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Texas Alcohol Sales Data: Source of Truth

Texas is known for big things—BBQ, football, and yes, alcohol sales. Bars and restaurants with Mixed Beverage (MB) licenses alone generate over $10 billion annually. Ever wondered how we get those detailed sales reports that tell us who’s selling the most drinks? You’re not alone! Texas might seem oddly transparent about this info, but it’s a real blessing. It gives us invaluable insights into what’s working—and what’s not—for venues across the state. It’s the basis for this application although the data source ain’t the prettiest thing in the world.

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Mixed Beverage Reporting: The Basics

In Texas, if your business serves mixed drinks, you have to report your sales to the Texas Comptroller every month. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Frequency: Monthly reporting.
  • Deadline: 20th day of the month after sales happen.
  • What’s Reported: All revenue from alcoholic beverages and even non-alcoholic mixers (think soda, ice, etc.).

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What’s the Deal with Texas Alcohol Taxes?

Texas has a two-tiered tax structure for mixed beverages:

  • Gross Receipts Tax: 6.25% state tax, with local jurisdictions allowed to tack on up to an additional 2%.
  • Mixed Beverage Sales Tax: Introduced in 2014, it’s another 6.7% state tax plus local taxes.
  • Who Pays? Businesses cover the Gross Receipts Tax; customers pick up the Sales Tax tab.
  • Payments: All done electronically through Texas’s Comptroller WebFile system.

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Where’s All This Data Coming From?

The juicy details on alcohol sales come straight from the Texas Comptroller’s office. Every MB license holder’s mandatory monthly tax filings become publicly available. You can check it out yourself:

These sources include the establishment’s name, location, and breakdown of monthly sales by beer, wine, and liquor.

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Why is this Data So Important?

This isn’t just fun trivia—it’s super valuable info for:

  • Business Strategy: Spot trends and consumer preferences.
  • Planning: Essential for anyone thinking about opening a new bar or restaurant.
  • Investors: Easy way to gauge potential and performance of venues.
  • Market Intelligence: A goldmine for distributors to find thriving establishments and potential new clients.

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How Can You Use This Data?

Anyone can dive into these insights through various platforms. But heads up—the raw data often needs quite a bit of processing. That means there’s a great opportunity to develop tools (like Bar Savvy!) to simplify this data, making it user-friendly and actionable.

With over 200,000 active license holders contributing to this transparent system, Texas offers a goldmine of insights for anyone interested in the alcohol industry and the businesses that rely on it.