net revenue from the tax shall be paid to Elmore County Board of Education; one-half the tax collected on sales inside the corporate limits of any municipality within the county and one-fourth of the taxes collected on sales made within the police jurisdiction of any municipality in the county shall be paid to such municipality; and the balance shall be paid into the Elmore County General Fund.
l. Escambia County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the Judge of Probate of Escambia County and the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed, as follows: Two and one-half percent to the judge of probate; 60 percent of the remainder to be prorated among the municipalities within the county upon the basis of their respective populations; and 40 percent of the remainder to be prorated among the local boards of education for educational purposes on the basis of the previous year’s net enrollment of pupils.
m. Etowah County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the Etowah County Commission and the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed, as follows:
1. For beer delivered for retail sale within the corporate limits of a municipality having a board of education, all such proceeds shall be distributed according to the following percentages: 20.83 1/3 percent to the Etowah County General Fund; 20.38 1/3 percent to the local boards of education of Etowah County, to be divided pro rata among them in accordance with the most recent average daily membership figures, to be used only for capital outlay purposes, renovation and repairs; 58.33 1/3 percent to the general fund of the municipality.
2. For beer delivered for retail sale outside the city or town limits, but within the police jurisdiction, of a municipality having a board of education, all such proceeds shall be distributed according to the following percentages: 12.50 percent to the Etowah County Board of Education, to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation and repairs; 20.83 1/3 percent to the local boards of education in Etowah County to be divided pro rata among them in accordance with the most recent average daily membership figures, to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation, and repairs; 29.16 2/3 percent to the general fund of the municipality; 37.50 percent to the Etowah County General Fund.
3. For beer delivered for retail sale within the city or town limits of a municipality not having a board of education, all such proceeds shall be distributed according to the following percentages: 20.83 1/3 percent to the Etowah County General Fund; 20.83 1/3 percent to the local boards of education in Etowah County, to be divided pro rata among them in accordance with the most recent average daily membership figures, to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation and repairs; 33.33 1/3 percent to the general fund of the municipality; 25.00 percent to the Etowah County Board of Education to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation and repairs;
4. For beer delivered for retail sale outside the city or town limits, but within the police jurisdiction of a municipality not having a board of education, all such proceeds shall be distributed according to the following percentages: 16.66 2/3 percent to the general fund of the municipality; 20.83 1/3 percent to the local boards of education within Etowah County to be divided pro rata among them in accordance with the most recent average daily membership figures, to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation and repairs; 25.00 percent to the Etowah County Board of Education, to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation and repairs, 37.50 percent to the Etowah County General Fund.
5. For beer delivered for retail sale in locations which are within the boundaries of Etowah County, Alabama, but not within the corporate limits or police jurisdiction of any municipality, all such proceeds shall be distributed according to the following percentages: 20.83 1/3 percent to the local boards of education in Etowah County divided in accordance with the most recent average daily membership figures to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation or repairs; 25.00 percent to the Etowah County Board of Education, to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation or repairs; 54.16 2/3 percent to the Etowah County General Fund.
6. For draft beer sold and delivered within all areas in Etowah County, all proceeds shall be distributed according to the following percentage: 83.33 1/3 percent to the local boards of education in Etowah County to be divided pro rata among them in accordance with the most recent average daily membership figure to be used for capital outlay purposes, renovation and repairs; 16.66 2/3 percent to the municipalities in Etowah County within which draft beer is sold at retail, to be divided among them pro rata according to the population.
n. Greene County: The entire amount of the tax shall be paid to the Judge of Probate of Greene County and distributed by him or her as follows: two and one-half percent to the probate judge as commission for collection and administration; two-fifths of the remainder to the general fund of the county; two-fifths of the remainder to the county board of education; and one-fifth prorated among the municipalities within the county upon the basis of their respective populations.
o. Hale County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the Hale County Commission or like governing body of Hale County and the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be prorated among the county and municipalities therein upon the basis of their respective populations.
p. Jefferson County: The tax as provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be paid by wholesalers to the Director of Revenue of Jefferson County. The tax received by the Director of Revenue shall be divided into Funds A, B and C. Fund A shall receive four-ninths of the tax received; Fund B shall receive two-ninths of the tax received; and Fund C shall receive three-ninths of the tax received. Funds A, B and C shall be distributed by the Director of Revenue on a monthly basis as follows:
1. Two percent of the net tax collected and placed in Fund A shall be paid to the general treasury of the county for the collection and distribution of the tax, and for the enforcement of the provisions of this article. The remaining amount in Fund A shall be distributed as follows:
(i) Two-eighths shall be paid to the county board of education for the payment of salaries of public school teachers.
(ii) Three-eighths shall be retained in the general treasury of the county.
(iii) Three-eighths shall be distributed to the incorporated municipalities within the county upon the basis of their respective populations, according to the federal census at the time the distribution is made.
2. Fund B shall be distributed to the municipalities in the county on the basis of the percentage of the beer taxed which was delivered to a retailer within the respective corporate limits of each municipality in the county.
3. Fund C shall be distributed as follows:
(i) Fifty percent, or $2,000,000.00 annually, whichever is the greater, shall be paid to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority or its successor.
(ii) The balance shall be divided between the county and the incorporated municipalities within the county upon a population basis with the municipal share determined by the respective populations of the municipalities, and the county share by the population of the unincorporated areas thereof, according to the last federal census at the time the distribution is made.
(iii) Of the total amount of the county share, five percent shall be allocated for fire protection and paramedic services and equipment in fire districts in the unincorporated areas of the county. Such distribution shall be made to each such fire district on a pro rata basis that the number of homes and businesses served in that district bears to the total number of homes and businesses served in all such fire districts in the unincorporated areas.
q. Lee County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the Lee County Commission or like governing body of Lee County and shall be distributed to the custodian of the county school fund, the custodian of the Opelika City School Fund and the custodian of the Auburn City School Fund on the same basis as the total calculated costs of the Foundation Program for the local boards of education within the county. Provided however that any subsidy received shall be paid to the City of Auburn.
r. Lowndes County: The tax proceeds shall be paid by wholesalers as follows:
1. One cent shall be distributed to municipalities in the following manner:
(i) One-third to municipalities that have an existing beer tax distributed on a population basis.
(ii) Two-thirds to go to all municipalities including those that have an existing beer tax distributed on a population basis.
2. One cent to be distributed as follows:
(i) One-twelfth to the county board of education and three-twelfths to the probate judge for services rendered.
(ii) Two-thirds to the county commission for the performance of services.
3. The remainder to be equally divided between the public school fund and the juvenile service trust fund account.
s. Macon County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the Macon County Commission or like governing body of Macon County and the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed by it as follows: Six-twelfths of the net proceeds shall be paid into the general fund of the county to be used for governmental purposes of the county as other moneys in the general fund; four-twelfths shall be apportioned and distributed to the City of Tuskegee and shall be deposited into its general fund to be used for governmental purposes of the city as other moneys in the general fund of the city are used; one-twelfth shall be apportioned and distributed to the Town of Notasulga and deposited into the general fund of the town to be used for governmental purposes of the town as are other moneys in the general fund of the town; one-twelfth shall be apportioned and distributed to the Town of Franklin and deposited into the general fund of the town to be used for governmental purposes of the town as are other moneys in the general fund of the town.
t. Madison County: The proceeds of the tax shall be paid by wholesalers to the county commission or like governing body and shall be distributed as follows:
1. One-eighteenth to the county general fund.
2. The remainder of the tax shall be distributed to the municipality where sold, including its police jurisdiction. Provided, however, that the following municipalities shall receive a dollar amount no less than the dollar amount actually received during the base year 1982:
Gurley
New Hope
Owens Crossroads
Triana
Madison
u. Marengo County: The entire amount of the tax shall be paid to the Probate Judge of Marengo County, who shall receive two and one-half percent of all taxes collected as compensation for administering this article and the remainder of the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed by him or her as follows: The municipalities shall receive the taxes paid on all sales within the corporate limits and police jurisdiction of each municipality, and the county shall receive the tax on all sales made outside the corporate limits and police jurisdictions of all municipalities within the county.
v. Mobile County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the License Commissioner of Mobile County and the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed by him or her as follows: One-half to the governing body of the municipality where the malt or brewed beverages are sold within its corporate limits; and the remainder to the Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County.
w. Perry County: The tax shall be paid to the county governing body and be distributed as follows:
1. Except as hereinafter provided in subparagraph 2 of this paragraph, the proceeds shall be distributed as follows:
(i) The taxes collected on sales within the corporate limits of the Municipality of Marion shall be paid to the municipality.
