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Most retailers have been posting the pre-tax prices for liquor in the month since sales began at private stores. That meant the price at the register was a lot higher than advertised.

No more sticker shock on Washington liquor prices

BY MyNorthwest.com  on July 6, 2012 @ 2:03 pm (Updated: 3:44 pm - 7/6/12 )

Some stores that sell alcohol in Washington will be changing their advertised prices to prevent sticker shock.

Most retailers have been posting the pre-tax prices for liquor in the month since sales began at private stores. That meant the price at the register was a lot higher than advertised.

The Seattle Times reports Metropolitan Market and Total Wine are now posting the prices including taxes. Costco plans to start posting the price after taxes as well.

Safeway is still considering the measure. Fred Meyer and QFC grocery stores, however, will continue to post the pre-tax prices for alcoholic beverages.

Since alcohol was privatized June 1, prices have increased because of the distributor and seller mark-ups, as well as the state taxes.

The alcohol and liter-quantity taxes can add $5-$15 per bottle in taxes at the register, depending on the size of the bottle.

The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group that tracks tax rates including sales taxes in states across the U.S., says that Washington liquor taxes were the highest in the country.

Currently, consumers pay $13.50 per gallon in federal excise taxes and $3.77 per liter in state taxes, which were present under the old state-owned system. As of June 1, individuals must also pay a new 20.5 percent liquor tax on all purchases.

Retailers and distributors are also taxed.

Stores must pay an annual license fee equal to 17 percent of their gross revenues from alcohol, and $166 to renew the license.

Distributors must pay 10 percent of gross revenues to renew their licenses.

97.3 KIRO Reporter Chris Sullivan contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (21)


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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    And all you who thought this was going to be a money saver,
    July 6, 2012 3:00 pm
    Yea, right!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Amorget wrote...
    Wait a few years
    July 6, 2012 3:04 pm
    And see where prices area. Also, I've seen prices dropping on certain items already. At QFC the 750ml of Jack Daniels and JD with Honey dropped from it's starting price of around 21-22 to 15.99.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Amorget wrote...
    Just checked
    July 6, 2012 3:07 pm
    I paid 24.95 for JD w/ honey from the Washington State Liquor store, which means that the price has gone down significantly already.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Geesh Ha Ha
    July 7, 2012 12:17 pm
    I thought you were FOR free enterprise??? Getting the State OUT of the Booze Biz is a GOOD THING.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fourstringfuror wrote...
    Give it time
    July 6, 2012 3:06 pm
    I would rather pay more for liquor at Safeway than drive to a government supplier and pay a little less.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fourstringfuror wrote...
    Costco
    July 6, 2012 3:08 pm
    Not mention Costco sells their own bourbon now, and vodka. In my opinion, the bourbon is really good, and half the price of a comparable bourbon.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    Drinking
    July 6, 2012 5:13 pm
    Is patriotic! You are paying taxes that support Government operations. Voting out the obstructionist Democrat Governor and her party is practical. A common sense approach to taxation and pricing will put an end to high prices and people seeking alternative sources for the liqour they will consume.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    If drinking is so patriotic............
    July 7, 2012 6:13 am
    Why wasn't Ted Kennedy ever elected president ?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rikki Doxx wrote...
    So How Much Do You Pay?
    July 6, 2012 5:29 pm
    So how much is added to a $7.49 bottle of vodka?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ottmilkr wrote...
    Don't complain Conservatives
    July 6, 2012 6:13 pm
    Liquor is now being sold by non Union people, and Private individuals are profitting of it. To a Conservatve that should be a perfect world.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    @ ottmilr
    July 8, 2012 7:34 am
    who do you think sets the liquor tax rates? The Govt is still profiting.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    I saw a sign on the side of the road. It read.
    July 6, 2012 6:14 pm
    "It has been -217- days since CH wrota anything worht reading."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • AJ O'Carrell wrote...
    Cat Stevens
    July 6, 2012 8:04 pm
    CH is being followed by a moondoggie, moondoggie, moondoggie..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Troll Hunter wrote...
    legalize marijuana
    July 6, 2012 9:05 pm
    We now have conclusive evidence; addicts are willing to pay huge taxes for the drug of their choice. Since alcohol drinkers are willing to pay a obsene 20.5% tax to buy their booze, pot smokers would gladly pay huge taxes to legally smoke. Huge revenue for state, everyone happy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zagnut wrote...
    All I know is my booze of choice is less expensive and much more convenient to purchase.
    July 7, 2012 4:52 am
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }