In New Hampshire, alcohol is not completely tax-free. While the state does not have a sales tax, it does levy taxes on alcoholic beverages. The tax rates vary depending on the type of alcohol and where it is purchased.
One important thing to note is that New Hampshire controls all liquor sales in the state. This means that the state itself operates the retail shops where alcohol is sold. As a result, the state is able to impose its own taxes on these sales.
For distilled spirits, such as whiskey, vodka, and rum, the tax is a flat rate of 30 cents per gallon. This tax applies to all distilled spirits sold at state-owned retail shops. It is worth mentioning that this tax is relatively low compared to other states, where the taxes on distilled spirits can be much higher.
For wine, the tax is slightly different. Instead of a flat rate, New Hampshire imposes a tax of 5 percent on all domestic wine sales. This means that the tax is a percentage of the price of the wine. It is important to note that this tax only applies to wine sold at state-owned retail shops.
It is worth mentioning that New Hampshire does not have a tax on beer or any other type of malt beverages. This means that if you purchase beer in New Hampshire, you will not have to pay any additional taxes on top of the price of the beer itself.
In my personal experience as a sommelier and brewer, I have found that the lack of sales tax on alcohol in New Hampshire can be quite appealing to consumers. It means that the price you see on the shelf is the price you pay at the register, with no additional taxes added.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the state does levy taxes on alcohol in the form of the 30-cent per gallon tax on distilled spirits and the 5 percent tax on domestic wine sales at state-owned retail shops. These taxes help to generate revenue for the state and contribute to the overall cost of purchasing alcoholic beverages in New Hampshire.
While New Hampshire does not have a sales tax on alcohol, it does impose specific taxes on certain types of alcoholic beverages. Distilled spirits are subject to a flat 30-cent per gallon tax, while domestic wine sales at state-owned retail shops are subject to a 5 percent tax. Beer and other malt beverages, however, are not taxed in New Hampshire.