(ii) The taxes collected on sales within the corporate limits of the Municipality of Uniontown shall be paid to the municipality.
(iii) The taxes collected on sales outside the police jurisdiction of a municipality and outside the corporate limits of any municipality shall be retained by the county.
(iv) The taxes collected on sales outside of a municipality’s corporate limits but within the municipality’s police jurisdiction shall be distributed in the following manner:
Three-fourths of the tax proceeds shall be retained by the county.
One-fourth of the tax proceeds shall be paid to the municipality controlling the police jurisdiction.
2. Until the conditions set forth in this subparagraph 2 have been satisfied, one-ninth shall be deducted from each of the foregoing distributions and retained by Perry County and earmarked for the purpose of purchasing mechanical voting machines with lever action and curtain and creating an election expense fund in the amount of $20,000.00. The voting machines shall be purchased by May 1, 1982, and the election expense fund shall be used to pay board of registrars members’ compensation and for election supplies and materials, election handling, storage and other expense. When the cost of the voting machines and election expense fund have been collected by the county, the right to deduct pursuant to this subparagraph 2 shall expire and the entire proceeds shall be distributed pursuant to and in accordance with subparagraph 1 hereof.
x. Russell County: The taxes shall be paid and distributed as follows:
1. Payment of taxes collected by wholesalers.
(i) All the taxes collected on sales within the corporate limits of the Municipality of Phenix City shall be paid to the municipality.
(ii) All the taxes collected on sales within the corporate limits of the Municipality of Hurtsboro shall be paid to the municipality.
(iii) One-half the taxes collected on sales within the police jurisdiction of Phenix City and Hurtsboro shall be paid to the respective municipality and the remaining one-half shall be paid to the county.
(iv) All of the taxes on sales outside the corporate limits of any municipality and outside of any police jurisdiction shall be paid to the county.
2. Distribution of county proceeds. All such taxes, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be used equally for the county school system and the county general fund. Of the moneys going to the county general fund, half of the amount shall be distributed to the volunteer fire departments in Russell County on a per department basis, who are recognized as legal fire districts.
y. St. Clair County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the St. Clair County Commission or like governing body of St. Clair County and the net revenue, after reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be distributed by it as follows: One-third cent per four fluid ounces or fraction thereof to the governing body of each municipality where beer is sold within its corporate limits and one-sixth cent per four fluid ounces or fraction thereof to the governing body of each municipality where beer is sold within its police jurisdiction; the remainder to be distributed as follows: 25 percent to be paid to the Road and Building Fund of the General Fund of St. Clair County, which money shall be used for the operation of the St. Clair County Road Department, in the building and maintenance of all public roads and bridges in the county; 20.83 1/3 percent of the remainder to the St. Clair County Board of Education; 8.33 1/3 percent of the remainder to the St. Clair County Library Board to be used by the board for the use of libraries and/or book mobiles throughout the county; and 45.83 1/3 percent to the General Fund of St. Clair County to be disbursed by the St. Clair County governing body as other funds of the county are disbursed.
z. Shelby County: The entire amount of tax shall be paid to the Shelby County Commission or like governing body of Shelby County to the credit of its county general fund and the net revenue, after first reimbursing the county general fund for all expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of the tax, shall be disbursed as follows: Two-ninths of the net proceeds of such tax shall be paid to the Shelby County Board of Education; three-ninths of the net proceeds of such tax shall, on or before the 25th day of each month, be paid to the municipalities of Shelby County in the same ratio as the population of each municipality bears to the total population of all municipalities in Shelby County; two-ninths shall be paid into the Shelby County Law Enforcement Personnel Board Fund to be used for the purposes set forth in Act No. 79-524, Acts of Alabama 1979; and the remaining two-ninths of the net proceeds shall remain in the Shelby County General Fund to be disbursed by the county governing body.
aa. Sumter County: The entire proceeds of the tax shall be paid to the county treasurer. After the payment of all cost of collection and enforcement of the tax, the treasurer shall pay into the general fund of each incorporated municipality four-ninths of the revenue produced within the corporate limits of the municipality and the remainder shall be paid into the general fund of the county, from which $7,000.00 shall be credited to a legislative delegation fund to be controlled by the legislative delegation of Sumter County.
bb. Talladega County: The tax shall be paid to the probate judge and, after deduction of all expenses of collecting and administering the tax, the proceeds of the tax shall be distributed as follows: After determining net revenue received in the base year (county plus all municipalities), distribution of future revenue to each entity presently receiving beer tax distributions shall be in the same proportion as each entity’s revenue to the total net revenue was during the base year.
