When the federal government shuts down, many agencies grind to a halt – and for alcohol industry members, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is one of the most critical agencies affected. Whether you’re a distiller waiting on a formula approval, a winery submitting a new label, or a brewery planning to expand, the shutdown can have a direct impact on your operations.
The TTB has a formal contingency plan that identifies which of its functions are considered “excepted” (and therefore continue) and which ones stop until funding resumes. Here’s a breakdown of what keeps running – and what doesn’t – during a shutdown.
✅ TTB Services That Continue (Essential Functions)
| Function | Notes / Details |
|---|---|
| Processing excise tax returns with remittances | Returns with payments will still be received and processed |
| Minimal IT operations to protect systems | Ensures no data loss or corruption |
| Protecting statutes of limitations, liens, seizures | Preserves government revenue and legal claims |
| Protection / security of federal property | Safeguards records and facilities |
| Criminal law enforcement activities | Criminal investigations and enforcement remain active |
| Puerto Rico field office operations | Funded by mandatory accounts outside of annual appropriations |
| Enforcement of trade practice provisions under the FAA Act | Supported by multiyear appropriations. |
⛔ TTB Services That Stop (Suspended During Shutdown)
| Function | Impact / Industry Effect |
|---|---|
| Permit applications (new, modifications, updates) | Businesses cannot get new permits or make changes |
| Certificate of Label Approval (COLAs) | No new labels approved; product launches delayed |
| Formula applications / reviews | New or updated formulas not processed |
| Laboratory services | TTB lab testing suspended |
| Noncriminal audits, investigations, return exams | Routine oversight paused |
| Tax returns without remittances | Suspended until government reopens |
| Drawback claims (nonbeverage products) | Refund processing paused |
| Administrative support & customer service | Phone/email support and routine correspondence halted |
👉 In short: if you owe the government money, that process continues. But if you need government approvals to move your business forward – labels, permits, formulas – you’ll likely be stuck waiting until the shutdown ends.