The following entities shall be entitled to a share of beer tax revenue:
Talladega County
Community of Munford
Talladega County Board
Community of Eastaboga
of Education
North Talladega County Association
City of Talladega
for Retarded Citizens, Inc.
City of Sylacauga
South Talladega County Association
City of Childersburg
for Retarded Citizens, Inc.
City of Lincoln
Provided, however, that from the county share, the sum of $6,500.00 shall be spent as follows:
1. The sum of $1,500.00 per annum shall be spent in the unincorporated community of Eastaboga for public projects for the benefit of the community;
2. The sum of $2,500.00 per annum shall be spent in the unincorporated community of Munford to provide rural health care in the existing rural health clinic in the community; and
3. The sum of $2,500.00 per annum shall be spent in the unincorporated community of Munford for youth activities, including the construction, improvement, lighting and maintenance of athletic playing fields.
The North and South Talladega County Associations for Retarded Citizens, Inc. shall receive from the county the same proportion of revenue received during the base year (1982).
Provided further, that the Talladega County Board of Education shall divide its share of the beer tax revenue between itself and the city boards of education now existing within the county on the same basis as the total calculated costs of the Foundation Program for the local boards of education within the county.
cc. Tallapoosa County: The tax, after converting all sales to cases equivalent to 24 12-ounce containers and after deducting the two and one-half percent discount authorized by this article, shall be paid by wholesalers as follows:
1. Two cents per equivalent 12-ounce container sold or delivered to retail licensees within the county shall be paid to the custodian of public school funds of Tallapoosa County and shall be used and expended for public school purposes. Such funds shall be apportioned among the local boards of education on the same basis as the total calculated costs of the Foundation Program for the local boards of education within the county.
2. The remainder of the tax shall be paid to the county commission or like governing body and distributed as follows:
56.4 percent to Alexander City
43.6 percent to the county for distribution, based on sales, either into the treasury of the municipalities (except Alexander City) in which the beer was sold or delivered by a wholesaler to a retailer within its corporate limits, or, where sold outside the corporate limits of any municipality into the treasury of the county.
3. Any subsidy received under the provisions of this article shall be distributed as provided for in subparagraph 2 above.
dd. Tuscaloosa County:
1. Forty-five percent of the tax shall be paid to the Probate Judge of Tuscaloosa County and shall by him or her be distributed in the same manner as provided in Act 556 of the 1953 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature; and 55 percent shall be paid to the Probate Judge of Tuscaloosa County and shall by him or her be distributed in accordance with Act 81-739 of the 1981 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.
2. Any subsidy received by Tuscaloosa County pursuant to Section 28-3-196 shall be paid and distributed among the county, municipalities and the Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority in accordance with the ratio of any net revenue loss of each such entity to the total subsidy paid to the county.
ee. Wilcox County: The entire tax revenue shall be paid to the Wilcox County Commission or like governing body of Wilcox County and disbursed as follows: Two and one-half percent of the gross tax receipts to be paid as to the Probate Judge of Wilcox County as a fee for the administration and enforcement; the remainder shall be disbursed as follows: 50 percent to be prorated between the incorporated municipalities in Wilcox County upon the basis of their respective populations; and 50 percent to be paid over to the general fund of the county. Provided, however, prior to the distribution provided for in this subsection, the sum of $400.00 per month shall be paid to the Wilcox County Civil Defense Agency.
(3) Or, such tax shall otherwise be paid and disposed of in accordance with and pursuant to any local act or general act of local application hereafter enacted with respect to any county directing a different disposition or apportionment of the proceeds of the tax.
(d)(1) For all purposes of enforcement of the provisions of this article, it is a prima facie presumption of law that any wholesaler or jobber subject to the article has accrued a liability for the taxes levied herein for the total amount of alcoholic beverages handled by it during any tax period under the article. The burden of proof is upon any such person to prove that any such alcoholic beverages disposed of in such a manner as not to become subject to the taxes imposed in this article were so disposed of in such a manner. It shall be the duty of any person subject to the privilege or license tax imposed by this article to keep full and complete records of all purchases, sales, receipts, inventories and of all other matters from which the correct amount of privilege or license tax to which such person is subject may be ascertained; and, in the event that such person shall discontinue his or her business, he or she shall not destroy or dispose of such records until he or she shall have given the probate judge of the county 30 days’ notice in writing of his or her intent to destroy or dispose of such records. The failure of such person to keep such records, or his or her destruction or disposition of such records without giving such notice, shall constitute a misdemeanor.
(2) Upon demand by the probate judge or his or her authorized deputy, auditor or representative, it shall be the duty of any such person subject to the privilege or license tax imposed by this article to furnish such demanding person, without delay, all such information as may be required for determination of the correct amount of privilege or license tax to which such person is subject, and to that end it shall be the duty of such person to submit to such demanding person, for inspection and examination, during reasonable hours, at such person’s place of business within the county, all books of accounts, invoices, papers, reports, memoranda containing entries showing the amount of purchases, sales, receipts, inventories, and any other information from which the correct amount of privilege or license tax to which such person is subject may be determined including exhibition of bank deposit books and bank statements; and any person failing or refusing to submit such records for such inspection and examination upon such demand, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(3) If any person subject to the provisions of this article does not have in such person’s control or possession, within the county, true and intelligible books of account, invoices, papers, reports or memoranda correctly showing the data and information necessary for determination of the correct amount of the privilege or license tax due, or if, having in such person’s possession or under such person’s control such books, invoices, papers, reports or memoranda, such person shall fail or refuse to submit and exhibit the same for inspection and examination as herein required, then, in either event, it shall be the duty of the probate judge of the county to ascertain, from such information and data as he may reasonably obtain, the correct amount of license tax due from such person and immediate payment of the amount of such privilege or license tax shall be made.
(4) All records and reports filed in the probate office under this article shall be public records and shall be open to inspection by any person during all probate office hours.
(5) The probate judge of the county shall provide rules and regulations and administrative machinery for the enforcement and collection of the privilege or license taxes authorized by this article. Each municipality within the county shall provide aid and assistance in collecting the taxes herein provided for within its territory. The probate judge may employ a person or persons to act as inspectors and otherwise to assist in the enforcement of the provisions of this article. The salary and expenses of such inspectors shall be paid out of the county general fund in such manner as is provided by law. Such inspectors shall have the same powers relative to enforcement of the taxes hereby levied that law enforcement officers employed by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board have relative to enforcing the state tax on spirituous liquors and on malt and brewed beverages. Any municipality in the county may also employ a special alcoholic beverage law enforcement officer for such municipality whose chief duty shall be enforcement of this article.
(6) In addition to all other records and reports required under this article, each wholesale distributor shall, by the twentieth day of each month, file a report with the probate judge showing his or her inventory of beer on the first day of the preceding month, by brand and type of container, his or her inventory of beer on the last day of the preceding month, an accounting for all beer broken or damaged during the preceding month, proof of state authorization for transfers to other wholesale distributors, and a record of all beer in transit to such distributor from breweries.
(7) In addition to all other records and reports required under this article, each private club shall file with the probate judge on or before the twentieth day of each month detailed inventory of all alcoholic beverages on hand on the first day and the last day of the preceding month, and a record of all purchases of alcoholic beverages made by it during the preceding month.
(8) In addition to all other reports and records required under this article, each retail beer seller shall file with the probate judge on or before the twentieth day of each month a detailed inventory of all beer on hand on the first day and the last day of the preceding month.
(9) The license of any wholesale distributor, private club, or retail seller failing or refusing to file the reports shall be suspended forthwith by the probate judge pending receipt of such report.
(e) The tax herein levied is exclusive and shall be in lieu of all other or additional local taxes and licenses, county or municipal, imposed on or measured by the sale or volume of sale of beer; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt the retail sales of beer from the levy of a tax on general retail sales by the county or municipality in the nature of, or in lieu of, a general sales tax.

Legislative History

(Acts 1982, No. 82-344, p. 473, §1; Acts 1983, No. 83-641, p. 989; Acts 1988, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 88-950, p. 571; Acts 1995, No. 95-261, p. 445, §2; Act 2014-208, p. 607, §1.)